The Wound to the Chest from Saint John Gospel (John 19,31-37) Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: "Not a bone of it will be broken." And again another passage says: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced."

The last breath

Jesus' aureole realized by Platimiro Fiorenza

Mary, John and Mary Magdalene can feel it, Jesus is dead. They are at the foot of the Cross, to their deep pain is added the anguish because they must assist to the cruel gesture of a centurion that thrusts Jesus’ chest with his lance .
This sacred Group was, in ancient times, called “the Crucifixion”. The Mystery was entrusted to rope-makers (ars cordareorum) by notary Melchiorre Castiglione on 17th April 1620. The economic crisis in this sector, caused by the continuous technological progress, leaded to the almost extinction of this category. Thus the inclusion of painters and decorators in the Group management was obliged by these facts. The newcomers provided new silver handmade articles, allowing a notable reconstruction of the decorations.

The origin of this Mystery is controversial. The author’s name is unknown but it is known that in 1771 it was reconstructed. The paternity of this work was at the beginning assigned to Francesco and Domenico Nolfo but recent careful studies consider Mario Ciotta or Andrea Tipa the Mystery author.

This Group depicts one of the more sad moment in all the Stations of the Cross. From Jesus’ body still transpires a quiet suffering, the death prevailed on pain and the bowed head of Jesus seems to cheer up his relatives who are at the foot of the Cross.
But the peace cannot appear on the Madonna and Giovanni faces because they must still assist to a cruel moment. Mary Magdalene, knelt at the foot of the Cross, looks with anguish to the Roman centurion. The soldier is going to transfix Jesus to verify his death, but he is not able to look at Him, his eyes are bowed and full of shame like they were invoking forgiveness.

Also this Mystery was damaged during second world war bombings in 1943. It was restored with one excellent work of Giuseppe Cafiero and in 1947, after “healing the wounds” of the war the “wound to the chest” returns in the Procession.

Most of the silver decorations are recent; among them the plate with the inscription INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum) placed on top of the Cross has a valuable embossed frame.
Two silver rings form John and Mary Magdalene’ aureoles, while Jesus and Mary’ aureole are more elaborated.
On Jesus’ head another thorn crown is made by three threads twisted. On the soldier head a panache is placed together with the silver mane on the top of a helmet. Of valuable manufacture is also the lance on the centurion hands.