San Cesario holds a significant place in the devotion and folklore of the people of Vasto. His relics are displayed in a glass case within the crypt beneath the altar of Santa Maria Maggiore. This crypt was constructed in the mid-19th century based on a design by Nicola Maria Pietrocola. The remains of the martyr are adorned in the attire of a Roman soldier, complete with a helmet, sandals, and a gladius.
Unlike most relics, which are typically laid to rest in their cases, San Cesario’s skeleton is seated, propped up by a cushion, and appears to be in the act of rising. His face is covered with a delicate veil, once possibly painted with human features. His head is adorned with a crown of flowers and a halo made of iron wire. His arms are raised: the left holds a glass ampoule containing his blood, while the right holds the palm of martyrdom.
San Cesario is especially remembered by the older generation for his role in the collective memory of World War II.
During that time, many locals sought refuge in the crypt, praying for deliverance from the horrors of the conflict. The liberation of Vasto, which occurred in November 1943, shortly after the feast of San Cesario, was seen as a sign of the martyr’s intercession. As a result, many children born in the post-war years were named Cesario, making it one of the city’s most traditional names.
The relics of San Cesario were discovered in the Cemetery of San Castulo, located along the present-day Via Casilina in Rome. The tomb did not bear the martyr’s name but instead had an inscription reading “Zetarius Cubicoli Diocletiani Augusti”—“Servant of Emperor Diocletian’s Chambers.” It is believed that the name “Cesarius” may have originated from a phonetic resemblance to “Zetarius.” Alternatively, some speculate that the name was chosen in honor of Cesare Michelangelo d’Avalos, who donated the relics to the church where he had been baptized on November 3, 1695.
For generations, the people of Vasto have regarded San Cesario as a protector against earthquakes, believing him to be a harbinger of such events. According to legend, the saint, originally lying in repose in his tomb, rises slightly whenever an earthquake is imminent. This subtle movement serves as a warning to his faithful, encouraging them to seek safety.
However, it is said that if the saint ever assumes a fully upright seated position, it will signify the city’s impending doom, as a catastrophic earthquake will completely destroy Vasto.
