Sacred Songs. The sacred songs, linked to the liturgical calendar,have evolved their own particular style within four lay brotherhoods, each with his own tradition of songs, like Stabat Mater or Miserere. The activity carried out by the brotherhoods is still today of great social importance in the whole region and it is particularly centred on the singing, providing the traditional musical accompaniment during the numerous religious, liturgical and paraliturgical ceremonies, it is also important to note that the brotherhoods provide the necessary historical continuity, the father will leave his place to the son or grandson, indispensable to keep alive this tradition which is so rooted in our popular culture. Of the four existing groups in Ceriana , three are truly lay brotherhoods while the fourth is a company; we have the brotherhood of Santa Caterina (known as the Reds), of the Church of the Visitazione (known as the Blues), of Santa Marta (known as the Greens) and the company of the Misericordia and of the Dolori (known as the Blacks) These last ones were called “I Batui” because they used to carry out penitential practices. Original text of "Canto della Passione" "Miserere di Santa Caterina" Home Page