Since the times of Ferdinand IV, on July 2, the Madonna of Graces is celebrated in San Leucio. The King was particularly devout to the Madonna, up to the point that he named Her Patron Saint of San Leucio and jealously kept a small painting of high quality about the Madonna he dearly loved. The King dedicated to Her the Church he commissioned to architect Francesco Collecini, for the families of La Vaccheria, a small town at the borders with San Leucio, and for the workers of the near stockings factory.
On July 2, 1805 the Church was opened and it was a great celebration not only for the locals, but also for people coming from the neighbourhood. So many people visited the fair which was set up for the occasion, that the celebrations lasted for 8 days, listening to Paisiello’s concerts. Ferdinand IV gave precise directions for the organization of the celebration and ordered that his small painting of the Madonna was to be put on the altar and then to be carried during the procession through the streets of the borough.

Almost two centuries have passed since that day, and every year, on July 2, San Leucio and La Vaccheria step back in time. The precious painting is not there to be shown anymore for the procession, but a wooden statue of the Madonna is placed in the Church. San Leucio people still today desire to renovate this festivity stepping back to the Royal Colony epoch, bringing back to life habits, customs and traditions of the past, and giving life to the famous Historical Procession of the Royal Colony of San Leucio.