The Confraternity of Pio Monte dei Morti was originally founded at the Church of Sant’Agostino (now the Cathedral of San Giuseppe) before moving to the Collegiata di San Pietro. In 1652, the confraternity built its own chapel, which was later adorned in the 18th century with a remarkable wooden Pietà by Neapolitan sculptor Giacomo Colombo.
The statue, commonly known as l’Addolorata, was traditionally carried in procession on the morning of Holy Saturday, a day that also included the ancient Office of Tenebrae in remembrance of the dead.
After the confraternity moved to the Church of San Francesco da Paola, the church itself became widely known among the people of Vasto as the Church of the Addolorata, due to the prominence of the statue housed there.
Today, the ancient Confraternity of Sacro Pio Monte dei Morti is once again active at the parish of San Pietro, meeting at the Church of Santa Filomena. The care of the statue of the Madonna Addolorata, however, has been entrusted to the Confraternita di Maria Santissima Addolorata, which was reformed in 2002.
Even now, on Holy Saturday morning, the confratelli solemnly carry the heavy wooden statue on their shoulders through the streets, dressed in black robes and wearing a veil secured by a crown of thorns.