The Feast Saint Calogero Agrigento combines folklore, tradition, and devotion. The celebrations last 8 days and run from the first Sunday of July. According to tradition, the “black” Saint, Calogero came to Sicily to preach the gospel and spread Christianity on the island. Saint Calogero was a preacher and took care the the sick and poor. He used the sulfur waters he discovered in the lava caves to treat sick people.
He went to the village to buy bread for the poor during a plague epidemic. People were afraid of the contagion and threw bread out of their windows. This is why devotees of Agrigento still throw small loaves with sesame seeds and fenne seeds at the statue of the miracle worker during the procession.
Many worshippers still leave their homes, often barefoot and make a pilgrimage to the Shrine to express gratitude for his graces. Children wear white dresses during the celebrations.
On the day of the Feast, a parade of drummers plays through the streets of the town among the stands selling local products. A fair is held for tools and animals.
The Alborata also opens the celebrations that morning with a shot full of firecrackers.
The wagon carrying the statue of Saint crosses the oldest streets of the town at noon, before returning to the church. In the afternoon, the wagon is again brought out, accompanied by religious and civil authorities.
The fireworks display is known as
‘a maschiata di San Calo
The torchlight procession and the statue of Saint returns to the Sanctuary
