Feast of Sant’Agata, Catania

We will remember her for her miraculous acts in preventing earthquakes, volcano eruptions and other epidemics that affected Catania. According to legend, the city was under threat from a volcanic eruption on February 1, 252 (Agata had already died a year earlier). Fearful, the inhabitants of nearby villages took the veil wrapped around Agata’s tomb and used it to protect themselves from the lava flow. The eruption was stopped abruptly by the sudden color change of the white veil. It was the anniversary of her martyrdom on February 5, 2005.

The Festival starts February 3rd. It begins with a solemn noon procession from the Church of Sant’Agata alla Fornace to the Cathedral. This is where the offering of wax rite takes places. Eleven large candles represent local guilds. Two Senate carriages complete the procession. An eighteenth century sedan is followed by a smaller car that transports the city’s administrators.

The spectacular fireworks display takes place in Piazza Duomo on the same night.

In the early hours of February 4, after the Massa dell’ Aurora (Dawn Holy Mass), the bust Saint Agata is taken out of the safe room within the Cathedral, where it is kept permanently. The procession is the culmination of the crowd’s anticipation. People are moved, and there is much applause and screams. A silver carriage pulls the Saint and her relics outside the city walls. The procession moves first towards Sant’Agata alla Fornace where her martyrdom occurred. Next, it heads to Sant’Agata al Carcere. There, an olive tree is located in front of the building, which recalls how the Virgin, who fled the men of Quintianus and managed to eat its fruits. The tradition of running fast while dragging the carriage up the Cappuccini slope is also an old one. In the meantime, Catania’s locals with their traditional black skullcaps (and votive white tunics) ‘u Saccu wave a white handkerchief to invoke their Patron Saint: “Tutti Devoti tutti cittadini viva Sant’Agata . (Are we all devotees? St. Agata! “And then, another fireworks show.

The “peak” day of the feast is February 5, and it is always the most awaited. Afternoon, the cart departs Piazza Duomo for a tour within the city. It moves very slowly and crosses Etnea before reaching piazzaUniversita. The cart then moves towards piazza Stesicoro, and further to Villa Bellini. Piazza Cavour, or Piazza Borgo as it’s known by locals, is where the cart ends up. The “vara” crosses the San Giuliano slope and Quattro Canti after a spectacular fireworks display.

An exciting game of endurance between all candelore takes place “la Corsa del Cordone”, a cord pulled out by thousands (if all goes well, it means a good harvest next season). The race ends at Via Crociferi where the charmed singing by the Benedictine nuns pay homage to Saint. It is now almost a race to the Cathedral. But the light has already begun to shine. It is an emotional time. You can see the happiness on faces of people who have spent three days with their Patron. But, you also feel tired. They still shout with a last whispered voice, lit by the last fireworks, and exclaim: “Cittadini viva Sant’Agata!” . (Locals! ).

Sant’Agata’s desserts Legend and history…

In any Catania pastry shop, sweets and cakes that relate to the Virgin’s story will be available: The cassateddi also known as minni Di Sant’Aita, whose form recalls the martyrdom of the saint (she was cut from her breast to reject Quintianus’ love for the Christian faith), and the Olivette (small olives).