“Viva Palermo e viva Santa Rosalia!” July 14 and 15 marks the Feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo. Last night was Il Festino, an event that I’ve blogged about in the past. Different from the revelry of Il Festino, on the 15th, citizens practice a solemn tradition: the clergy parade the saint’s bones through the city streets, re-enacting when, in 1624, they did the same, seeking relief from a devastating plague that killed thousands of citizens. Relief did come, and to this day, devotees pay homage to the Saint and thank her for her continued protection and healing powers.
