Whether it’s in recognition of an abundance of ricotta or the success of the year’s artichoke harvest or a city’s patron saint, Sicilians celebrate with fervor! For example, during these first days of February (3, 4, and 5), in Catania, “cristiani” celebrate their patroness Sant’Agata with one of the world’s most potent religious festivals. Agata was a virgin martyr who died in 251 CE. Legend is that she was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family from Catania. A faithful Christian, Agatha swore herself to Jesus. Important to know, during her lifetime, Christianity was illegal under Roman rule. So, when she refused the strategic advances of Quintianus, a Roman prefect, he arrested her on account of her Christian faith and condemned her to a brothel as punishment. Well, Agatha was a strong-willed young woman, and there was no way she was going to break her vow of chastity to participate in the activities of the madam and her colleagues. Finding her impossible to manage, Quintianus collected her from the brothel and threw her in prison. That did little to shake Agatha’s faith in Jesus Christ, to whom she proudly prayed. The irate prefect ordered his men to torture her, the gravest of acts against her was cutting off her breasts, a terror which she survived by continuing to call upon Christ for guidance and strength. The three-day festival follows the events of Agata’s torture ordered by Quintianus. In addition to large candelabras being processed by various con-fraternities, fireworks raining over the piazza duomo, the priceless bust of the martyr being processed through the streets and up hills over two days, cittadini while chanting their devotion to the martyr carry long wax candles that when melted, coat the streets making movement difficult (just as Agata’s was when she was suffering). To witness it is a unique experience.

Next year, our Photography in Sicily workshop-tour with Don Toothaker and Hunt’s Photo will be in Catania for la Festa. Day 12 of 16 Days of Sicily | Festivals with Fervor | Whether it’s in recognition of an abundance of ricotta or the success of the year’s artichoke harvest or a city’s patron saint, Sicilians celebrate with fervor! For example, during these first days of February (3, 4, and 5), in Catania, “cristiani” celebrate their patroness Sant’Agata with one of the world’s most potent religious festivals. Agata was a virgin martyr who died in 251 CE. Legend is that she was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family from Catania. A faithful Christian, Agatha swore herself to Jesus. Important to know, during her lifetime, Christianity was illegal under Roman rule. So, when she refused the strategic advances of Quintianus, a Roman prefect, he arrested her on account of her Christian faith and condemned her to a brothel as punishment.

Well, Agatha was a strong-willed young woman, and there was no way she was going to break her vow of chastity to participate in the activities of the madam and her colleagues. Finding her impossible to manage, Quintianus collected her from the brothel and threw her in prison. That did little to shake Agatha’s faith in Jesus Christ, to whom she proudly prayed. The irate prefect ordered his men to torture her, the gravest of acts against her was cutting off her breasts, a terror which she survived by continuing to call upon Christ for guidance and strength. The three-day festival follows the events of Agata’s torture ordered by Quintianus. In addition to large candelabras being processed by various con-fraternities, fireworks raining over the piazza duomo, the priceless bust of the martyr being processed through the streets and up hills over two days, cittadini while chanting their devotion to the martyr carry long wax candles that when melted, coat the streets making movement difficult (just as Agata’s was when she was suffering). To witness it is a unique experience.

Next year, our Photography in Sicily workshop-tour with Don Toothaker and Hunt’s Photo will be in Catania for la Festa. Read more about this phenomenal travel photography experience at link in bio or at https://experiencesicily.com/photography-in-sicily-2025/