Tag: agata
-
Today Women Claim the Streets
There’s no doubt that men dominate the annual activities of Catania’s Feast of Sant’Agata. The rituals that I’ve explained over the past few days are designed to display devotees’ physical strength and fortitude in tribute to the virgin martyr – – through expressions of traditionally male strength. However, in the past few years, women have…
-
The Feast of Sant’Agata, Day 3
My takeaway from the Festa di Sant’Agata in Catania last year was that there was a pure sense of fraternity, community, and hope among the “cittadini.” The faith that followers have for their patroness was so inspirational. And their faith in each other was as well. Taking a long view (and a New Yorker’s view),…
-
The Feast of Sant’Agata, Day 2
Last night, Catania’s Piazza del Duomo, the main city square, was jammed with onlookers awestruck by the magnificent fireworks display choreographed to symphonic music. Last year, when I witnessed it, my breath was taken away by the magnitude of the presentation. It was unlike any other pyrotechnic display I have seen! Simply stupendous! Today at…
-
The Feast of Sant’Agata, Day 1
Word spread throughout Sicily about the brutality that Agatha endured and how she stood strong in her Christian faith through it all (as recounted in the last two days’ posts). Over time, her cult grew. Folklorists will tell you that the feverish devotion for Agatha is rooted in local citizens’ ancient devotion to the virgin…
-
The Legend of Sant’Agata or Saint Agnes (Saint Agatha), Part 2
This 1786 painting by Mariano Rossi (1731-1807), The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha (on display in the Museo Civico at Castello Ursino in Catania), gives us a glimpse into the fate of our beloved Christian patroness. To recap from yesterday’s post, after the beautiful virgin Agatha refused the advances of the Roman prefect Quintianus, he arrested…
-
The Legend of Sant’Agata or Saint Agnes, Part 1
Sant’Agata was a virgin martyr who died in 251 AD. Legend is that she was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family from Catania (as depicted in the emblem, pictured, worn by followers during her feast). A faithful Christian, Agatha (or Agnes) swore herself to God. Important to know, during her lifetime, Christianity was illegal…
-
Saint Agatha’s Breasts
Make no mistake, these pastry are created to look like breasts. And, I will say also, that it is a celebration of them! I’m preparing you for the big feast in Catania. From February 3 to 5, Eastern Sicily’s largest city (and the second largest in Sicily) is alive with passionate fervor as devotees celebrate…
-
Viva Sant’Agata!
Last night, “cittadini” of Catania (or citizens) packed the streets to pay homage to their patron Sant’Agata. 4-foot tall candles lit the way for the pink-flower-decorated, silver carriage, or fercolo, that carried the Saint’s statue and her relics to all of the important locations where Agatha lived and suffered, so devotees could reflect and pray.…
-
She Gives Them Fever
Ever since I read “The Stone Boudoir” by Theresa Maggio, I’ve dreamed of going to la Festa di Sant’Agata in Catania. Maggio describes in detail the rituals of the event that is a combination of cultish religious devotion, prayer, folklore, fireworks, and culinary delights. The celebration is two nights and two days long, representing the…