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…
Tag: catania
Sant’Agata Illustrated Strength Through Her Faith
Viva Sant’Agata! The three day mid-winter Feast of Sant’Agata is upon us! 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…
Prayers for Catania
Sending prayers and sunshine to our friends in Catania. The Piazza Duomo of Catania in 2019.
Stunning Sicily October 2021, Day 3
Ciao from Stunning Sicily, Day 3! We had the clearest weather I’ve seen in a long time on Mount Etna for our volcano excursion. It was truly exceptional! My groups often ask why they have to wake up so early for their Etna excursion. Well, today proved why–the night air clears out the smog from…
52 Reasons to Love Sicily | #32. Strolls Through Graceful Piazzas
Do an image search on Grammichele to see what this historic center looks like from a bird’s-eye view. It’s pretty neat!
52 Reasons to Love Sicily | #24. The Mother Goddess’ Presence is Everywhere
Demeter, the goddess of the grain, female fertilization, and the harvest, who is the mother of Persephone, represents the great matriarch in ancient Greek mythology. Her power to cultivate the bounties on the Earth’s surface for us are illustrated significantly during the myth of Demeter and Kore/Persephone. Before the Christian era, the Eleusinian Mysteries (as…
52 Reasons to Love Sicily | #13. Catania, Sicily’s Second City
There are dozens of outstanding restaurants (Catania is known for its culture of eating horse meat and famous for its recipe Pasta alla Norma.), an imposing castle (Ursino, now a museum hosting world-class exhibitions and a collection of ancient art), and a thriving live music scene. For me, touring the city’s World War II 1943…
Topsy-turvy Carnevale In Acireale, Sicily
Normally, this weekend would be the height of Carnevale in Acireale, Sicily. Carnevale or Carnival is the period leading up to Ash Wednesday and Lent. In pre-Christian times, this outdoor, spring festival, which took place before the arduous planting season, turned everything topsy-turvy: Masters would become the servents and servents the masters. Revelers would hide…
Devoted Cittadini! Cittadini!
Even though this year’s feast for Sant’Agata will not be on the streets because of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is in the hearts of devotees in Catania. If you close your eyes, in your mind’s eye you can hear the thousands in their call and response: “Semu tutti devoti tutti? Cittadini, Cittadini!” “Certo! Certo!” (“Are we…