Santa Rosalia, as illustrated in this year’s Archi di Pasqua… Created in a mosaic style using cereals. She is depicted holding a skull, which is a reminder of our mortality.
Tag: feast
Joy In The Community Effort In Sicily
The Arches of Easter or gli Archi di Pasqua continues in San Biagio Platani until June 2. It is truly an extraordinary event to visit. Two brotherhoods of the town–the Jesus side (pictured) and the Mary side spend months preparing artwork with which they line the main street of town in celebration of Easter. Yet…
The Easter Bread Arches of San Biagio Platani
Live from Sicily! We’ve experienced so much during these past two days while in Agrigento Province. A highlight has been seeing the work of the two brotherhoods from San Biagio Platini for their annual Archi di Pane, or the Easter Bread Arches. An Easter Sunday procession that unites Jesus and Mary in the center of…
Make Bread For Saint Joseph March 10 In New York City
Make bread with Experience Sicily on Sunday, March 10 at Cacio e Vino in NYC! It’s not bread you eat, however, but decorative bread, in honor of Saint Joseph. Like what women do all over southern Italy and Sicily to honor the patron saint of fathers, carpenters, and those who toil for their work, you…
Agatha Prayed Louder
Christianity was illegal during Agata’s life in the early 3rd Century AD. So, when she refused the advances of the Roman prefect Quintianus, he arrested her and condemned her to a brothel as punishment. Having sworn herself to God, she protested participating in the activities of the brothel. As a result, Agata was thrown into…
Olivette Di Sant’Agata: Olive Marzipan for Saint Agatha
The Feast of Sant’Agata is upon us, and that means olivette di Sant’Agata (pictured) can be found throughout Catania, Sicily and beyond. Olivette are green colored marzipan “olives” that may have a bit of liquor in the mix and are coded in sugar. Why olives for Agata? Legend is that when the virgin was being…
Lucia Miraculously Delivered Sicily From The Famine
Viva Santa Lucia! Cuccìa, pictured, is a pudding made from wheat berries (or barley, spelt, or farro) prepared in honor of the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13. Cuccìa became the traditional dish of the feast because during a famine in the 17th century, Siracusans prayed to Lucia, the patroness of wheat and grain, for…
Lucia Brought Light
The pure and beautiful Lucia was known to enter the dark catacombs of Siracusa, lighting her way with a torch in order to feed less fortunate, early Christians. It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled capital was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s patron saint, Sant’Agata, who…
Rice Balls, Glorious Rice Balls
Before I continue with the significance of the December 13 Feast for Santa Lucia, let’s talk about the really serious stuff! That is, that Palermitani celebrate the Saint by eating arancine. Arancine (as they are known in Palermo, pictured right; Arancini, if you’re from the east side of Sicily, pictured left), are rice balls filled…
Santa Lucia Lunch Sun., Dec. 9 in New York City
In Siracusa, Sicily last spring, I thanked Santa Lucia for guiding me through last winter–a particularly long and arduous one for me. Now, days from the winter solstice, I invite you to join me for our annual Experience Sicily luncheon celebrating the patroness of light, eyes, sight, and wheat on Sunday, Dec. 9 in New…