La Settimana Santa or Holy Week in Caltanissetta, Sicily Be transported to Sicily for Easter with an in-depth discussion about how Sicilians celebrate these most holy holidays. Holy Week in Sicily is epic, and the citizens of Caltanissetta, Sicily are serious about their celebration. Join me, Allison Scola owner/curator of Experience Sicily, for a conversation…
Tag: procession
Holy Week In Trapani, Sicily
Holy Week in Sicily .. The Processione dei Misteri (Procession of the Mysteries or the Stations of the Cross) has been celebrated for about 400 years in Trapani. This photo from 2015 shows one of 20 statue scenes that are carried throughout the city by local brotherhoods or guilds, an arduous ritual that is practiced…
Good Friday In Enna, Sicily
Live from Sicily! Yesterday, we went to the Good Friday procession in Enna, where 16 brotherhoods recognized the death of Christ with humility, covering their solemnity as to keep the focus on the commemoration. I know the costumes may trigger offensive thoughts for Americans. Please set this aside, for our association with hoods such as…
Rosalia’s Silver Urn
July 15 in Palermo is a day of masses, prayers, and concerts at the Cathedral in honor of Santa Rosalia. At 7PM, down il Cassaro, the Archbishop and Mayor of Palermo will lead a solemn procession featuring the silver urn containing the sacred relics of La Santuzza. With the intention to reenact the purification of…
Expressing Their Devotion in Enna
On Good Friday in Enna, Sicily, the hooded brotherhoods process throughout the ancient center, expressing their devotion to Jesus Christ and their patron saints. Photo credit: Filippo Buttitta (2017)
Carry That Weight
The various confraternities of the city of Enna participate in the Good Friday procession with much fervor. Photo credit: Filippo Buttitta (2017)
Thousands Pay Homage In Tindari
The preparations are well underway. Since last week, the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari, high on its promotory, has been holding nine successive days of prayer and meditation in preparation for the feast day, September 8. On September 7, in recognition of the mysterious Madonna Bruna from the east, devotees will hold a…
I am black but beautiful
Nigra sum, sed formosa = I am black but beautiful… From the Song of Songs, 1:5. The Black Madonna of Tindari is celebrated today, September 8. Black Madonnas, which are found throughout the Mediterranean basin, are venerated in localities where ancient goddesses such as Artemis, Isis, Venus, Persephone, Cybele, and Mater Dea were worshiped for centuries….
Barefoot in Palermo for La Santuzza
On September 4, 1166, Rosalia, a young woman who had sworn her life in service to Christ, died. The example she set and her protection of Sicily’s capital city is celebrated annually in Palermo with a solemn procession up Mount Pellegrino to her sanctuary. It’s a long, steep climb done by many barefoot to illustrate…
A Solemn Procession for the City
On July 15, after a day of masses, prayers, and concerts at the Cathedral, at 7 PM from the Cathedral on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the Archbishop and Mayor of Palermo will lead a solemn procession featuring the silver urn containing the sacred relics of Santa Rosalia. With the intention to reenact the purification of…