'A Cerca of Collesano (Good Friday Casazza)

A procession staging the mystery of the Passion

Every year, at the crack of dawn on Good Friday, the village of Collesano, nestled in the Madonie mountains in the province of Palermo, relives one of the most evocative and deeply felt rites of the Sicilian Holy Week: 'A Cerca, also known as the Casazza. It is a true sacred representation that stages the mystery of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ along the village streets.

17th-century origins and the Confraternity of the Most Holy Crucifix

The origins of 'A Cerca date back to the second half of the 17th century (tradition traces it to 1667) through the initiative of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Crucifix, which still manages its entire organization today. The rite is rooted in the ancient Genoese Casazze—Passion plays that reached Sicily in the 16th century and were adapted by local confraternities, bearing similarities to French mystères and English mystery plays.

The dawn procession: brothers, symbols, and actors

The procession begins at the first light of day from the Church of Santa Maria la Vecchia in the ancient Bavarino district, concluding around noon. Leading the procession are the hooded brothers, wearing long white tunics cinched with a cord, dark brown capes, white hoods with eye slits, and crowns of thorns. They carry the objects of the Passion, which hold deep symbolic value: the crown of thorns, nails, hammer, pincers, ladder, lance, dice, Veronica's veil, and the cross with the INRI inscription.

They are followed by costumed actors: Jesus carrying the cross, the Madonna, the disciples, Roman guards, and young angels. The procession winds through the main streets of the historic center, stopping at the village churches and designated spots that symbolize the Stations of the Cross, including the three falls of Jesus.

The atmosphere: silence, drums, and funeral marches

The 'A Cerca takes place in reverent silence, broken only by the mournful roll of drums, funeral marches, and trumpet blasts that set the pace. The repertoire of funeral marches is also curated by the "Pierluigi da Palestrina" Musical Association. There are also elements of agrarian and pre-Christian symbolism: the laurieddi (cereal grains sprouted in the dark), oranges, and fennel, which refer to ancient beliefs linked to the regeneration of nature.

Good Friday in Collesano: from 'A Cerca to the Dead Christ

The Good Friday rites in Collesano culminate in two solemn processions: the morning 'A Cerca, an itinerant Way of the Cross, and the evening "a Morti e Passioni" procession, featuring all the village confraternities. In the evening, the statues of the Dead Christ, the Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint John, and Mary Magdalene are carried through the streets, accompanied by the confraternities of the Rosary, the Most Holy Sacrament, Mary Most Holy of Miracles, and the Most Holy Crucifix.

A heritage of the Madonie tradition

The 'A Cerca represents a precious testimony to the popular religiosity of the Madonie and all of Sicily. Experiencing the crossing of the village of Collesano at dawn, amidst hooded brothers and funeral marches, means immersing oneself in a tradition that has been alive for over three centuries, continuing to involve the entire community of Collesano and attracting visitors and devotees from across the province of Palermo.