Celebrations in Honor of Saint John Bosco
The Salesian feast in Ispica featuring faith, brass bands, and fireworks
About Saint John Bosco
A Salesian feast in the heart of Ispica
In the town of Ispica, at the southeastern tip of the Ragusa province in Sicily, the celebrations in honor of Saint John Bosco are among the most cherished events for the community surrounding the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata. Don Bosco, founder of the Salesians and apostle of youth, is remembered here with a devotion rooted in the city's historic Salesian oratory, which was active between 1945 and 1951.
A week of celebrations
The festival spans several days, typically from the last week of January until February 1st. The program alternates between liturgical celebrations, catechesis, and solidarity initiatives—such as the Day of Fraternity, featuring food drives and visits to nursing homes—promoted by the Annunziata community alongside the Don Bosco Association.
The outdoor feast
The highlight is the outdoor feast, which draws numerous faithful and devotees. The day begins at dawn with cannon fire and festive bell ringing, followed by the arrival of musicians and flag-wavers for the traditional "gala tour" of the city streets. In the afternoon, the statue of the saint is carried out of the Basilica on the shoulders of the association's youth for a procession through the streets and squares of the historic center, accompanied by brass bands. The evening concludes with a stunning fireworks display.
A living tradition
In recent years, the festival has been enriched by the exhibition of a notable relic of Don Bosco, welcomed into the city with great participation, and by celebrations presided over by Salesian figures and the Bishop of Noto. It is an event that weaves together religious identity, popular tradition, and neighborhood life, filling the streets of Ispica every year.
Saint John Bosco — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The festivities took place from January 24 to February 1, 2026. The opening on Saturday, January 24, saw the reception of the notable relic of Don Bosco (the saint's tongue and larynx) in Piazza Padre Pietro Iabichella at 4:00 PM, followed by the procession to the Basilica and the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop of Noto, Monsignor Salvatore Rumeo, with the blessing of the new parish house named after Saint Dominic Savio.
The week alternated between catechesis, the 33rd Day of Fraternity with food drives, visits to nursing homes, and cultural moments with Father Giovanni D'Andrea SDB and Professor Michelangelo Lorefice. The outdoor feast on Sunday, February 1, drew numerous faithful, concluding at the Basilica of the Annunziata.
Programme Saint John Bosco 2026
Saturday, January 24 — Arrival of the relic
- 4:00 PM — Reception of the notable relic of Don Bosco in Piazza Padre Pietro Iabichella
- 5:00 PM — Reflection on Don Bosco with catechesis groups
- 6:00 PM — Solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided over by the Bishop of Noto Monsignor Salvatore Rumeo, followed by the blessing of the new "Saint Dominic Savio" parish house
Outdoor feast — Sunday, February 1
- 8:00 AM — 21 cannon shots and festive bell ringing
- 9:30 AM — Arrival of the "Città di Floridia" musicians and flag-wavers and the "Santa Cecilia" orchestra in Piazza Santissima Annunziata
- 10:00 AM — "Gala tour" through the city streets with the Don Bosco Catholic Association
- 11:00 AM — Children's Mass
- 12:00 PM — Return of the gala tour, cannon shots, and musical performances
- 4:00 PM — Exit of the Saint John Bosco statue carried on shoulders by the youth and procession through the city center (D'Azeglio, Cantù, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Bellini, Dante, Corso Garibaldi)
- Evening — Fireworks display by the Fratelli Chiarenza company
- 7:30 PM — Solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Paolo Terrana SDB, with the "Jubilate Deo" choir
- Following — Drawing of the charity raffle tickets
Highlights Saint John Bosco 2026
Prices Saint John Bosco 2026
Practical information — Saint John Bosco
Location
The festival is centered at the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata and the streets of the historic center of Ispica (Ragusa province), including Corso Garibaldi, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
When
Typically during the last week of January, with the outdoor feast held on the last Sunday of the month or February 1st.
Admission
Participation in the celebrations and the procession is free of charge.
Getting there
Ispica is accessible via the SS115 road and has a train station on the Syracuse-Gela line. The nearest airport is Comiso.
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Where does it take place — Saint John Bosco
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata