Co-Patronal Feast of Maria SS. della Stella (with the Ritini)

The Co-Patron Saint of Barrafranca

In the heart of inland Sicily, in the province of Enna, the town of Barrafranca dedicates one of its most heartfelt and identity-defining celebrations to its co-patron, Maria SS. della Stella. The cult of the Madonna della Stella dates back to the early 16th century, established by Matteo Barresi, and has since shaped the life of the local community, drawing back faithful residents and emigrants to their hometown each year.

The Quindicina and the September 8th Procession

The festivities unfold over a quindicina (a two-week period) leading up to the main celebration. Every evening at the parish church, the Holy Rosary and a special novena-style prayer in honor of the Madonna are recited, followed by a Eucharistic celebration. The highlight is the solemn procession on September 8th, when the statue of the Madonna is carried on shoulders through the city streets, particularly along the evocative Via dei Santi, decorated with banners and drapes depicting the sacred image.

The Ritini: Grain Offered to the Madonna

The most distinctive element of the feast is the Ritini parade: the transport of grain offered as a vow to the church. Families, in gratitude for graces received, donate harvested grain, which is then taken to the sanctuary on festively adorned horses and mules, decorated with colorful plumes and bells. In the final stretch, the horses trot along the road in a scene of great visual impact. The tradition is closely tied to the almond harvest, which is abundant in the Barrafranca area, and the feast is traditionally accompanied by the custom of preparing almond torrone.

Folklore, Music, and Fireworks

Beyond the religious dimension, the festival offers a rich folkloric backdrop: richly decorated Sicilian carts, flag-wavers, the accompaniment of a marching band, and, to conclude the main day, traditional evening fireworks that light up the sky over Barrafranca. Balconies and streets in the district around the parish are decorated for the occasion, turning the town center into a festive path.

A Living Tradition in the Enna Region

Between popular devotion, rural memory, and spectacle, the Feast of Maria SS. della Stella tells the story of the soul of Barrafranca and a Sicilian hinterland where patronal and co-patronal feasts remain a central pillar of community identity, capable of uniting generations and calling home those who have moved away.