Feast of Blessed Agostino Novello

A patronal feast in the heart of Sicily

The Feast of Blessed Agostino Novello is the primary religious celebration in Termini Imerese, a key town in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, Sicily. Every year on May 19th, the town unites around its patron saint in a festival that weaves together devotion, local tradition, and civic identity, marking one of the most cherished moments in the local calendar.

The origins of the devotion

Veneration of Blessed Agostino Novello in Termini Imerese dates back to the 17th century. Tradition links it to 1624, when the plague was ravaging Sicily: local clergy obtained a relic of the Blessed—his left forearm—from the Prior General of the Augustinian Order. It was kept in the main church and venerated as miraculous, as the city was spared from the scourge. This bond sparked a deep cult, leading to the proclamation of the Blessed as Patron Saint of Termini Imerese in 1723. Since 1977, the entire body of the Blessed has been displayed for public veneration in his chapel inside the Cathedral of San Nicola di Bari, the spiritual heart of the festival.

The days of the feast

The festivities span several days. During the preparatory period at the church of San Nicola di Bari, a novena and evening masses lead the faithful toward the solemnity. On May 19th, the patronal day, the Cathedral hosts solemn Eucharistic celebrations throughout the day. The highlight occurs in the afternoon: the procession of the relics of the Blessed through the streets of the historic center, starting and ending at Piazza Duomo.

The procession and the community

The procession is the soul of the festival: local confraternities, the clergy, parish communities, and civil and military authorities join in a solemn parade that blends religious fervor with public participation. The streets of Termini Imerese's historic center fill with the faithful, creating an atmosphere of reflection and celebration that renews the centuries-old bond between the city and its patron.

Faith and local identity

More than just a liturgical event, the Feast of Blessed Agostino Novello is a pillar of Termini Imerese's identity. For locals—both residents and those returning home for the occasion—it is a time when the community reconnects with its roots. Alongside the May 19th celebrations, tradition also includes the so-called "Festino Agostano," linked to an ancient custom of celebrating the translation of the relics in August.