Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Patronal Festival)

The patronal festival of Ragalna

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the most anticipated event of the year for Ragalna, a small town in the Province of Catania known as the "terrace of Etna" for its position overlooking the volcano within the Etna Park. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the town's patron saint, and her festival, held on the last Sunday and Monday of September, ideally marks the end of the summer season and the community's return after the hot months.

Devotion and tradition

At the heart of the festivities is the golden fercolo, upon which the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is placed, enriched by ex-voto offerings donated by the faithful. Long processions of children, men, and women, many wearing the Carmelite scapular, wind through the village streets accompanying the simulacrum. Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ragalna is ancient and deep: in 2025, the community celebrated the 120th anniversary of the patronal festival, a sign of continuity spanning generations.

How the festival unfolds

The festivities begin on Saturday evening with a liturgical celebration, the unveiling of the statue to the singing of the Salve Regina, and traditional cannon fire. On Sunday, the statue makes its first exit from the Mother Church around 11:00 AM, followed by a morning procession in the northern part of the town; in the afternoon, a second, longer procession reaches the "Rocca" district, with a prayer stop at the small church of Santa Rita and a floral tribute from the municipal administration. Monday is dedicated to two more processions and the return of the fercolo to the Mother Church.

The grand finale

The final evening features a fireworks display entrusted to renowned pyrotechnic firms, accompanied by brass bands and the enthusiasm of the crowd. The statue remains on display for the following days and is then returned to its niche during the ripositura ceremony, which takes place the Sunday after the festival. Ragalna also observes a minor liturgical feast on July 16th, the liturgical feast of Mount Carmel, with a mass and a short procession, but it is the September festival that truly engages the entire community.

An appointment for the Etna village

Visiting Ragalna during the Carmel festival means discovering an authentic slice of Sicilian popular religiosity, blending faith, tradition, and conviviality in a town in the Province of Catania that offers a unique panorama on the slopes of Mount Etna. The festival combines moments of intense religious participation with evenings of music and entertainment open to residents and visitors alike.