Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Easter cycle)

The feast of the Patron Saint of Monterosso Almo

The Feast of the Most Holy Mary of Sorrows is the most heartfelt devotional event in Monterosso Almo, a small village in the Iblei Mountains in the province of Ragusa, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. It is not just a single day of celebration, but a true spring cycle that marks the religious and social life of the town during the Easter period. The devotion to the Virgin of Sorrows, Queen and Patron Saint of the village, dates back to 1644 and is housed in the Diocesan Sanctuary of the Addolorata, inside the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate.

The Easter cycle

The festivities begin on Easter Tuesday (Martedì in Albis), the day commemorating the designation of the Madonna as the main Patron Saint of the town: the solemn Eucharistic celebration is followed by the first evening procession, where the statue of the Virgin, with her blue mantle and golden crown, travels through the main streets of the historic center amidst traditional songs that involve multiple generations. The cycle continues with Divine Mercy Sunday (Domenica in Albis) and culminates, a few weeks later, with the Feast of the Angels.

The Feast of the Angels

The Feast of the Angels is the most intense and well-attended moment. The main day, Sunday, opens at dawn with the ringing of bells and cannon shots, followed by morning Eucharistic celebrations and the solemn mass presided over by the archpriest. At noon, the statue is carried in procession to the cemetery for the Act of Consecration. In the afternoon, the traditional cena takes place—a charity auction of local products—while in the evening, a second long procession travels along Via Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Umberto, with a stop for Eucharistic Adoration at the Church of San Giovanni Battista. A fireworks display concludes the festivities.

Traditions and identity

• Brass band that accompanies processions and key moments
• Charity auction featuring traditional Iblei products and sweets
• Fireworks at the end of the main days
• Processions of the statue through the streets of the historic center

More than just a religious rite, the feast is a collective ritual that strengthens the identity of the Monterosso Almo community and is part of the rich calendar of patronal festivals in south-eastern Sicily, blending spirituality, folklore, and local gastronomy.