Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua
The great Franciscan feast at the Shrine of the Friars Minor
About Saint Anthony of Padua
A deep devotion in the heart of the Longano
The Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the most cherished religious events in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, a populous city on the Tyrrhenian side of the Metropolitan City of Messina, in Sicily. The heart of the festivities is the Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua of the Friars Minor, around which the spiritual life of the neighborhood and the entire community revolves for nearly two weeks.
The 'tredicina', the heart of the preparation
The feast does not end in a single day: it is preceded by the tredicina, thirteen days of prayer that revisit the famous rhymed paraphrase of the Antonian responsory. Every day, the Shrine fills with faithful for morning and evening Eucharistic celebrations and the sung tredicina. Many devotees, including children, wear the votive habit throughout the period, which replicates the Saint's Franciscan robe, a tangible sign of a promise or thanksgiving.
The procession of June 13th
The climax is the solemnity of June 13th, the day of the Saint's liturgical feast. In the afternoon, the statue of Saint Anthony is carried in procession through the streets of the neighborhood, decorated with lights, flowers, blankets on balconies, and flags: to the sound of the band and amidst illuminated balconies, the passage of the Saint among the people is the emotional heart of the feast, always highly attended and felt by the local population.
Faith, fraternity, and popular celebration
Alongside the strictly spiritual moments, the feast offers numerous opportunities for fraternity and sharing: traditional games, sports events, initiatives for children, flower festivals, concerts, shows, and musical evenings enliven the days. A well-established tradition is the 'panino e salsiccia' (sausage sandwich) evening, which fills the churchyard with aromas and crowds. It is this dual soul—ancient devotion and popular festival—that makes the Antonian celebration of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto an event awaited every year by thousands of faithful and curious visitors.
A Saint loved throughout Sicily
Saint Anthony of Padua, a Portuguese Franciscan friar who lived in the 13th century and is venerated as the patron saint of the poor and lost items, enjoys a widespread cult in Sicily. In Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, his feast represents one of the many faces of this devotion, guarded and handed down by the community of the Friars Minor and the neighborhood population.
Saint Anthony of Padua — edition 2026
The 2026 edition had as its guiding theme "In the footsteps of Francis, in the light of Anthony," chosen to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the blessed passing of Saint Francis of Assisi. The tredicina (May 31st - June 12th) was preached by Friar Alfio Lanfranco O.F.M., with daily celebrations and sung tredicina in the morning and evening. On June 13th, the solemnity featured the 10:30 AM celebration presided over by Monsignor Corrado Lorefice, Metropolitan Archbishop of Palermo, the 5:00 PM procession through the streets of the neighborhood, and the 10:00 PM evening celebration. The community of the Shrine of the Friars Minor animated the entire period with a rich spiritual and popular program.
Programme Saint Anthony of Padua 2026
Tredicina (May 31st - June 12th)
- Weekdays: 06:00, 07:00, 19:00 Eucharistic celebrations; 06:30 and 18:30 sung tredicina
- Holidays: additional celebrations at 08:00 and 10:30
- Preacher: Friar Alfio Lanfranco O.F.M.
Main events
- June 1st, 21:00 — Franciscan catechesis "The life of Saint Francis through works of art" (Friar Francesco Chiarelli O.F.M.)
- June 2nd, 09:00 — Ecological bike ride
- June 3rd-5th — A.S.D. S. Antonino Soccer Tournament
- June 6th — 7th edition of "Panino e salsiccia" with the musical group Atmosfera Blu
- June 9th — Concert by the I.C. "Bastiano Genovese" and school awards
- June 10th — Children's party with entertainment and games
- June 11th — Blessing of the bearers; Flower festival "From the heart of Francis, Anthony"
- June 12th, 21:00 — "L'ultimo cammino", historical re-enactment of the passing of Saint Anthony (3rd edition), departure from Piazza Duomo
Solemnity — June 13th
- 10:30 AM — Solemn celebration presided over by Monsignor Corrado Lorefice, Metropolitan Archbishop of Palermo
- 5:00 PM — Procession through the streets of the neighborhood
- 10:00 PM — Solemn celebration presided over by Friar Alfio Lanfranco O.F.M.
Throughout the duration (May 31st - June 12th): exhibition of the works from the school competition "Walking with Francis".
Highlights Saint Anthony of Padua 2026
Prices Saint Anthony of Padua 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony of Padua
How to get there
Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto is located along the Tyrrhenian coast of Messina. By car: A20 Messina-Palermo motorway, Barcellona exit. By train: Barcellona-Castroreale station on the Tyrrhenian line, with a shuttle service to the center. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about an hour and a half away.
Where it takes place
The celebrations are concentrated at the Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua of the Friars Minor; the June 13th procession winds through the streets of the neighborhood. The "L'ultimo cammino" (The Last Journey) re-enactment starts from Piazza Duomo.
Tips
Admission to the celebrations and events is free. The main evenings (June 12th and 13th) attract many people: it is advisable to arrive early to witness the procession.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony of Padua
Santuario di Sant'Antonio di Padova dei Frati Minori