Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Antonian festival in Lentini

In the heart of south-eastern Sicily, in Lentini, Province of Syracuse, the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is an event eagerly awaited by the entire community. Celebrated every year on June 13th, the day of the Saint's "birth into heaven," this event weaves together popular faith, tradition, and folklore in the Porrazzeto district, home to the parish dedicated to him.

Deep-rooted devotion

According to local tradition, Saint Anthony stayed for a few days in a cave near the Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata: this is the origin of the deep bond between Lentini and the wonder-working Saint. The annual celebrations in their current form began in 1990, with the establishment of the new parish. At the heart of the devotion is the artistic wooden statue, the work of sculptor Vincenzo Mussner from Ortisei, which arrived in Lentini on June 13, 1991. It depicts the Saint holding the Baby Jesus above the Book of the Gospels, with a lily at his feet symbolizing purity and chastity.

The Tredicina and the Eve

As per tradition, the festival is preceded by the Tredicina in honor of the Saint: on June 1st, at 8:00 AM, the festive ringing of bells and the firing of thirteen mortars announce the beginning of the thirteen days of preparation to the city, with Holy Mass celebrated every evening. On the evening of June 12th, artistic illuminations decorate the church square and adjacent streets, while the faithful adorn their balconies with colorful drapes and flags, awaiting the most important day.

The day of the feast and the procession

On June 13th, at 8:00 AM, the festive bells signal the start of the celebrations. At 10:00 AM, the Archbishop of Syracuse presides over the solemn Pontifical Mass, featuring the blessing of the bread and votive garments: a tradition where children wear the habit of Saint Anthony and adults wear the Antonian scapular. In the late afternoon, after a second Eucharistic celebration, the triumphant departure of the Sacred Relic and the Venerated Statue begins at 6:00 PM. The procession first travels through the streets of the district, then reaches the city center passing through Piazza Duomo, welcomed by the bells of the Mother Church, before returning to the Porrazzeto district. Around midnight, a grand fireworks display concludes the festivities.

Flavors and atmosphere

During the festival days, the streets around the parish come alive with food and wine stands featuring local products and Sicilian wines, in a convivial atmosphere that accompanies the religious dimension. The Lentini festival is a living example of Antonian devotion in Sicily, capable of drawing faithful and visitors from the entire area.