Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua – Patron Saint of Menfi

The patronal feast of Menfi

The Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is the most deeply felt religious and popular event in Menfi, a town in the Belice Valley in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. Saint Anthony is the patron saint of the Menfi community and is celebrated every year on June 13th, the day of his liturgical memorial, though festivities usually continue until the following weekend.

An ancient devotion

The origins of the cult date back to the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, the same era when the city of Menfi was founded: since then, Saint Anthony of Padua has become a central figure of local spirituality. The festival is considered one of the oldest in the Agrigento territory and is an important draw not only for the people of Menfi but also for inhabitants of neighboring towns in the Belice Valley.

The solemn procession

The heart of the festival is the procession which, at the end of the evening mass, starts from the Mother Church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III. The statue of the saint is carried on shoulders through the streets of the historic center — including Via Blandina, Via Matteotti, Via Risorgimento, Via Garibaldi, Via Cavour, and Via della Vittoria — accompanied by a large crowd of the faithful. In recent years, to preserve the ancient statue kept in the Mother Church, a faithful fiberglass copy is used in the procession. The parade concludes with the renewed proclamation of the saint as patron by the Mayor.

Folklore, music, and traditions

Beyond its religious dimension, the festival is an occasion for entertainment and social gathering. In the evenings, particularly on Via della Vittoria, there are musical performances, entertainment, and DJ sets until late at night. There is no shortage of games and Sicilian folklore activities, with the revival of ancient customs and typical pastimes from the early 20th century, as well as tastings of local products and the prized wines of Menfi, one of the most well-known wine-producing lands in Western Sicily.