Feast of Saint Catald the Bishop (Patron Saint)
Solemn festivities in honor of the Patron Saint of San Cataldo, in the heart of the Nissena region of Sicily
About Feast of Saint Catald
A festival that is the soul of San Cataldo
In San Cataldo, a town of approximately 20,000 inhabitants nestled in the hills of the Province of Caltanissetta, in the heart of Sicily, the Feast of Saint Catald the Bishop is more than just a religious anniversary: it is the moment when the entire community reconnects with its roots. The town itself bears the name of its Patron Saint and has jealously guarded his memory since its foundation in 1607 by Baron Nicolò Galletti.
Who was Saint Catald
Saint Catald was a bishop of Irish origin who died in Taranto around 685 after a long pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The most deeply felt celebration for the local community is not his Dies Natalis on March 8th, but rather May 10th, which commemorates the Inventio Corporis, the miraculous discovery of the Saint's relics in Taranto in 1071. It is around this date that the most solemn days of the festivities are concentrated.
The statue and the reliquary
The heart of the festival is the polychrome wooden statue from 1786, the work of a Sicilian artist, depicting the Saint Bishop in sacred vestments, holding his crozier and the Gospels in his left hand. Beside it, the silver reliquary is carried in procession—a fine 19th-century work by a master goldsmith from Palermo, kept in the dedicated chapel within the Mother Church.
The Mother Church, spiritual hub
The Mother Church, dedicated to Mary Most Holy Immaculate Conception, was commissioned by the Galletti family, founders of the village; construction began in 1633 and the church was consecrated on May 9, 1739. The celebrations begin and end here, with the solemn blessing of the city imparted from the steps of Piazza Madrice.
Faith and community
On the morning of the main day, the start of the festival is announced by the firing of cannons at noon. In the afternoon, the Eucharistic concelebration and the long procession involve confraternities, civil and military authorities, and thousands of faithful who accompany the Saint along the decorated streets of the historic center. Alongside the religious program, civil events—sports tournaments, walks, and local competitions—enliven these days, making the festival a landmark event for all generations of the Province of Caltanissetta.
Feast of Saint Catald — edition 2026
The 2026 festivities in honor of the Patron Saint of San Cataldo (Province of Caltanissetta) opened with the preparatory triduum from May 6th to 8th, with evening Eucharistic celebrations in the Mother Church. On May 9th, the solemnity of the Dedication of the Mother Church was celebrated, accompanied by a historical-pastoral conference.
The highlight was May 10th: from the morning masses to the visit of the relic to the local penitentiary, up to the solemn afternoon Eucharistic concelebration presided over by H.E. Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa, Bishop of Ragusa, in the presence of civil and military authorities. This was followed by the long procession of the wooden statue and the reliquary along the "Way of the Saints," concluding with the blessing of the city in Piazza Madrice. May 11th, a day of thanksgiving, saw the visit of the relic to the city hospital.
Programme Feast of Saint Catald 2026
May 6-8 — Preparatory Triduum
- Evening Eucharistic celebrations (6:00 PM) at the Mother Church
May 7 — Civil Event
- Fourth edition of the "Quartara Sancataldese" football triangular tournament at the Salesian oratory
May 8 — Civil Event
- "Cataldian Walk" starting from Piazza Madrice
May 9 — Solemnity of the Dedication of the Mother Church
- Historical-pastoral conference
- Eucharistic celebration
May 10 — Solemnity of the Patron Saint
- Noon: Announcement of the festival with cannon fire
- 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM: Holy Masses at the Mother Church (with floral tribute from the districts)
- 10:00 AM: Visit of the relic to the penitentiary
- Afternoon: Solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided over by H.E. Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa, Bishop of Ragusa
- Followed by: Procession of the statue and the relic along the traditional "Way of the Saints"
- Conclusion in Piazza Madrice with the blessing of the city
May 11 — Thanksgiving Day
- Morning: Visit of the Patron Saint's relic to the city hospital
- 6:00 PM: Evening Holy Mass
May 17 — Civil Appendix
- Award ceremony for the "We Love the Patron Saint" competition
Highlights Feast of Saint Catald 2026
Prices Feast of Saint Catald 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Catald
How to get there
San Cataldo is located a few kilometers from Caltanissetta, along the SS 122 road. By car from the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway, take the Caltanissetta exit. The reference railway station is Caltanissetta Centrale, connected by local bus lines.
Where it takes place
The nerve center of the festival is the Mother Church and the adjacent Piazza Madrice, in the historic center. The procession crosses the traditional "Way of the Saints" and the main city streets.
Admission
All religious celebrations and civil events are free of charge.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Catald
Chiesa Madre (Immacolata Concezione)
Piazza Madrice, 93017 San Cataldo