Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

The patronal feast of Paceco

The Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is the main religious event in the municipality of Paceco, a small town in the province of Trapani, Sicily, just a few kilometers from the regional capital. Every year, around November 25th, the date set by the liturgical calendar, the entire community gathers to honor its patron saint, a virgin and martyr venerated since the early centuries of Christianity.

The procession of the statue

The heart of the festival is the evening procession on November 25th: the statue of the Saint, placed on the traditional fercolo (processional float), is carried on shoulders through the town streets in a solemn and well-attended route. The streets come alive with the faithful, illuminations, and moments of prayer, in an atmosphere that combines popular faith with a sense of belonging. The evening concludes with traditional fireworks, a pyrotechnic show that brings the day dedicated to the patron saint to a festive close.

Saint Catherine, patron saint of Paceco

According to tradition, Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a learned young woman who defended her Christian faith before the philosophers of her time, which is why she is also invoked as the protector of scholars. Paceco's bond with the Saint has ancient roots: her statue arrived in town on November 25, 1983, and on April 7, 1984, Bishop Emanuele Romano officially confirmed Saint Catherine of Alexandria as the town's patron, cementing a cult that was already deeply rooted in the local fabric.

Music and devotion

Alongside the devotion to the patron saint, the «City of Paceco» Music Festival takes place during the same period, also dedicated to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. The traditional concert features the «City of Paceco» Musical Band, a historic local institution, with a repertoire designed to engage the public and celebrate the community's dual patronage. Music, faith, and identity thus merge in days that strengthen the bond between the people of Paceco and their roots.

A community gathering

More than just a spectacular event, the Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an intimate and identity-focused gathering, an authentic expression of the popular tradition of Western Sicily. For those visiting the Trapani area in autumn, it represents an opportunity to experience a genuine patronal feast up close, away from major tourist flows, immersed in the rhythms and values of a small Sicilian town.