Feast of Saint Giles the Abbot

A celebration of faith and community at the foot of Mount Etna

The Feast of Saint Giles the Abbot is the patronal festival of Linguaglossa, a town in the province of Catania, Sicily, located on the northern side of Mount Etna. For the local community, deeply connected to their protector saint, these days represent both a moment of religious devotion and a rediscovery of the town's identity, where liturgical celebrations alternate with shows, music, and folklore.

Miracles linked to Etna

Devotion to Saint Giles stems from the tradition that the Saint saved Linguaglossa from the volcano's lava flows. Popular memory recalls several events considered miraculous: the stopping of lava at the edge of town, the 1809 eruption on Easter Monday, and especially the episode on June 17, 1923, when a flow that had already destroyed the Catena district was heading toward the town and stopped after the faithful carried the Saint's statue in procession. For this reason, in addition to the September festival, Linguaglossa renews its gratitude to the patron saint on Easter Monday and with a commemorative procession on June 17.

The novena and the patronal week

Summer festivities begin with the novena, starting August 25 at the Church of Saint Giles: the Mayor symbolically hands the keys of the city to the Patron Saint, and the venerated statue is unveiled, accompanied by the traditional cantata. In the following days, the religious program intertwines with cultural and entertainment initiatives: children's activities, equestrian shows, musical performances, and cabaret. A pilgrimage to Monte Santo is also held, from which a blessing is bestowed upon the city.

September 1st: The procession

The heart of the festival is September 1st. After the solemn Eucharistic celebration, as evening falls, the patron's statue leaves the Mother Church and travels through the center in a procession, stopping in squares for the blessing with the relic, the tribute to the Immaculate Conception (protector of Linguaglossa), and the Mayor's homage to the Saint. The procession concludes late in the evening with the return of the statue to the church and the fireworks display in Piazza Matrice, which closes the day of celebration.

Traditions and flavors

Among the most cherished traditions is the Saint Giles bread, called "u Bastuni" in the local dialect: it replicates the shape of the Saint's pastoral staff and is made with hazelnut paste, a typical product of the Etna territory. The festival is a precious opportunity to discover Linguaglossa, its churches, and the surrounding volcanic landscape during a particularly evocative time of year for those visiting the northern slopes of Mount Etna.