Feast of Saint Joseph

A festival that is the heart of Casteltermini

In Casteltermini, a town in the province of Agrigento nestled in the heart of the Sicani Mountains, Saint Joseph is among the most beloved and venerated saints. The festivities in his honor, which culminate on the liturgical solemnity of March 19th, represent much more than a simple religious recurrence: they are a defining moment of identity in which the entire community recognizes itself, from generation to generation.

The novena and religious rites

The festivities begin with the novena, nine days of spiritual preparation leading up to the feast. Every evening, in the Church of Saint Joseph and the Mother Church, the faithful gather for the rosary, recited and sung according to the ancient tradition in the Sicilian dialect, followed by the Eucharistic celebration. During the days of the solemnity, the blessing of the altars, the solemn mass, the procession of the Saint's statue through the town streets, and, upon returning to the church, the Eucharistic blessing accompanied by fireworks take place.

The Vicchiariddri: the votive altars

The most characteristic element of the Casteltermini festival are the Vicchiariddri, large votive altars set up by families in their own homes in fulfillment of a vow to Saint Joseph. These are tables laden with food in extraordinary abundance, true works of popular devotion. On the morning of March 19th, at the invitation of the host, relatives, neighbors, and even strangers are welcomed to share the meal promised to the Saint. Doors remain open to welcome rich and poor, healthy and sick, friends and strangers, in a gesture of sharing that embodies the deepest meaning of the tradition.

The flavors of tradition

On the tables of the Vicchiariddri, one finds typical dishes of the simple Sicilian cuisine, prepared with care in the preceding days:

• fried vegetables such as asparagus, wild fennel, and fava beans
• meatballs and potato-based dishes
• artichokes and various traditional sweets
• the pignolata, the festival's signature dessert
• the cuddruri, votive breads distributed to those present

During the novena, the charitable dimension is also very much alive: food is collected for needy families, displayed on the traditional altar, and then donated, in the spirit of solidarity that Saint Joseph embodies.

A heritage of the Sicani Mountains

The Feast of Saint Joseph in Casteltermini is a precious testament to Sicilian religious folklore, where the sacred and the profane merge while maintaining strong community bonds. For those visiting the Sicily region and the Agrigento hinterland, participating in these days means coming into contact with an authentic popular tradition, welcomed with the generosity that has always distinguished this corner of the island.