Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The 2025 edition

As every year, on December 8th, 2025, Caltabellotta celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception according to the traditional format. The novena during the nine preceding days accompanied the community with daily services, the rosary, and the singing of the 'Stella dell'Immacolata', while the eve of the feast featured the traveling vigil toward the Chiesa dell'Itria.

On the day of the solemnity, after morning mass, the statue of the Immaculate Conception left the Chiesa dell'Itria for the afternoon procession through the village streets, accompanied by the band and the faithful. Late in the evening, upon the return of the procession, the burning of 'lu Diavulazzu' took place—the imposing 7-8 meter tall effigy hoisted in Piazza Leone XIII—sealing the festival with its powerful symbolic value.

Traditional schedule for December 8th

• Morning — Eucharistic celebration at the Chiesa dell'Itria.
• Late afternoon — Departure of the Immaculate Conception statue and procession through the historic center streets.
• Late evening — Return of the procession to the Chiesa dell'Itria.
• Following — Burning of 'lu Diavulazzu' in Piazza Leone XIII.

During the nine preceding days: novena with daily services in the late afternoon; on the evening of December 7th, traveling vigil toward the Chiesa dell'Itria.

The burning of 'lu Diavulazzu', the 7-8 meter tall devil effigy set on fire in Piazza Leone XIII, and the evening procession of the Immaculate Conception statue.