Feast of the Patronage of Saint Joseph (u Patruciniu)

A unique tradition in Sicily

The Feast of the Patronage of Saint Joseph, known to locals as u Patruciniu, is one of the most distinctive religious events in the town of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani. Established in 1880, it remains the only example of this specific cult in Sicily. After Pope Pius IX extended the feast of the Patronage of Saint Joseph to the entire Catholic Church in 1847, the people of Alcamo developed their own unique form of devotion, which has been passed down unchanged for over 140 years.

The Congregation of the Holy Family

The festival is organized and preserved by the Congregation of the Holy Family, which has linked the celebration to an act of charity since its inception. Historically, the Congregation prepared a lunch for the poor, feeding about three hundred people in the city. Today, the spirit of solidarity remains the profound meaning of the day, alongside its strictly religious and communal aspects.

The Holy Family Procession

The most evocative element of the festival is the procession featuring costumed characters portraying the Holy Family. Saint Joseph is represented by an elderly man with a white beard, dressed in a blue tunic and a yellow cloak; Mary is a blonde girl aged ten to twelve in a white dress with a light blue mantle; the Baby Jesus is a blonde child aged five to six wearing an orange robe. The three figures are preceded by Saint Michael the Archangel, portrayed by a boy in armor.

The cucciddati and the band

The procession travels along Corso VI Aprile to Piazza Ciullo, in front of the Church of the College (Chiesa del Gesù), where a stage is set up. Here, the ceremonial lunch is symbolically offered to the Holy Family, and the cucciddati—the blessed breads of Saint Joseph, the true symbol of the festival and popular devotion—are distributed. The parade is accompanied by the traditional marches of the Premiato Complesso Bandistico Città di Alcamo, and the event is supported by the Municipality of Alcamo.

When it takes place

The festival falls on the third Sunday after Easter. With its atmosphere of faith, tradition, and solidarity, it attracts locals and visitors to the historic center every year, making Alcamo a precious destination for those wishing to discover the most authentic folk festivals of Western Sicily.