Festivities in Honor of Saint Roch

A devotion born from the plague of 1575

The Festivities in Honor of Saint Roch are the religious heart of Motta d'Affermo, a Nebrodi village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in the province of Messina, in the Sicily Region. The tradition has its roots in 1575, when a terrible plague epidemic struck Sicily and the village: the locals invoked Saint Roch, the pilgrim saint of French origin venerated as a protector against epidemics, and once the contagion ended, they decided to build him a first church. Since then, the devotion has never ceased, and even today, despite Saint Luke being the official patron, Saint Roch remains the most beloved saint by the community.

The religious program

The festivities open with the novena, recited every evening in the church of Saint Roch starting from the first days of August. The calendar intertwines several observances: the celebration of Mary Most Holy of Graces, the feast of Saint Luke, and the solemnity of Saint Roch, set for August 16th, the day the Church dedicates to the pilgrim saint. It is on this date that the village experiences its most intense day.

The traditions of August 16th

• Pilgrim's Mass, celebrated at dawn around 6:30 AM;
• Procession of Miracles, in the morning, with devotees carrying large votive candles known as "miracles" on their shoulders, often barefoot, to fulfill vows and thank the saint;
• Historical Cavalcade, in the afternoon, when riders from all over Sicily parade with horses, mules, and donkeys dressed for the occasion, carrying offerings and the effigy of the saint;
• Evening Procession of the Vara, the most emotional moment of the day, with the heavy "vara" (float) carried on shoulders through the village streets and the famous race along the steep San Carlo staircase;
• Fireworks display at midnight, which illuminates the Nebrodi sky and closes the festival.

Flowered balconies and music in the square

During the festival days, Motta d'Affermo is transformed: the facades of the historic center are dressed in flowers for the traditional Flowered Balcony competition, while the brass band enlivens the streets and Piazza San Rocco hosts concerts and evening shows. Admission to all events is free, and the festival attracts visitors and pilgrims every year from the entire Nebrodi area and the province of Messina.

An authentic Nebrodi experience

Experiencing the festival of Saint Roch means discovering a little-known corner of Sicily, made of stone alleys, sea views, and a community that proudly guards its rites. For those looking for the most genuine folklore of the island, far from the most crowded destinations, the festivities of Motta d'Affermo offer a Ferragosto of tradition, spirituality, and popular celebration.