Madonna della Milicia Festival

The 2025 edition, the 401st, took place in Altavilla Milicia from August 29 to September 14, with the culmination on September 8. The preparatory octave, from August 29 to September 5, featured evening sermons entrusted to Father Gaetano Marsiglia and a rosary procession through the village streets every evening; on August 29, in the Belvedere area, the traditional blessing of the timber intended for the construction of the float took place.

On the patron saint's day, the offering of gifts took place at noon, followed by the solemn mass presided over by the Archbishop of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice, the flight of the angels, and, in the evening, the spectacular ascent of the triumphal float pulled by oxen and accompanied by brass bands, drummers, and flag-wavers. The day concluded with fireworks in Piazza Belvedere and the singing of the Akathistos in the sanctuary, in front of thousands of pilgrims.

Octave — August 29 / September 5, 2025

• Blessing of the timber (August 29, Belvedere area)
• Evening sermon by Father Gaetano Marsiglia and rosary procession every evening

September 8, 2025 — Patron saint's day

• Dawn service and morning masses in the sanctuary
• Drummers and brass band parade through the town streets
• Noon: offering of gifts
• Afternoon: solemn mass presided over by the Archbishop of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice, procession, and flight of the angels
• Evening: ascent of the triumphal float pulled by oxen, with bands, drummers, and flag-wavers
• Fireworks in Piazza Belvedere and singing of the Akathistos in the sanctuary

The ascent of the triumphal float, the flight of the angels, and the solemn mass by the Archbishop of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice.