Matri Aiutu Festival (Mary Help of Christians)

2025 Edition - 139th anniversary

The 2025 festival was celebrated on Sunday, May 25th, marking the 139th year of the Canicattini devotion to Mary Help of Christians. The celebrations were preceded by the novena and events involving the town's children and schools.

The eve of May 24th featured a children's procession with the statue and, in the evening, a musical gala with local artists. On the day of the festival, the dawn wake-up opened the day; in the afternoon, the solemn mass on the churchyard, and in the evening, the triumphant exit of the statue amidst balloons, rose petals, bell ringing, and fireworks, accompanied by the town band and followed by the procession through the streets of the center. The day closed with the fireworks display by "Fuochi Chiarenza & Figli" of Belpasso. The octave continued from May 26th to June 1st, with daily masses animated by parish associations.