Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Patronal Feast of Maletto

In the heart of the Etna region of Sicily, the town of Maletto (province of Catania) dedicates its most important celebration to Saint Anthony of Padua, who has been the town's protector since 1650. Every year, on the second Sunday of September, the streets of the historic center fill with faithful, devotees, and visitors who arrive from all over the province to participate in one of the region's most authentic celebrations.

The Procession of the Fercolo

The highlight is the Sunday procession: the statue of the Saint leaves the Mother Church to be carried on shoulders along the traditional vie dei Santi (Saints' streets). The heavy baiardo (carrying frame) is supported by about fifty devotees, who compete for their position by tying a handkerchief to the bars of the float; the balance of the float, navigating the narrow streets of the town, is ensured by long ropes pulled with great skill. Many faithful follow the procession barefoot, carrying votive candles as an act of devotion. The departure and return of the Saint to the Mother Church are accompanied by impressive fireworks displays.

The Livestock Fair

The festivities are not limited to Sunday. Starting from Thursday, the town announces the feast with the ringing of bells and the firing of firecrackers, while on Friday, the historic Livestock Fair is held in the Fontana Murata area: one of the few livestock fairs still active in the Catania area, a testament to Maletto's agricultural and pastoral roots. The evenings are enlivened by musical performances and the brass band parading through the town streets.

Faith, Folklore, and Tradition

Devotion to Saint Anthony is deeply rooted in the town's history: between 1783 and 1786, Prince Muzio Spadafora Moncada commissioned a church dedicated to the Saint, ordering the statues from the sculptor Bagnasco. Maletto, whose origins date back to the 13th century when Manfredi Maletta built a watchtower, still preserves this intense bond with its patron today. The feast thus unites the religious and folkloric dimensions in an event that draws over five thousand faithful every year from across the province of Catania and Sicily.

An Event Not to Be Missed

• Procession of the fercolo along the Saints' streets
• Historic Friday Livestock Fair
• Fireworks displays at the Saint's departure and return
• Brass band parade and evening entertainment
• Solemn High Mass in the Mother Church