Patronal Feast of Saint Leonard the Abbot

The patronal feast of Mascali

The Patronal Feast of Saint Leonard the Abbot is the most significant religious and popular event in the calendar of Mascali, a town in the Metropolitan City of Catania overlooking the Ionian slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily. Every year, around November 6th, the entire community gathers around the statue of its patron saint in a celebration that weaves together deep devotion, centuries-old tradition, and folklore.

Saint Leonard of Noblac, protector of Mascali

Saint Leonard of Noblac, a French abbot and hermit venerated throughout medieval Europe, became the patron of Mascali. His figure has been linked for centuries to two events considered miraculous by the community. During the terrible Val di Noto earthquake of 1693, the faithful carrying the saint's relics in procession remained unharmed; in 1865, a lava flow threatening the town stopped in the Scorciavacca area, where a small votive shrine still commemorates the event today. In memory of these occurrences, the Day of Thanksgiving is celebrated on February 5th.

The religious program

The festivities open with a solemn novena that prepares the community with daily celebrations in the days leading up to the feast. On November 5th, the central door of the Mother Church is traditionally opened, and the statue is brought out, reaching the church of San Giuseppe in Carrabba in a procession. The day of the feast, November 6th, is marked by a solemn pontifical mass celebrated by the bishop and, in the late afternoon, by the festive exit of the saint's fercolo (processional float), accompanied by confraternities, the faithful, and the marching band through the streets of the town.

The Cantata and the statue

The highlight is the traditional Cantata in honor of Saint Leonard, performed in Piazza Duomo during the procession. The exquisite statue of the saint, dating back to the early 19th century, carries the chain with shackles and the pastoral staff, and is adorned with gold and silver ex-voto offerings kept in the Mother Church's treasury. At the end of the procession, the statue is displayed on the high altar for the following eight days.

The Saint Leonard Fair

The festive period is inaugurated by the historic Saint Leonard Fair, traditionally set up starting November 1st: a commercial event once renowned throughout Sicily, which still enlivens the town today with stalls, local products, and attractions. The feast and the fair have recently been inscribed in the REIS, the Registry of Intangible Heritage of Sicily, in recognition of their identity value.

An experience of faith and community

Alongside the liturgical celebrations, the festive days offer moments of popular gathering, shows, music, and gastronomy featuring traditional Sicilian specialties. Visiting Mascali during these days means immersing yourself in the most authentic soul of an Etnean village that, rebuilt after the devastating eruption of 1928, has managed to keep its bond with its patron saint intact.