Saint Anthony the Abbot Festival

A century-old festival in the heart of Sicily

The Saint Anthony the Abbot Festival is the most anticipated summer event in Milena, a small town in the Province of Caltanissetta known as the 'Paese delle Robbe' for its unique rural settlements scattered across the countryside. Although the liturgical feast of the saint falls on January 17th, for over a century the Milena community has celebrated its patron on the second Sunday of August, when the summer heat and the return of emigrants turn the village into a vibrant space of shared celebration. The 2025 edition marked the 129th consecutive year, a testament to a deeply rooted and unbroken tradition.

The 'purmisioni' procession

The most iconic moment is the 'purmisioni' procession, a festive and lively parade that gathers and carries votive offerings to the saint to the steps of the Mother Church. With white candles, decorated animals, music, and joy, the parade winds through the town streets to the main square, where devotion becomes a spectacle of color and sound. It reflects the ancient custom of peasant vows, once linked to the 'Porcellino di Sant'Antonio' (Saint Anthony's piglet), an animal raised by the community and sold to fund the festivities.

The blessing of the animals

Saint Anthony the Abbot, father of Eastern monasticism, is revered as the protector of animals, crops, and fire. For this reason, the evocative blessing of domestic animals takes place on the steps of the Mother Church: dogs, cats, goldfish, and many other pets are brought by the faithful to receive the saint's protection, in a moment that combines faith, tenderness, and rural tradition.

The procession and fireworks

In the afternoon, the solemn procession carries the wooden statue of Saint Anthony—carved by Francesco Biancardi in 1896 and kept in the Mother Church alongside a relic of the saint—through the streets of the village. A brass band, traditional drum rolls, and cannon blasts mark the passage, while in the evening, Piazza Garibaldi comes alive with music and illuminations. The day concludes with fireworks, culminating in a midnight pyrotechnic display that illuminates the village sky.

Faith, folklore, and community

The Saint Anthony the Abbot Festival is the highlight of the Milena summer: a blend of sacred and profane where liturgy merges with popular celebration. Organized by the festival committee with the support of the Municipality of Milena and the parish, the celebration is a precious opportunity to rediscover the rural identity of inland Sicily and experience the authentic atmosphere of a Sicilian village in celebration.