Saint Blaise Festival

Saint Blaise, patron saint of Camastra twice over

In Camastra, a town of just over two thousand inhabitants in the hinterland of the Agrigento province, Sicily, devotion to Saint Blaise marks two distinct moments of the year. The saint, venerated as the protector of the throat and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, is celebrated on February 3rd, his liturgical day, and again at the end of summer with grand patronal festivities that draw crowds to the village.

The February feast

On February 3rd, the day centers on a solemn mass and the procession of the statue through the town streets, accompanied by a marching band. The most poignant moment is the blessing of the throat and the distribution of votive bread, rituals tied to the saint's martyrdom and his protection against throat ailments. The statue is kept in the Church of the Most Holy Savior, the town's mother church.

The grand September festivities

Camastra hosts its largest celebration at the end of summer, spanning several days between late August and September 3rd. The timing is deliberate: the summer festivities are designed to allow Camastra emigrants and their descendants, now living in other Italian cities or abroad, to return to their hometown. For this reason, the event is also known as the Day of Camastra Roots, as part of the 'roots tourism' initiatives.

The program weaves together religious and popular elements: holy masses, the morning alborata (dawn salute) with blank shots, the evening procession of the statue followed by a crowd of faithful, and moments of celebration for everyone. There is no shortage of musical performances with nationally renowned guests in Piazza Garibaldi, cabaret, dialect comedies, and DJ sets for younger crowds.

The flavors of the feast

The delicious heart of the festivities lies in the local food festivals: the cream-filled cannolo festival and the impanata festival, the savory stuffed pastry typical of the Sicilian tradition. Camastra is also known for its almonds, which are the focus of special events in some years.

The grand finale

The festival traditionally closes with a concert by the band in the square and a fireworks display that lights up the night sky over the Agrigento village, bidding farewell to Saint Blaise until the following year.