Saint Blaise Winter Festival

The Winter Feast of Saint Blaise in Militello Rosmarino

In the heart of the Nebrodi mountains, the village of Militello Rosmarino, in the Province of Messina, Sicily, dedicates one of the most beloved events of the local calendar to its patron saint, Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr. The winter festival, which culminates on February 3rd, is a tapestry of popular faith, ancient rites, and community identity that draws worshippers from across the Nebrodi region.

Candlemas and the Opening of the Festivities

The celebrations begin on February 2nd with Candlemas, known in dialect as ra Cannilora: the faithful carry baskets of candles in procession to the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria Lo Brignolito, where the priest blesses the candles and celebrates Holy Mass. It is a devout prelude to a day of great intensity.

The sciara ca rama and the cannizzoli

Among the most evocative elements is a sciara ca rama e i cannizzoli: a decorated laurel sapling, adorned with a silver portrait of Saint Blaise, is carried through the village streets accompanied by lit inflorescences that illuminate the path. The procession ends in Piazza Lodato, where the previously stacked brushwood is set ablaze in a ritual that blends Christian elements with ancestral customs.

February 3rd: The Baroque vara, sambrasisi, and the Blessing of the Throat

The patron saint's day opens with morning mass and the famous blessing of the throat: using two crossed candles, the priest blesses the faithful in memory of the miracle by which Saint Blaise saved a child from choking on a fish bone. After the solemn mass, usually held at 11:00 AM, the citizens carry the statue of the Saint on their shoulders, mounted on the 1596 Baroque vara, adorned with gold ex-votos, colorful ribbons, and silver bells.

• The procession winds through the historic center amidst applause, prayers, and deep emotion
• In the square, spectators witness the uphill run of the sambrasisi, men and women running barefoot
• The event includes the blessing of the ribbons and the kissing of the statue by children

A devotion renewed in summer

The cult of Saint Blaise in Militello Rosmarino does not end in winter: the community renews the festivities in summer, usually on August 24th and 25th, with the Rite of the Entrance and the distribution of traditional votive breads. However, the winter festival remains the most intimate and emotional moment for the people of Militello, deeply rooted in the town's spirituality.