Saint Joseph Feast and Historical Fair

The patronal feast of Acquedolci

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the ancient town of Acquedolci, located on the Tyrrhenian coast in the province of Messina, at the foot of the Nebrodi mountains. Devotion to the saint is deeply rooted in the town's history; the cult was already vibrant in the old Borgo di Marina and remains the heart of the community's identity today. The feast is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of May, preceded by the ancient Historical Fair of May 14th, in a blend of the sacred and the secular that has been passed down for generations.

The Historical Fair of May 14th

By ancient custom, the festivities open with the May 14th Fair, a livestock and general goods market that once drew breeders, merchants, and farmers from across the entire Nebrodi region. The fair precedes the religious celebration and keeps the popular and mercantile spirit of the event alive, with stalls, displays, and lively activity in the town's central streets.

The procession and the statue

The highlight is the procession of the statue of Saint Joseph, which winds through the main town streets—including Via Palermo, Via Cadorna, Via Diaz, the Cathedral, Piazza Federico II, and Piazza Libertà—before returning to the Mother Church. The current statue, depicting a very young Saint Joseph holding a blessing Child, arrived from Rome in 1925, replacing the ancient effigy. The feast often coincides with First Communions: in the morning, children dressed in white, carrying lilies, parade toward the church accompanied by the marching band; in the afternoon, the patronal procession takes place amidst illuminations and stalls along the main thoroughfare.

Labor history and tradition

The Saint Joseph feast in Acquedolci carries a strong memory of labor: the saint is venerated as the protector of workers and carpenters. It is no coincidence that one of the first Mutual Aid Societies in Sicily was founded here in 1911, and in the 1920s, the Pio Sodalizio San Giuseppe was established—the brotherhood that still organizes the festivities today. The saint is also celebrated on March 19th, a liturgical anniversary accompanied by an evening candlelight procession.

Where and when

The event takes place in the historic center of Acquedolci, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina, in Sicily. The setting is the Nebrodi coast, between the sea and the mountains, just a few kilometers from Sant'Agata di Militello. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the popular traditions of the Nebrodi in one of their most authentic expressions.