Saint Joseph Festival

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Etna's Sicily

The Saint Joseph Festival is one of the most cherished traditions of the San Giuseppe Centro district in Aci Catena, a town in the province of Catania overlooking the eastern slopes of Mount Etna. Every year, around March 19th—the solemnity of the Patriarch Saint Joseph—the neighborhood dresses up to honor the saint for whom it is named, in a celebration that weaves together religious devotion, popular participation, and ancient local customs.

The rhythm of the festivities

The celebrations typically begin on March 1st with the ringing of bells and the firing of crackers, announcing the approach of the festival to the community. This is followed by days dedicated to the triduum (around March 15th-17th), featuring moments of prayer and traditional devotional singing. The Sunday preceding the feast day is dedicated to the Incanto, the traditional auction of gifts offered to the saint, a communal ritual that has always involved the entire neighborhood.

March 19th, the day of the Patriarch

On the main day, the schedule includes Eucharistic celebrations in the morning, a parade by the "V. Bellini" town band, and the most anticipated moment: the evening procession. Around 8:00 PM, amidst the festive sound of bells, fireworks, confetti, and colorful paper streamers, the statue of Saint Joseph leaves the church to travel through the streets of the district, accompanied by the faithful. The festival also involves local elementary schools, with children offering flowers and prayers to the Patriarch.

The rice tasting

Among the most beloved events is the traditional rice tasting, a convivial moment linked to the devotion to Saint Joseph and the Saint Joseph's table, which returned in 2025 after a hiatus, welcomed with enthusiasm by the neighborhood community.

The Church of San Giuseppe

The heart of the festival is the Church of San Giuseppe, a building of great value designed by the architect Francesco Battaglia in the 18th century (around 1730), during the reconstruction of Catania. The church is distinguished by its rare Arab-Byzantine facade, unique in the Aci Catena area, and its scenic white stone staircase. Inside, it houses a fine altarpiece dated 1740 depicting the Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family, attributed to Lorenzo Gramiccia. The Saint Joseph Festival is therefore also an opportunity to rediscover this architectural jewel in the heart of Aci Catena, Sicily.