Saint Joseph Festival

A celebration of faith and community in the Sicani Mountains

In Alessandria della Rocca, a village of just over three thousand inhabitants nestled in the Sicani Mountains, in the province of Agrigento, the Saint Joseph Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year. It is celebrated in March, around the 19th, the day dedicated to the Patriarch, involving the entire community in a blend of religious devotion and folk tradition passed down through generations.

The banquet and votive altars

As in many other Sicilian towns, the festival revolves around the Saint Joseph altars, set up and covered with dishes, sweets, and above all, the characteristic votive bread, crafted and decorated with symbolic shapes. The most evocative moment is the tavolata (banquet): a long table laden with traditional dishes offered to the community, a symbol of abundance, sharing, and devotion. In front of the table, a sacred stage is set up featuring the reenactment of the Holy Family—Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the Baby Jesus—according to a custom widespread throughout the island.

The procession of the statue

On the evening of the solemn day, the statue of Saint Joseph is carried in procession along the streets of the historic center, starting from the Mother Church of Santa Maria del Pilar. The Eucharistic celebration and the procession are the religious heart of the festival, accompanied by the participation of the entire village.

Committee, Deputation, and the transmission of tradition

The festival is organized by the Committee and the Deputation of Saint Joseph. A unique feature that keeps the tradition alive is the drawing, at the end of the festivities, of the organizing committee for the following year: a passing of the torch that ensures the continuity of the festival year after year. There is also a prize raffle and moments of conviviality that animate the community.

A village to discover

Alessandria della Rocca, in the heart of the Sicani Mountains, also houses the Carmine Church with stuccoes by Giacomo Serpotta, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca, and the ruins of the Pietra d'Amico Castle. The Saint Joseph Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover this authentic corner of inland Sicily, far from the most beaten tourist paths.