Saint Joseph Festival and Sirata ra Ricotta

A festival that weaves faith and community

In Pozzallo, a seaside town in the province of Ragusa in south-eastern Sicily, the Saint Joseph Festival is one of the most cherished events in the religious and popular calendar. The celebrations, organized by the San Paolo Apostolo Parish, take place in the days around March 19th, the feast day of the Patriarch, who is celebrated here as the protector of fathers and workers. The devotion is deeply rooted in the town's history: Saint Joseph was chosen as patron during the formation of the municipality, thanks to the large presence of artisans, and although he is no longer officially the patron saint, the community has kept the tradition alive from generation to generation.

The Sirata ra Ricotta

The most anticipated and iconic moment is the "Sirata ra Ricotta", an evening that transforms the churchyard into a vibrant hub of conviviality. The absolute star is the warm ricotta, prepared on the spot and served with homemade bread: a tribute to the flavors of the past and the farming and dairy culture of the Iblean territory. The evening also comes alive with traditional games like tug-of-war and "guess the weight," and with "Sei Forte Papà" (You're a Strong Dad), a challenge where the fathers of the catechism children compete in popular games to joyfully honor the figure of the Saint.

The statue and the procession

Housed in the Church of San Paolo Apostolo, the papier-mâché statue of Saint Joseph is a work by the Salento school, created by master papier-mâché artist Antonio Papa. After days of spiritual preparation, the statue is moved to the altar and accompanies the central moments of the festival. On March 19th, after the solemn concelebration with the blessing of the bread and the act of entrustment of the fathers and the entire city, the statue crosses the church portal for the procession through the main streets of the neighborhood, bringing the Saint's blessing to the homes of the people of Pozzallo.

Rites, meditation, and celebration

• Spiritual exercises and a triduum of meditation in the days leading up to the festival
• Transfer of the statue to the altar and blessing of the children
• Morning meeting with local schools
• Festive ringing of bells and firecracker displays at dawn on March 19th
• Eucharistic adoration and solemn concelebration with the blessing of the bread
• Evening procession of the statue through the town streets
• Fireworks display upon the return of the statue and charity raffle

A Pozzallo tradition

Between reflection and joy, the Saint Joseph Festival and the Sirata ra Ricotta represent an authentic opportunity to discover the religious and gastronomic traditions of Pozzallo and the Iblean plateau. An event that unites generations and tells the story of a Sicilian community deeply connected to its faith and history.