Saint Joseph Festival

A popular festival at the foot of Mount Etna

The Saint Joseph Festival is one of the most deep-rooted traditions in Nicolosi, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, known as "the gateway to Etna" due to its location on the volcano's slopes. Every year, on March 18th and 19th, the community gathers around the cult of Saint Joseph, Patriarch of the Universal Church, in an event that combines religious devotion, solidarity, and village conviviality.

Chickpea soup, the heart of the tradition

The most characteristic and anticipated element is the traditional distribution of chickpea soup, which takes place on the morning of March 18th thanks to the efforts of the committee volunteers and the local women. This simple and ancient gesture of sharing reflects the values of hospitality and charity associated with Saint Joseph, the protector of workers and families, bringing together locals and visitors in a moment of community celebration.

The procession of the statue

During the two days of festivities, the statue of the Saint is unveiled from its niche, lifted onto shoulders, and placed on the float to be carried in procession through the town streets. The devotional parade, accompanied by the faithful and offerings of the first fruits of the harvest, travels through the historic center to the Mother Church, the 18th-century Church of the Holy Spirit overlooking Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the spiritual and topographical heart of the Etnean village.

The charity auction and the Saint Joseph Trophy

Crowning the festival is the auction of the many gifts collected for the Saint during the days: items and products donated by citizens are put up for bidding, and the proceeds are reinvested to fund the following year's festival. Among the side events is the Saint Joseph Trophy, a non-competitive running race that enlivens the morning of March 19th, involving athletes and enthusiasts along the town's roads.

An authentic experience on Mount Etna

Participating in the Saint Joseph Festival means immersing yourself in the authenticity of a Sicilian village festival, far from the major tourist circuits and close to the real life of the community. Between the scent of chickpea soup, the chants of the procession, and the warmth of the charity auction, Nicolosi offers a genuine glimpse into Etnean popular religiosity, set in a unique natural landscape just a few kilometers from the volcano's summit craters.