Saint Joseph Festival — Patronal Feast of Raddusa

The patronal feast of Raddusa

In Raddusa, a town of just over two thousand inhabitants nestled in the grain-growing countryside of the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, Saint Joseph is the patron saint and the heart of community life. Devotion to the saint is expressed twice a year through two distinct yet complementary events: the liturgical feast on March 19th and the main patronal feast on September 19th. The latter has always been linked to the local agricultural cycle, where the primary activity is the cultivation of durum wheat: the community gathers to thank Saint Joseph for the year's harvest.

The votive altars of March 19th

On March 19th, the liturgical day of Saint Joseph, the ancient tradition of votive altars comes to life in Raddusa. In private homes, enormous tables are set up, overflowing with all kinds of delicacies—true compositions of bread, sweets, and dishes. At noon, a ritual banquet takes place where three poor people represent the Holy Family—Saint Joseph, the Madonna, and the Baby Jesus—and are offered food. These altars originate as a vow, in gratitude for a received grace or as a commitment to obtain the saint's intercession, and the food is then distributed to the needy, keeping alive a centuries-old custom of sharing.

The procession and festivities of September 19th

September 19th is the actual patronal feast. The day begins with morning announcements, church bells ringing, and cannon salutes. Holy Masses are celebrated in the church, and at nightfall, the solemn procession of the Saint Joseph statue begins, accompanied by a marching band through the town center. The parade concludes late in the evening when the statue returns to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a fireworks display.

• Traditional fair with stalls along Via Regina Margherita
• Illuminations in the town squares and streets
• Musical performance in Piazza Umberto I
• Fireworks display late in the evening

Saint Joseph's pasta

Among the specialties linked to the festival, Saint Joseph's pasta stands out—a legume-based soup with homemade pasta, prepared in a large traditional pot called a quadara. It is a dish that combines devotion and conviviality, a symbol of the peasant culture of Raddusa and all of central Sicily.

An event to experience

Experiencing the Saint Joseph Festival in Raddusa means connecting with the most authentic side of Sicily, that of the small grain-producing towns in the Catania hinterland, where faith, agricultural tradition, and hospitality intertwine. The dates for the 2026 edition are confirmed for March 19th and September 19th, 2026; the detailed program for the September festivities is usually published by the Municipality of Raddusa in the weeks leading up to the feast.