Saint Joseph Festival (Spring Edition)

An ancient devotion in the Catania Plain

Saint Joseph has been the patron saint of Ramacca, a town in the Province of Catania, Sicily, since the early 1700s, when the village was founded in the heart of the plain of the same name. The spring edition of the Saint Joseph Festival, tied to the liturgical feast on March 19th, is one of the most heartfelt expressions of popular religious tradition in Ramacca and is distinct from the summer patronal feast held in early July.

The 'Settina' of Saint Joseph

The festivities span the entire week leading up to March 19th, known as the 'Settina'. Eucharistic celebrations take place in the Mother Church, animated by various parish groups, and culminate in the most solemn rites. On the evening of March 18th, following the Holy Rosary and Mass, the blessing of the Saint Joseph altars takes place.

Votive altars and Saint Joseph bread

The heart of the tradition lies in the votive altars, set up in private homes as a vow or in gratitude for a grace received. The tables are laden with local dishes, traditional sweets, and above all, the characteristic bread of Ramacca, shaped into symbolic forms: rings, palms, flowering staves, and hearts, all linked to the Holy Family. On the evening of March 18th, it is customary to visit the altars set up in the homes of the faithful.

The 'Tri Pirsuni' and 'pasta co' maccu'

On March 19th, the main day, a large altar is set up in Piazza Umberto I. The protagonists of the day are the 'Tri Pirsuni', three people chosen from among the neediest families to represent the Holy Family, who participate in a public banquet—a gesture recalling the charitable origins of the festival, which was created to help the poor. All attendees are offered the traditional pasta co' maccu, a fava bean-based dish typical of Sicilian cuisine.

Procession and fireworks

The day of March 19th begins with a procession of civil and military authorities and a Mass, continues with the sale of gifts offered by the faithful, and concludes with the solemn evening procession of the statue of Saint Joseph through the streets of the town, followed by a fireworks display that illuminates the sky over Ramacca.

Why attend

The Saint Joseph Festival in Ramacca offers visitors an authentic glimpse into the popular traditions of inland Sicily, where faith, gastronomy, and community intertwine in a ritual passed down through generations in the Province of Catania.