Saint Leonard Festival

An ancient devotion in the heart of the Peloritani mountains

The Saint Leonard Festival is the patronal feast of the hamlet of Mongiuffi, in the municipality of Mongiuffi Melia, a small village in the hinterland of Taormina in the province of Messina, Sicily. Nestled at an altitude of about 420 meters in the Ghiodaro stream valley, the town consists of two inhabited areas—Mongiuffi and Melia—connected by a bridge. Saint Leonard is venerated in Mongiuffi as a special patron and protector, chosen for the numerous graces obtained by the community over the centuries.

When it takes place

The festivities traditionally take place from November 5th to 7th, culminating on November 6th, the liturgical day dedicated to the Saint. The celebrations are preceded by a solemn novena of prayers that prepares the community for the most heartfelt event of the year.

The eve and the opening of the chapel

On November 5th, the eve of the festival, the chapel is opened and the ancient, artistic statue of the Saint is shown to the public—a rare event that, according to tradition, occurs only a few times a year. The statue is placed inside the vara (processional float) and accompanied in procession from the Church of Saint Leonard, in the upper part of the village, to the parish church. Mass is celebrated, the cuddure are blessed, and the evening continues with the Cuzzola Festival, featuring typical fried dough served with local cheese and wine.

November 6th: The Saint's Day

At the first light of dawn, to the sound of bells, the Office in honor of Saint Leonard is recited, featuring ancient prayers in Latin and Sicilian. This is followed by the solemn Mass and the morning procession of the statue through the village streets, accompanied by the banners of the congregations. Around noon, in Piazza Fontana, the most characteristic moment takes place: the blessing and distribution of the cuddure, rings of braided bread dough hand-decorated with roses and floral ornaments, offered to the Saint as a sign of devotion and gratitude. In the afternoon, a second procession winds through the village streets, and upon the return of the statue, the sky lights up with a grand pyromusical show. To close the day, the Roasted Chestnut Festival brings together residents and visitors.

The return of the statue

On November 7th, in the afternoon, the statue of the Patron Saint is escorted back in procession to the Church of Saint Leonard, thus concluding the three days of festivities.

Flavors and traditions

• Cuddure: Braided bread rings, true hand-decorated works of art and a symbol of the festival.
• Cuzzola: Traditional fried dough, the star of the eve's festival.
• Roasted chestnuts: Chestnuts that scent the autumn evenings of the village.

The Saint Leonard Festival represents one of the most authentic identity-defining events in the Ghiodaro valley, where faith, folklore, and popular gastronomy merge in a celebration passed down through generations.