Saint Lucy Festival (December Patronal Feast)

Saint Lucy Festival 2025 — "Fidem Servavi"

The 2025 edition of the patronal feast of Syracuse was marked by an exceptional event: the arrival of the relics of Saint Lucy from Venice, which made the festivities even more solemn and well-attended. The theme of the year, Fidem Servavi, was inspired by the pastoral letter of Archbishop Francesco Lomanto.

The tredicina kicked off on November 29th, with the relic on pilgrimage among the city's parishes. On December 13th, the Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral was presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina; in the afternoon, at 3:30 PM, the silver simulacrum left the Cathedral for the procession to the Basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, along a route that touched Via Agatocle. After the octave, the return procession on December 20th brought the statue back to the Cathedral, greeted by fireworks at the Umbertino Bridge.

December 13, 2025 — Festival Day

• 10:30 AM — Solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral, presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome.
• 3:30 PM — Departure of the silver simulacrum from the Cathedral and procession to the Basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, along Via Agatocle with a stop at the Oratory of Via degli Orti.

Tredicina and Eve

• November 29 - December 8 — Tredicina, with the relic on pilgrimage in city parishes and evening celebrations.
• December 9 — Solemn opening of the festivities and delivery of the keys.
• December 12 — Solemn Vespers at 7:00 PM; traditional tasting of the 'cuccìa'.

Octave and Return

• December 14-20 — Octave, with the basilica open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM and daily celebrations.
• December 14 — Arrival of the relics from Venice, welcomed at the Basilica Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime.
• December 19 — Evening Via Lucis (9:00 PM), dedicated to young people.
• December 20 — Octave return procession, with the simulacrum returning to the Cathedral (3:00 PM) and fireworks at the Umbertino Bridge.