Saint Mary Magdalene Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast of Borgetto

The Saint Mary Magdalene Feast is the primary religious and civic celebration in Borgetto, a town nestled in the hinterland of the Metropolitan City of Palermo, Sicily. The saint is the town's patron, celebrated annually on July 22nd, the day the Universal Church commemorates Mary of Magdala, the disciple whom the Gospel identifies as one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection.

The Heart of the Celebration

The focal point of the festivities is the solemn mass held in the Mother Church, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. During the liturgy, a deeply symbolic gesture, cherished by the community, takes place: the presentation of the city keys to the Patron Saint, a sign by which Borgetto ideally entrusts itself to the saint's protection.

As evening falls, the most anticipated moment occurs: the procession of the statue. The statue of Magdalene is carried on shoulders through the historic center, accompanied by the faithful, local authorities, and, in keeping with Sicilian patronal tradition, a brass band that leads the parade. The streets fill with lights, decorations, and devotion, creating an atmosphere that blends religious reflection with popular celebration.

The Mother Church and Borgetto's Heritage

The Mother Church of Borgetto, an 18th-century building, houses a Baroque bell tower from 1762 and a marble bas-relief depicting Saint Mary Magdalene, attributed to the Gagini school, as well as an altarpiece. Devotion to the Magdalene is tied to the very identity of the town, whose name derives from the term "burg" (tower-castle), as recalled by the municipal coat of arms featuring a lion and a tower.

A Community in Celebration

The Saint Mary Magdalene Feast represents much more than a liturgical appointment for Borgetto: it is an occasion for the community to reunite, for the many Borgetto natives who have emigrated to return home, and for traditions to be passed down to new generations. Along with the Feast of Saint Joseph (March) and the celebrations in honor of the Madonna del Romitello, it is one of the key moments marking the religious and civic calendar of this village in the heart of western Sicily.