Saint Maurus the Abbot Festival

The Patronal Feast of Viagrande

The Saint Maurus the Abbot Festival has long been the primary celebration in Viagrande, a town in the Etna region within the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily. Saint Maurus, a disciple of Saint Benedict, was chosen as the town's patron in the late 18th century. Since then, his memory has been honored every January 15th with massive participation from locals and visitors from neighboring towns.

The Days of Celebration

The heart of the festival beats between January 14th and 15th. The eve begins with the traditional livestock fair, featuring agricultural tools, plants, and flowers at Piano Gelsi—a nod to the area's rural heritage. Throughout the day, events include a mass with the veneration of the relic, a parade of Sicilian carts, the launch of a hot-air balloon from Piazza San Mauro, and, in the evening, the procession of the reliquaries of Saint Maurus and Saint Placid.

On January 15th, the solemn day, the morning is dedicated to the pontifical Eucharistic celebration at the Mother Church of Santa Maria dell'Idria. At exactly 1:00 PM, the triumphal exit of the saint's statue takes place, accompanied by a fireworks display described by tradition as "unrivaled," followed by the long procession of the fercolo through the town streets, accompanied by marching bands and the faithful.

Traditions: Neighborhood Chants and the Descent of the Angel

Among the most characteristic elements of the festival are the ancient neighborhood chants: the community is historically divided into two "parties," Santa Caterina and Scalatelli, which engage in a friendly competition featuring traditional songs and fireworks. Upon the return of the fercolo to Piazza San Mauro, the evocative Calata dell'Angelo takes place: a wooden angel is lowered from a canopy above the statue to offer flowers and gifts to the Saint—a moment eagerly awaited and applauded by the entire square.

The Patronage Feast in September

The winter celebration is followed on the first Sunday of September by the Patronage feast: the shrine of Saint Maurus is reopened to allow the many faithful and summer vacationers on Mount Etna to venerate the patron saint if they were unable to attend the January festivities.

A Defining Event of the Etna Region

The Saint Maurus the Abbot Festival weaves together popular religiosity, folklore, and rural memory, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the traditions of the towns on the slopes of Mount Etna. Between processions, fireworks, and neighborhood songs, Viagrande experiences two intense days that renew the community's bond with its patron saint every year.