SS. Maria delle Grazie Patronal Feast and Historic Fair of Termini

A festival that embodies the village's memory and identity

The SS. Maria delle Grazie Patronal Feast is the most cherished religious and civic event in Terme Vigliatore, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina overlooking the Gulf of Patti in Sicily. Every year around September 15th, the entire community gathers around the venerated effigy of the Madonna delle Grazie, kept in the Church of the Benedictines, for three days of celebrations that unite faith, tradition, and social life.

The Historic Fair of Termini

What makes this festival unique is its connection to the Historic Fair of Termini, an ancient market whose charter dates back to King Philip III in the early 17th century (1623). The fair opens its doors in the days leading up to the feast, enlivening the Church and the Benedictine Park with stalls, local products, and the lively atmosphere of traditional markets, blending popular commerce with the sacred nature of the occasion.

The artistic Infiorata on the staircase

Among the most beloved events is the artistic Infiorata, created on the village staircase by master Umberto Cipriano with the support of the Pro Loco: a large mosaic made entirely of petals and flowers, an annual tribute to the Madonna that attracts curious visitors and the faithful alike. In 2025, the work reached its fifteenth edition, confirming itself as a symbol of the town's creativity and devotion.

Procession, performances, and tradition

The program alternates liturgical moments with civic festivities: the novena, Eucharistic celebrations, and the solemn procession on September 15th, when the statue of the Madonna, adorned with flowers and ex-votos donated by the faithful over time, travels through the streets of the town before returning to the Benedictine Park in the evening amidst great emotion. Alongside the devotion, the festival offers a pastry festival, theatrical and entertainment shows, brass band concerts, and the traditional fireworks display that closes the festivities.

An experience to live

More than just an event, the Patronal Feast of Terme Vigliatore is a collective experience that spans generations and tells the story of the soul of a village in the Messina area. Those visiting Sicily in September will find here the opportunity to discover an authentic tradition where the sacred and the profane have coexisted for centuries in the shadow of the Church of the Benedictines.