Virginieddi Feast and Saint Joseph's Tables

The 2025 edition of the Virginieddi Feast took place on March 19 in Montemaggiore Belsito, in the province of Palermo, confirming the vitality of one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Madonie town.

As per custom, families invited local children—the Virginieddi, symbols of the Holy Family—to their tables, serving them a ritual lunch followed by the banquet for adults. The altar of Saint Joseph, adorned with laurel and local herbs, served as the backdrop for the distribution of blessed bread. There was no shortage of typical sweets, from pignolata and cannoli to the sfince di San Giuseppe, prepared with local ingredients according to recipes passed down through time.