The Miracle of the Rain in Caltabellotta
According to popular tradition, in 1957 in Caltabellotta, after a period of great drought, the miracle of rain occurred.
It is said that in 1956 there was a year of great drought that lasted until March 1957. The situation was so serious that the citizens decided to bring the statues of the Most Holy Mary and the Most Holy God to the Giubbu district, according to the indications of an elderly lady who had been educated during a dream.
The citizens crying behind the statues shouted: "l'acqua e lu pani vulemu", that is "we want water and bread". In the Giubbu district, the Vare dei Santi were arranged so as to look towards the countryside, perched on the edge of the precipice. Here in the distance appeared a small cloud which as it approached the town was growing until it covered the sky. Thus it was that it began to rain lightly for the whole procession on the way back to the churches. As soon as the simulacra had entered, the rain increased, satiating all the thirsty countryside.
From that day every year, to give thanks and to remember that event, a committee made up of women only, works to organize a thanksgiving party, which wants to remember the miracle of rain.
