Palm Sunday in Butera
Traditions
On the occasion of Palm Sunday, Butera hosts the feast of Santu Sarbaturi, i.e. of San Salvatore, the day on which the city remembers the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem. It is a suggestive and traditional historical re-enactment in which twelve men in historical clothes parade, impersonating the twelve Apostles.
At the end of the morning solemn Mass at the Church of Maria SS. delle Grazie begins the procession of the simulacrum of the SS. Savior followed by the twelve Apostles who heads out of the inhabited center along the surrounding countryside. Among the Apostles, the figure of Judas stands out, a character with deliberately caricatural attitudes. All the faithful then go to the gates of the city, to u Santu Piu, a very suggestive place which is decorated with palm trees where, around noon, the triumphal procession arrives. According to tradition, a kind of auction takes place before entering Jerusalem: the simulacrum of the Savior will in fact be supported by the shoulder who has offered the most, a' advance by sword. After a brief stop in the square, the procession heads towards the Mother Church where the solemn celebration will be celebrated with original music and melodies that refer to the classic Gregorian and to harmonies of ancient popular origin.
Dates and Scheduling
10, 11, 12 Apr 2025
19:00 Holy Mass.
13 Apr 2025
Palm Sunday
08:00 Festive ringing of the bells and departure of the Apostles in traditional clothes from the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù towards the church of Maria SS. delle Grazie.
08:30 Blessing of palm and olive branches and Eucharistic Celebration.
09:30 Exit of the Holy Savior followed by the twelve Apostles and beginning of the procession.
10:30 At the ancient mill climb “Santu Piu” traditional “Avanzata a spadda” (advance on the shoulder) and re-enactment of the entrance into Jerusalem with the singing of “Gloria Laus et Honor” sung by the priests of the city.
Ingresso in Piazza Dante, breve sosta, e prosecuzione della processione verso la Chiesa Madre.
11:30 In the Mother Church, Eucharistic Celebration.
At the end, procession towards the church Maria SS. delle Grazie.
The procession will be accompanied by the "Salvatore Lumia" musical band of Butera.
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References
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