Feast of Maria SS di Valverde in Enna
In Enna, the celebrations in honor of Maria SS. of Valverde, patron saint of the Enna people until 1412, are held on the last Sunday of August.
The week preceding the feast day, the wooden simulacrum of the Virgin Mary is unveiled and exhibited in a ceremony that formalizes the opening of the celebrations.
On the eve of the feast, in the morning, the traditional holy mass of the "Verginelle" takes place, that is the girls who recall the episode lived by their ancestors, who escaped a cruel sacrifice thanks to San Pancrazio, who are then invited from some families who have received special graces from Our Lady. Traditionally, the girls who have observed fasting until noon eat a frugal lunch prepared by the host families. Also on Sundays, the maidens have lunch with these families. The eve ends with Solemn Vespers.
The feast day is announced by 101 cannon shots. The most awaited moment is the solemn procession that starts from the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Valverde and goes to the Cathedral, where the Solemn Mass is celebrated, and then heads towards the church of San Tommaso. The fercolo, called the "Nave d'Oro" of the Madonna di Valverde, is accompanied by the fercoli of S. Michele Arcangelo and S. Giuseppe, the virgin girls dressed in white, the clergy, the local authorities, the Procurators, the town band and the faithful. The party ends with music, games and fireworks.
The week preceding the feast day, the wooden simulacrum of the Virgin Mary is unveiled and exhibited in a ceremony that formalizes the opening of the celebrations.
On the eve of the feast, in the morning, the traditional holy mass of the "Verginelle" takes place, that is the girls who recall the episode lived by their ancestors, who escaped a cruel sacrifice thanks to San Pancrazio, who are then invited from some families who have received special graces from Our Lady. Traditionally, the girls who have observed fasting until noon eat a frugal lunch prepared by the host families. Also on Sundays, the maidens have lunch with these families. The eve ends with Solemn Vespers.
The feast day is announced by 101 cannon shots. The most awaited moment is the solemn procession that starts from the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Valverde and goes to the Cathedral, where the Solemn Mass is celebrated, and then heads towards the church of San Tommaso. The fercolo, called the "Nave d'Oro" of the Madonna di Valverde, is accompanied by the fercoli of S. Michele Arcangelo and S. Giuseppe, the virgin girls dressed in white, the clergy, the local authorities, the Procurators, the town band and the faithful. The party ends with music, games and fireworks.
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References
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