Feast of San Placido in Castel di Lucio
The Feast of the Patron Saint San Placido in Castel di Lucio is celebrated every year on August 20 and October 5.
The summer festival is called Festa di San Placido "u granni", since emigrants who manage to return to Sicily in the summer participate in it, while the autumn one is called the Festa di San Placido "u picciddu", given the lower number of devotees.
The Festa di San Placido "u picciddu", in October, is traditionally preceded by the Fair of San Placido with agricultural products and animals.
The solemn procession and ballatedda di San Plà, or the ballet of San Placido which is performed by the bearers according to a precise choreography supported by the music of the band.
The Festa di San Placido "u granni", in August, consists of three moments rich in faith and folklore: 'A cchianata di San Plà, 'A calata a cira and 'A prucissioni.
'A cchianata di San Plà, i.e. the ascent of San Placido, takes place on the first day of the novena: the statue of San Placido is placed above an altar which, through a winch mechanism, will simulate the ascent into heaven of the Saint. During the novena, before the celebration of Vespers and the mass of August 20, the statue will slowly move towards the other.
'A calata a cira, i.e. the descent of the wax, takes place on the eve of the feast: the Saint's relics are carried in procession from the little church of Santa Lucia to the Mother Church accompanied by the faithful holding large lighted candles, offered as a vow, which are extinguished once they reach the church.
'A prucissioni, i.e. the procession, takes place on the feast day. The procession follows, in a first phase, a well-defined path up to the church of Santa Lucia. In a second phase, the route is decided directly by the people, and the procession thus crosses all the streets of the town and every time it passes through Piazza Umberto I, the characteristic ballet of San Placido takes place. During the procession there are two stops, the vippite, during which the bearers are refreshed with biscuits and drinks. Shortly before arriving at the Mother Church, a last stop is made to watch the fireworks show.
On the occasion of the Feast of San Placido, a procession of children is also traditionally organised, with small simulacra carried on the shoulders of the little bearers.
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References
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