Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale
The cult of San Sebastiano has its roots in the 1400s , when the terrible disease of the plague affected entire populations. Acireale was also seriously affected and so it was that the people turned to San Sebastiano to hope for his recovery.
On January 20th Acireale is celebrating in honor of the beloved patron saint. From the early hours of the morning at the Basilica di San Sebastiano a large crowd of devotees rushes eagerly waiting for the chapel where the Saint is closed during the year to be opened. At 11.00, in the crowded square in front of the basilica, the simulacrum of the martyr appears naked in the act of suffering the martyrdom of the arrows on the artistic fercolo of the '700, greeted by ringing bells and fireworks 'article.
Particularly spectacular is the exit maneuver of the fercolo from the church where the traditionally barefoot devotees pull the baiard at high speed to the center of the square. During the journey, the Saint will make other dizzying runs. Suggestive is the return to the basilica culminating with a run back around 24.00.
Dates and Scheduling
17, 18 Jan 2025
09:00 Holy Mass.
18:00 Saranno disponibili sacerdoti per le confessioni.
19:00 Holy Mass of the Triduum presided over by the Most Reverend Don Gaetano Pappalardo, spiritual director of the Diocesan Seminary.
19 Jan 2025
Eve of the Solemnity
11:00 Holy Mass.
At the end, a short processional procession with the relics of San Sebastiano to the church of Sant'Antonio di Padova.
Exhibition and veneration of the sacred relics.
18:45 Sul sagrato della Basilica, accoglienza di S.E.R. Mons. Petar Rajiî, Arcivescovo titolare di Sarsenterum, Nunzio Apostolico in Italia e nella Repubblica di San Marino.
19:00 Solemn Holy Mass presided over by Mons. Petar Rajiè. Blessing of votive clothes and procession towards the church of Sant'Antonio di Padova.
20:15 Procession of the venerated relics of San Sebastiano.
22:00 Suono delle tradizionali “Sette Chiamate”.
NOTTE SACRA DI SAN SEBASTIANO
La basilica rimarrà aperta tutta la notte per la preghiera, con turni di veglia comunitari.
20 Jan 2025
05:00 Holy Mass.
05:45 Recitation of the meditated Holy Rosary.
06:30 Holy Mass presided over by H.E.R. Mons. Petar Rajié, Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino.
07:00 Twenty-one cannon shots will greet the solemnity.
07:30 Opening of the chapel and exhibition of the venerated simulacrum of the Holy Bimartyr for the veneration of the faithful.
07:45 Holy Mass.
09:30 Holy Mass.
11:00 Solemn exit of the venerated simulacrum of San Sebastiano.
15:30 Stop in front of the Basilica of San Sebastiano, dissolution of the vow for those who conclude the "half lap" and blessing of those who begin or continue the procession.
17:00 Holy Mass.
17:15 Arrival of the fercolo in Piazza Agostino Pennisi (former railway station) and commemoration of the blessing of the recruits who left for the war. Reflection and prayer for peace in the world dictated by the Rev. Sac. Dario Impellizzeri, parochial vicar of the parish of San Giovanni Battista in Acitrezza.
18:00 Holy Mass.
19:00 Holy Mass.
20:00 Holy Mass.
24:00 Return of the fercolo to the basilica, reposition of the statue of the Saint and closure of the chapel.
22 Jan 2025
19:00 Holy Mass of suffrage for all the deceased during 2024.
23 Jan 2025
19:00 Holy Mass.
24 Jan 2025
09:00 Holy Mass and short Eucharistic adoration.
19:00 Holy Mass and Solemn Community Eucharistic Adoration.
25 Jan 2025
Peregrinatio nella Parrocchia S. Maria del Suffragio.
09:00 Holy Mass.
16:00 Opening of the Basilica.
The simulacrum of San Sebastiano will already be exposed to the veneration of the faithful.
17:00 Solemn Holy Mass presided over by H.E.R. Monsignor Giuseppe Sciacca, titular bishop of Fondi.
18:00 Procession with the venerated Simulacrum of San Sebastiano carried "on the shoulders" by devotees.
26 Jan 2024
Children and charity day.
The simulacrum of San Sebastiano will remain exposed to the veneration of the faithful the entire day.
09:00 Holy Mass.
11:00 Solemn Holy Mass.
17:30 Holy Mass.
19:00 Holy Mass.
20:30 Prayer vigil with young people, organized by the youth sector of the Catholic Action of Acireale.
Don Pino and some volunteers from the Mission of Hope and Charity will participate.
27 Jan 2025
09:00 Holy Mass.
10:30 Holy Mass.
12:00 Holy Mass.
15:30 Holy Mass for the sick and elderly of the city.
17:00 Holy Mass with the participation of the Acireale Urban Police.
19:00 Solemn Eucharistic Celebration.
20:30 Procession with the venerated simulacrum of Saint Sebastian in Piazza Lionardo Vigo.
Blessing with the relics and closing of the chapel.
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References
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