Feast of Sant'Angelo in Licata

The feast of the patron saint Sant'Angelo in Licata is celebrated in the month of May and in the month of August.

During the feast of Sant'Angelo in May the procession takes place of the five candles, placed on 5-metre-high wooden towers, a tribute to the classes of massari, peasants, sailors, farmers and shepherds. On the day of the feast, the relics of the Saint are carried on the shoulders, in turn, by the various classes in their traditional costumes.
three races are linked to the event: the first takes place between faithful linked between them as they clutch the urn of the Saint to the cry of "Viva Sant'Angelo"; the second concerns the candles that surmount the respective wooden towers; the third run brings the silver urn of the Saint back to the church.
The custom still remains among the peasants of thanking the Saint for the good harvest, bringing "mules dressed for the holidays" to the church, with a cash offering which is given to the parish priest.

The mid-August summer festival in honor of the Patron Saint Sant'Angelo Martire, is celebrated in memory of the liberation of the city from he plague epidemic of 1625: in June 1625 Sicily was invaded by the plague and in the month of August Licata was completely freed from the lethal disease through the intercession of Sant'Angelo, to whom the people of Licata continually addressed devout prayers and supplications.
In the evening on the eve of the feast, at the end of the Holy Mass, the urn is taken from the chapel according to a precise ritual: it is opened with three keys by the Mayor, the Archpriest and the Rector of the Sanctuary, and placed on the main altar where the solemn Vespers.
On Sunday morning, during the Holy Mass, the offering of gifts and the blessing of the children devoted to Sant'Angelo takes place.
In the evening, a procession takes place through the streets of the city, during which the traditional "urn races" which commemorate when, due to the invasion of the Turks, the relics were rushed out of the city to save them from being desecrated.

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