Feast of S. Agata in Catania
Leandro Neumann Ciuffo - CC2.0
The feast of Sant'Agata, patron saint of Catania, is one of the most beautiful patronal feasts in the world. It takes place in the streets of the city of Catania from 3 to 5 February. The festival is a mixture of worship, devotion, folklore and traditions that attracts up to a million people every year, including devotees and curious people. During the festival a silver fercolo, "a vara", with a bust containing the relics of the Saint, is tirelessly followed in procession by hundreds of devoted citizens clinging to two cords of over 100 meters. Over all the unanimous cry of devotion "Citizens, citizens, semu all devotees all?" The fercolo is a refined work of silverware. It was built by Vincenzo Archifel in 1519. Over the centuries, different workers have alternated in the embellishment of the work which over the centuries has undergone various transformations: the brands and initials on the silver parts are evidence of this. In the lower plinth several panels illustrate scenes from the life, the martyrdom of the Saint and the return to Catania of the relics from Constantinople. Above, crowning the roof, surrounded by statuettes in the round depicting the 12 apostles, are the symbols linked to Saint Agatha and her martyrdom such as a crown, a lily and a palm tree.
On the days 16 and 17 August the anniversary of the return to the homeland of the relics of Saint Agatha of Constantinople and the anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral Basilica are celebrated, on the occasion of which a busy liturgical program takes place and the transfer of the relics of the Patron Saint to the main altar takes place
Dates and Scheduling
21 - 28 Jan 2025
Photographic exhibition “Sant'Agata la Festa” curated by Mario Bucolo at the Italian Cultural Institute in London.
23 Jan - 3 Feb 2025
09:00 - 19:00 Exhibition of wooden works and paintings “Clara Voce”, author Prof. Emanuele Monteforte.
Palazzo della Cultura
23 Jan 2025
16:30 - 18:30 “School of Peace”, Creative workshop for children organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, at San Cristoforo Parish.
17:30 Inaugural concert of the "Clara Voce" exhibition by the Sicilian Lyric Choir directed by Maestro Francesco Costa. Music by Prof. Emanuele Monteforte.
Palazzo Platamone
24 Jan 2025
17:30 "La Festa di Sant'Agata”. Il culto e la tradizione popolare, a cura dei Lions V Circoscrizione e dell'Arcidiocesi di Catania.
Relatori: Mons. Barbaro Scionti, Prof. Ing. Salvo Calogero, presso Sala Marchese - Palazzo della Cultura.
Palazzo della Cultura
20:00 "Songs and Hymns in honor of Sant'Agata" by the G. Tovini Choir directed by Maestro Pietro Valguarnera, at the Collegiate Basilica.
25 Jan 2025
11:00 Documentary screening “Agueda” by Alfonso Palazon at Comunità Sant'Egidio.
Via G. Garibaldi, 89
16:00 Liturgy with young people organized by the Archdiocese and, following, Symposium of Young In-Dependents at the Cathedral Basilica of Sant'Agata Piazza Duomo.
20:00 Associazione Musicale Etnea presso Santuario San Michele Arcangelo ai Minoriti, via Etnea, 85.
26 Jan 2025
09:00 19th Sant'Agata Trophy - Gigi Pili Memorial (Swimming)
Piscina Nesima
14:00 VIII Trofeo Sant'Agata di Tennistavolo.
Palaspedini
18:30 Consegna anello al Santo Carcere da parte del Sindaco, Avv. Enrico Trantino a Sua Eccellenza Mons. Luigi Renna Arcivescovo Metropolita di Catania.
20:00 Floral tribute from the Circolo Cittadino di Sant'Agata, at Piazza dei Martiri.
Piazza dei Martiri
28 Jan 2025
18:00 "Sant'Agata Conference, a sign of hope and a witness to freedom", organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio.
Chiesa di Santa Chiara
29 Jan 2025
09:00 Tavola rotonda “Comunicare il sacro. Agata donna di speranza” a cura dell'Unione Giornalisti Cattolici, presso Convitto Mario Cutelli.
Convitto Mario Cutelli
30 Jan 2025
07:30 Holy Mass in the chapel of Sant'Agata.
10:00 Holy Mass presided over by H.E.R. Monsignor Archbishop; the Armed Forces, the State Police, the Fire Brigade, the Municipal Police, the Penitentiary Police, the Vigilantes and the Combatant and Arms Associations will participate.
10:30 Conference "Music for Agata. The cult of the Saint between myth and ritual.”
18:00 Holy Mass presided over by Monsignor Giovanni Accolla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Messina with the participation of ANDOS - Catania, of the "Ricominciare" Association and "Il filo della vita"; at the end of the deed of entrustment to S. Agata of the women who underwent breast surgery.
dal 30 gennaio al 12 febbraio
Concorso miglior vetrina “Amo Sant'Agata” a cura di Confcommercio - CIDEC/Confesercenti.
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References
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