Easter in Ispica
In Ispica, on the occasion of the celebrations of Holy Easter, faith, tradition and folklore come together to offer spectacles of great beauty.
On the night of Holy Thursday a suggestive procession starts from the rock church of Santa Maria della Cava and arrives at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the square in front of which the Crucifixion and the deposition of Christ are staged. The traditional opening of the doors follows: at 4:00 o'clock the parish priest knocks three times on the door of the basilica which will open allowing the devotees to enter. At 11:00 the parish priest goes up to the altar of Christ scourged at the Column and knocking three times makes the doors that hide him slide down. This is followed by the rite of the "scinnuta", that is, of the "descent". In the afternoon the long procession begins in which the simulacrum of the Addolorata and the scourged Christ at the Column will meet: according to the rite, the Mother of Sorrows bows three times before her Son.
Good Friday, locally known as "U venniri ra 'Santa Cascia ", takes place the procession of the reliquary urn containing a fragment of the crown woven by the Romans and placed on the head of Christ, called" Santa Cascia "where" Cascia "indicates" Urn ", and the dramatized re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Christ . The procession starts from the basilica of SS. Annunziata and is preceded by two Roman soldiers on horseback, and during the tour through the streets of Ispica she will meet the Addolorata carried on the shoulder by Cavari. Slowly the procession heads towards the church while the band plays funeral marches. Only when it is dark will the devotees return Christ to the Cross in his altar, but not before having made some turns in the aisles of the basilica.
Easter day is celebrated the Feast of the Resurrected, the Risen Christ of the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunziata. The Easter procession follows in which the simulacra of the Risen Jesus and the Madonna meet. The meeting ends with a spectacular race to the church.
Dates and Scheduling
11 Apr 2025
20:00 Procession of the Reliquary Urn containing the Holy Thorn.
21:30 Living Via Crucis with the Don Bosco Catholic Association, the Archconfraternity of SS Annunziata and groups from the parish community.
Exposition of the Dead SS. Christ / Return to the Basilica / Veneration of the Dead SS. Christ (Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament).
Placement of the Holy Thorn in the simulacrum of the SS. Christ with the Cross.
23:00 Raising of the doors of the Holy Christ with the Cross.
13 Apr 2025
11:00 Living representation of Christ's entry into Jerusalem and Blessing of the Palms (from Rotonda “Carabinieri di Nassirya” to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore).
21:00 Procession of the Dead Christ with the Sorrowful Virgin and St. John.
17 Apr 2025
Christ at the Column Day (Basilica S. Maria Maggiore).
Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
02:00 Night Via Crucis (starting from the rock church of S. Maria della Cava).
04:00 Opening of the doors of the Basilica and thanksgiving at the altar of Christ at the Column.
11:00
Entrance of the “Vara” into the Basilica
Unveiling and translation to the center of the Basilica of the simulacrum of the SS. Christ Flagellated at the Column
16:00 Solemn Mass in Coena Domini.
17:00 Procession of the simulacrum of Christ Flagellated at the Column through the city streets.
20:00 Meeting with the Addolorata of the “Nunziatari” on Corso Garibaldi.
24:00 Return to the Basilica and traditional “tours”.
18 Apr 2025
Christ at the Cross Day
Basilica SS. Annunziata
06:30
Opening of the doors of the Basilica
“Thanksgiving” to the Most Holy Christ with the Cross
Offering of ex-votos at dinner
10:30 Collection of the “Vara” by the porters and entry into the Basilica.
11:00 Fall of the doors and descent of the Holy Christ with the Cross.
15:30 Function of the Adoration of the Cross.
16:30
Arrival of the Roman Cavalry.
Picking up of the delegation from the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.
17:00 Traditional solemn procession of the Simulacrum of the Holy Christ with the Cross.
20:00 Meeting with the Addolorata of the “Cavari” (Via XX Settembre).
24:00 Return to the Basilica and traditional "tours".
19 Apr 2025
22:30 Easter Vigil.
24:00 Spectacular Resurrection of Christ.
20 Apr 2025
12:00 Joyful encounter with the race of the Risen Christ with Our Lady of Sorrows (Corso Garibaldi).
13:00 Return to the Basilica of SS. Annunziata.
Basilica SS. Annunziata
20:30 Evening procession of the Risen Christ.
22:00 Fireworks.
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References
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