Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora

Every year in July in the Sicilian municipality of Spadafora is celebrated the feast of Saint Joseph, patron of the city. It is a much awaited event, which attracts not only the inhabitants of Spadafora but also all those who have moved abroad or to other cities but on that day.
Very important for the village, they don't give up taking part in it. Finally there are the many tourists who want to discover a piece of local folklore. Here, then, is everything you need to know about the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora.

What is the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora

The Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora is an event held every year in honor of Patron saint, which is precisely St. Joseph. Although technically St. Joseph's Day is the 19 March, for years it has been customary for the celebration of the festival to take place in July, precisely to allow more people to take part. Furthermore, the patronal feast is also held in conjunction with the livestock fair, another moment that has always attracted numerous people from all over Italy.

During the celebration, religious moments alternate with those of folklore, given that over the years the event has been enriched with many activities, to encourage the participation of an audience of various tastes. There processionHowever, it remains the highlight of the event, both for its religious meaning and for the more folkloristic aspect which sees the faithful compete for the honor of being able to carry the statue of the saint on their shoulders.

The history linked to the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora

The community of Spadafora has always been linked to the figure of the Saint. In ancient times, in fact, he was attributed the ability to protect sailors during storms and to always guarantee abundant fishing.
Precisely for this reason, grace was asked to the patron saint in two particular moments of the year, namely March 19 which is the day dedicated to him by the Catholic Church, and July 3 which was the date chosen for the so-called external holidays, that is, the celebrations in the streets of the town.

When the Feast of San Giuseppe takes place in Spadafora

Since the Messina Chamber of Commerce decided to move the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora to the third week of July, this has become its official date, at least as regards the part of religious celebrations.

The event, therefore, has a duration that covers the whole weekend: on Saturday, the livestock fair is held and the gastronomic stands are organized to taste the flavors of the area, the Sunday afternoon instead it is the moment dedicated to the release of the statue of the saint, which is carried in procession throughout the town before returning to the church of San Giuseppe, where it is kept for the rest of the year, at the end of a solemn mass.
In the evening the event continues with its more profane aspect, made up of food, music and shows, to please a varied audience.

Where the feast of San Giuseppe takes place in Spadafora

The Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora involves the entire municipal area of ​​Spadafora. There cattle fair for example, it is organized on the outskirts of the village, given that it involves the presence of animals and requires large spaces. However, as regards the part dedicated to religious celebrations, the historic center is the fulcrum of the event.

On Sunday afternoon, in fact, the statue of the saint leaves from the church of San Giuseppe, which is located in the centre, and travels carried on the shoulder by the faithful all the streets of the village, to be honored by the villagers. At the end of the tour, she is then taken back inside the church and mass is celebrated here. In the open space in front of the church, which is then in front of the building known as the Samonà Castle, the faithful gather in prayer awaiting the arrival of the statue.

What to do during the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora

Obviously the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora does not only include the religious moment but also the folk festival. The center of the latter is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III and the adjacent street that has the same name, where the food and wine stands are set up with the best of the local cuisine but also those of crafts, clothing and much more.

Both on Saturday and Sunday, the organizers of the event have a rich calendar in store sports competitions, traditional games for individuals and teams, historical tournaments, cabaret shows and musical concerts, as well as the performance of the local band, which also accompanies the statue throughout the procession. There are also specific activities for the little ones.

How to get to Spadafora

Those who wish to participate in the Feast of San Giuseppe in Spadafora can quickly reach the location through various methods.
First of all in auto you must take the A20 and then take the Rometta exit from which you will proceed on the SS113 in the direction of Milazzo until you reach your destination.

Those who, on the other hand, prefer the train, you can leave from both Messina and Palermo to reach Spadafora station.
Finally, from the same places, it is also possible to reach your destination by bus since there is a direct connection provided by various companies including Giuntabus, AST and TAI.