Feast of San Benedetto il Moro in Acquedolci

Sicily is a region to be discovered, rich in artistic, historical, scenic and cultural beauties. There are numerous events that are worth experiencing, such as the Feast of San Benedetto il Moro which is held at acquedolciin province of Messina.

Description of the Feast of San Benedetto il Moro

The feast of San Benedetto in Acquedolci is a splendid local tradition that has been carried on for many years. St. Benedict the Moor is the Patron saint of the town, so there is great participation from the community but also from people who come from the neighboring areas to be able to experience a unique and engaging atmosphere.
There are several touching moments of this celebration which obviously includes a religious and a civil part. It should be emphasized that the celebrations take place both on April 4 and on the first Sunday of August each year. Confirming how great the devotion to this character in religious and Christian history is, the local church has also been dedicated to him.
It should be emphasized that the cult of San Benedetto il Moro began before his death even if, as often happens, the diffusion took place mainly after his departure and with the beatification carried out on May 15 of the year 1743 by Pope Benedict fourteenth. The canonization was instead proclaimed on May 24, 1807 by Pope Pius VII.
It should be emphasized that his relics are kept in the local church of Acquedolci, partly also in the church of the hamlet of Santa Maria di Gesù in Palermo.

The religious festival includes a triduum performed in the 3 days preceding the first Sunday of August. On Sundays three Holy Masses are usually celebrated, two of which in the morning and one in the late afternoon. At the end of the last mass you leave the church in procession with the simulacrum of San Benedetto il Moro and at midnight there are the traditional fireworks.

Where and when the Feast of San Benedetto il Moro takes place in Acquedolci

The feast of San Benedetto il Moro in Acquedolci is held in the last few years three days in July , first Sunday of August. In particular there are before the prayer meetings that sell organized near the Mother Church. On Saturday evening around 21:30 there is a vigil of prayer and reflection while on Sunday there are two saints scheduled in the morning at 8 to 10 and at 21:30 the last holy solemn mass with the commemoration of San Benedetto.

What to see during the Feast of San Benedetto in Acquedolci

Going to Acquedolci to participate in the feast of San Benedetto il Moro is also a splendid opportunity to appreciate a beautiful town of about 5500 inhabitants which offers a suggestive view of the sea coast. This area is rich in history and tradition as indeed its ancient history tells Larcan-Gravina Castle and today perfectly preserved but only in its external part. Among the religious architectures that can be visited is the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore built in the eighteenth century and inside which the beautiful wooden simulacrum made in the seventeenth century and obviously depicting St. James is kept.
Then there are the Church of Sant'Anna, Chapel of the Sacred Heart which is located at the religious institute of the Sisters of Reparation of the Sacred Heart. Finally, for those who love and appreciate nature, it is impossible not to dedicate a couple of hours to visiting this wonderful place Cave of San Teodoro which, moreover, is also appreciated for the history of which it is the custodian and which saw the cave as a refuge around the year one thousand for some Basilian monks who were fleeing from the East.

How to get to Acquedolci

By car:, to get to Acquedolci starting from Enna it takes 122 km via the SS117, in about 2 and a half hours.
From Messina, on the other hand, the overall route is 107 km, which can be traveled in about 80 minutes via the A20 and E90 motorways.
From Palermo there are 132 km to cover first on the E90 and then on the A20/E90.