Feast of St. Joseph in Ramacca

The inhabitants of Ramacca are particularly devoted to San Giuseppe, the patron saint of the municipality. In March the locals set up i characteristic altars , or the tables set with typical delicacies, including omelettes, sweets, biscuits and bread. These delicacies are symbolically offered to the Saint, to pay homage to him as a sign of gratitude for the grace received.

In these hectic days, homes are completely open to visitors, who have the opportunity to get to know the custom of preparing altars up close, welcoming everyone until late in the evening, in a atmosphere of familiarity diffused and absolutely unique and inimitable village warmth.

Feast of San Giuseppe in Ramacca: history

It is really difficult to establish a certain date to identify the origins of the feast of the patron saint Giuseppe in Ramacca. Surely you have to go a long way back in time and there are testimonies that date back even to the periods of foundation of the small town. The inhabitants have always preferred to take refuge under the spiritual wing of the protector, showing gratitude and finding comfort.

The element that connects to the dimension of faith is undoubtedly the typicality, which emerges from culinary preparations that carry on the ancient dictates of the past. A striking example is the Ramacca bread , cooked in different shapes, with careful and precise work to bring an original gift to the table, different from the foods that are consumed every day, ideally representing a special moment.

Sacred bread is made with the ad aspect anello , which is called in dialect "to cuddura" , with the heart that symbolizes the love of the Holy Family, with the stick of St. Joseph and with the palm that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The laden table is divided into two equal banquets, one of which is reserved for relatives and acquaintances of the person devoted to the Saint and the other for the guests representing "the three pirsuni" , that is, the mother, the father and the little child of Nazareth.

These three figures are chosen in the country, thus going to help families who are experiencing a moment of profound economic hardship and who belong to the community. According to tradition "the three pirsuni" are invited to taste of the numerous courses, while all the participants pray and celebrate the religious rite. At the end of the rich meal "the three pirsuni" receive half of the food on the table for free. The remaining delights obviously go to the family that organized the ceremony.

When the festivities take place

During the year there are many moments dedicated to the celebration of the Patron Saint. It begins with the month of March, when the classic banquets that are called are set up tables . A fixed date is the 19 March but also the previous day preparations were underway and the population actively participated in the ceremony. It is precisely in the evening between 18 and 19 March that the houses put the altars on display, opening themselves up to onlookers and visitors.

The other appointment to mark on the calendar coincides with first Sunday of the month of March . In this case, however, it is a different festival, characterized by the cult in honor of St. Joseph. The procession takes place in the town which runs through the streets of the town and culminates with the fireworks show. Theme exhibitions and musical events are planned as part of the initiative.

Feast of San Giuseppe in Ramacca: where it takes place

The peculiarity of the feast of the Patron Saint Giuseppe di Ramacca is the involvement of the whole town. The homes of ordinary people become an integral part of the c celebrations and the contribution of the population cannot be ignored. On March 19 there is also the setting up of the great altar in the main square and during the afternoon there are devotional offerings from individual citizens.

Participants are offered the "pasta with maccu" , a lentil-based dish embellished with a tasty broad bean purée. As far as the September procession is concerned, however, the real protagonist is the town, with the public streets that come alive for the procession and for the fireworks display.

Feast of San Giuseppe in Ramacca: what to do

There is no shortage of things to do during the festivities. Tourists have the privilege of planning a "tours" inside the village to see the Church of San Giuseppe, the church dedicated to the Nativity of Mary or the Piazza Regina Elena. Immersing yourself in tradition by participating in the feast in honor of the patron saint is an unmissable experience.

The inhabitants are extremely hospitable and for this occasion they are particularly keen to make their custom known. In Ramacca there are bars, pastry shops, pizzerias and restaurants, perfect venues for deepening the discovery of the uses and customs of the place, which are also expressed at the table from the point of view of the best Sicilian cuisine.

How to reach Ramacca

Reaching Ramacca is quite simple by taking the Palermo-Catania motorway, exiting at Sferro-Gerbini or at Catenanuova.
Alternatively you can arrive by train at the Catania railway station or at the airport, then organizing yourself with public transport such as bus or taxi in the direction of Ramacca, traveling on the SS 417 for those coming from Catania.