Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia

La Feast of San Rocco it involves the Pietrini community in special liturgies and in a procession through the oldest streets of the historic centre. The faithful have been devoted to the saint since the seventeenth century for having escaped an epidemic of plague and a terrible famine.

The description of the Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia

On the morning of the day of Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia the church dedicated to Patron saint calls the faithful to gather to participate in particular liturgies. The pebbles flock to the ringing of the bells, thank San Rocco for the protection received during the year and rely on his benevolence and his help to face the difficulties. The liturgies continue throughout the day on a regular basis until dusk when, after the evening mass, the celebration culminates with a procession. In fact, the simulacrum of the saint is housed in a vara, a canopy suitable for transport and the procession begins with the participation of civil and religious authorities and the faithful. The procession goes through the historic center of the town accompanied by the band and then returns to the church where the pietrini pray again for the blessing of the patron saint. The event continues with a large square party that involves the whole community in songs and dances and ends with fireworks.

The history of the Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia

The history of the Feast of San Rocco dates back to the early seventeenth century when the people of Pietraperzia rely on the Saint to overcome a serious plague epidemic. Thanks to the grace received, the community consecrates the Church of the Immaculate Conception and of San Sebastiano to San Rocco which also becomes the patron saint of the city with Maria SS. of the Quarry.

In 1635 the Branciforti princes, lords of the town, settled in Pietraperzia and brought some relics of the saint as a sign of devotion and Don Fabrizio Roccella, prince of Palliano and husband of the princess of Pietraperzia Donna Agata Branciforti gave the community a statue of San Rocco.

The seventeenth-century work by an unknown artist is in papier-mâché, covered with gold leaves and burin decorations and represents San Rocco according to classical iconography. In fact, the saint is depicted with a wound on his leg due to the bubo of the plague and with a dog at his feet with a loaf of bread in its mouth. The faithful keep the statue in the church and grateful for the protection of the Saint, carry it in procession for centuries. Today, however, the simulacrum is very fragile and remains housed in a niche on the high altar even on the day of the feast when it is replaced by a copy.

When the Feast of San Rocco takes place in Pietraperzia

The Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia takes place on August 16th, the day on which the Saint is celebrated.

Where the Feast of San Rocco takes place

The Feast of San Rocco begins in the Church dedicated to the Saint in Pietraperzia, a small village in the province of Enna. The procession, having left the church, continues in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, branches off through all the streets of the historic center and then returns to the San Rocco Church.

What to do during the Feast of San Rocco in Pietraperzia

In Pietraperzia, in addition to the Church of San Rocco, a neoclassical building which houses the statue of the patron saint and that of San Sebastiano, it is also possible to visit the Church of the Rosary whose construction is prior to 1500. The Greek cross building is among the oldest in the town and also houses a statue of the Madonna del Rosario housed in a niche behind the main altar.

Among the civil structures are not to be missed the Palace of Princess Deliella designed by the arch. Ernesto Basile in neoclassical style and with elements in red sandstone and the Governor's Palace which retains a beautiful balcony in the late Renaissance style.

How to get to Pietraperzia to attend the event

By car:, from Palermo take the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway and exit at Caltanissetta. Then continue on the SS626 in the direction of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in Pietraperzia where the Church of San Rocco is located.