Patronal feast of San Giuseppe in Nizza di Sicilia

When evening arrives in Nizza di Sicilia, on the day of the Patron Saint, the bells ring in celebration and the statue of the Saint leaves the Church of San Giuseppe, carried by the faithful of the town in procession through the streets of the centre. It is the month of March, and in the small town of the Metropolitan City of Messina, the whole religious community participates in the Patronal Festival in Nizza di Sicilia.

The fireworks are set off, while the Procession continues accompanied by the music of the Band. Touching the main monuments of the country, the faithful follow the priest with devotion and prayers, who guides them street by street. When, a few hours later, the festive procession returns to the Church of San Giuseppe, new fireworks light up the night and again, like every year, amidst the sound of the bells, the Statue of the Patron Saint returns to the church.

On St. Joseph's Day, the Patronal Feast in Nizza di Sicilia, all the devotion of the faithful of the community is concentrated during the Liturgical Masses, while in the preceding days the Preparation Novenary takes place.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of Nizza di Sicilia together with Our Lady of the Assumption, whose memory is celebrated on August 15th.

The history of the patronal feast of San Giuseppe in Nizza di Sicilia

The Patronal Feast in Nizza di Sicilia is celebrated with the Liturgical Mass in the Church of San Giuseppe, where the simulacrum of the saint, restored in 2020 on the occasion of the Year of St. Joseph, established by Pope Francis.

Until 1984 the main churches of Nizza di Sicilia were two, the Mother Church of the Assumption and the Church of San Giuseppe, which had been the private chapel of Castle of Alcontres. In the eighties of the twentieth century, however, the Archbishop of Messina decided to unify the two parishes and at the same time to make San Giuseppe and Our Lady of the Assumption Patrons united aeque principaliter in Nizza di Sicilia. In this way, both saints acquired the same importance in the community of the faithful, which continues to celebrate its Patrons every year.

When the patronal feast of San Giuseppe takes place in Nizza di Sicilia

The Patronal Festival in Nizza di Sicilia takes place on the day of San Giuseppe, March 19th. In the previous days, the faithful prepare for the feast during the Novenary of Preparation.

Where the patronal feast of San Giuseppe takes place in Nizza di Sicilia

Nizza di Sicilia is located on the Ionian coast of the island and is a town of about 3.500 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Messina. The celebrations for the Patron Saint begin in the Church of San Giuseppe in Via Mazzini, in the Fiumarelli district. From here the procession starts which, after passing through the main streets of the center and flanking monuments such as the Castle of Alcantres, returns to the church.

What to do during the patronal feast of San Giuseppe in Nizza di Sicilia

Who is in Nizza di Sicilia on the occasion of the Patronal Feast, will be able to discover with what love and devotion the faithful of the community turn to the Patron Saint on the day of the celebrations; participating with them in the Mass and in the Procession, is a reason for recollection, but also for joy and fun. The party, in fact, is lit by the faithful who sing, pray and launch fireworks.

In this period, you can also taste the sweet of San Giuseppe par excellence, the delicious zeppole. In these parts, in fact, the cult of St. Joseph is traditionally linked to bread and abundance.

If you have a few days of vacation, after taking part in the Patronal Festival in Nizza di Sicilia, you can dedicate yourself to discovering this town by visiting the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Castle of Alcontres , Church of St. John the Baptist, where you can also admire ancient statues and canvases.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a modern church, built in 1983 to meet the needs of the expanding religious community, but its origins are much older, in fact the first church of the Assunta dates back to the end of the XNUMXth century; the Castello d'Alcontres, also visible during the Procession, dates back to the XNUMXth century, while the Church of San Giovanni Battista was built in the XNUMXth century.

Those who also want to discover other more hidden architectural beauties in Sicily can venture into the hills towards the hinterland: here, in Savoca, there is the beautiful Church of San Nicolò and Santa Lucia, where you can admire the silver statue dedicated to the Saint and take a guided tour of the sacred building. Very close is also the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, in Ali.
If there are also children on the trip, a stop at Kontiland it will be the perfect opportunity to make them fall in love with art, showing them all the beauties of Sicily in miniature: the amusement park is just 15,5 km from Nizza di Sicilia.

How to get to the patronal feast of San Giuseppe in Nizza di Sicilia

Nizza di Sicilia, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, is located on the Ionian coast of the island and can be easily reached by train: the Santa Teresa di Riva station is just 6 km from the town, while that of Taormina is not far away, about 20km. The railway stations are connected to the town by public buses and private shuttles.
Those who want to reach the party by car can take the A18 Messina-Catania motorway and take the Roccalumera exit, just 3,4 km from the centre.