Patronal feast of Santa Flavia – Madonna del Lume in Porticello

The great mystery of the sea and its depth are reflected in Porticello in the celebrations in honor of Patron Saint, celebrated with all the incredible devotion of which the faithful are capable: the Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Porticello it is a unique event, which must be experienced firsthand, to grasp all the secrets of the deep bond between the population and the Patron Saint.

In October, seaside village of Porticello, At Santa Flavia in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, celebrates the Madonna of the Light, Patroness of the country e protector of the sea.
Nine days before the Feast, preparations begin in the village: the most devoted men and women of the village gather in the square to recite the Holy Rosary together. On Festa Sunday, the main square of the village is filled with stalls, where it is possible to buy everything, while the locals go to the square to roast chestnuts, also preparing other sweets, whose scent inebriates the visitors on the street.

The evening continues with a great live concert and concludes with fireworks late at night, but the party does not end here: the religious festival is celebrated on the following Monday with the alborata announcing the event, the ascent of the vara , descent of the Madonna in the afternoon, when all the faithful, from hand to hand, pass the sacred image of the Patron Saint, until they lead it to the fercolo, starting the Procession.

The children, in typical clothes, make their offerings to the Madonna and the Procession continues amidst music, shouts and flowers. The joyful faithful throw chickpeas as a sign of prosperity and then there is the moment of the historical re-enactment at the pier; among the fireworks, the vara returns to the church, but the celebrations continue for eight days throughout the municipality.

The history of the patronal feast of Santa Flavia

One of the key moments of the Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Porticello is that of the historical re-enactment, in which the legend which tells of the discovery of the painting of the Madonna in the sea. According to legend, at the Santa Nicolicchia pier, some fishermen would have found the famous portrait of the Virgin, entangled in their fishing nets. From that moment, the Madonna del Lume was proclaimed Patroness of Porticello and protector of the sea.

When the Festival takes place in Santa Flavia

The Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Porticello is celebrated every first Sunday in October.

Where the Feast of the Madonna del Lume takes place in Ponticello

The patronal feast of Santa Flavia, dedicated to the Madonna del Lume, takes place in Porticello in some symbolic places: from Piano Stenditore, where it all begins, to the Santa Nicolicchia pier, passing through the main streets of the village and the hamlet of Sant 'Elijah.

What to do during the Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Porticello

Participating in the Festa della Madonna del Lume in Porticello is the only way that allows tourists to discover how much devotion, faith and hope the inhabitants of Porticello feel towards their Patron Saint: in other words, it is a matter of taking part in a extraordinary, among the largest and most heartfelt of the entire island.

In addition to the magical atmosphere of the Festival, you can also discover the beautiful in this way center of Santa Flavia, of which Porticello belongs: from Church of Maria SS. of the Lumen to the Church of Maria SS. Sorrows, from Villa Filangeri al Villa Basile, there are several tourist attraction centers in the country. There are also clubs and bars, where you can taste the typical dishes of Sicilian cuisine, such as sweets with almond paste.

In the surroundings of Porticello, along the northern coast of Sicily, you will find beautiful beaches such as Cala di Sant'Elia o Harsh, but also Bagheria and all the beauties of Chief Saffron; about 18 km away, you will reach the nearby Palermo instead.

How to get to Santa Flavia for the Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Ponticello

Porticello, in the municipality of Santa Flavia (Palermo) can be easily reached in the car, via the A19 Palermo-Catania, taking the exit for Bagheria about 3 km from the centre, while on the train Bagheria Station is connected to Santa Flavia by bus or shuttle.