Patronal Feast of San Rocco in Scordia

In the month of August, a Scordia, there is a joyful festive air that involves locals and tourists with sounds, colors and great emotions. Two in particular are the most heartfelt days for the people of Scordiense: the 15th and the 16th August, days dedicated to Patronal Feast of San Rocco, Patron Saint of the municipality.

Il August 15th is in Viggìlia and, after having attended the evening mass in the churchyard of the Mother Church, the faithful follow in procession the relic of San Rocco: from the church the simulacrum is transported with the canopy up to Piazza Umberto I, which in dialect is called u chianu u Santu Rocco. Arriving at the foot of the statue, the faithful pay homage to the patron saint of Scordia by kissing the relic of the saint.
Il 16 August it is the real day of the feast, which is celebrated with a special mass sung in San Rocco square. Here the panegyric of the saint is recited, followed by the procession in honor of the patron saint along the main streets of the town.
The festival reaches its climax at midnight, when the faithful greet the Patron with colorful fireworks, before the simulacrum returns to the church.

The story related to Patronal Feast of San Rocco has very ancient roots connected to the origins of the Holy Pilgrim, so all the visitors and tourists who are in Scordìa during the days of the celebrations are welcomed with a special warmth, in homage to the pilgrimages of San Rocco.

THE HISTORY LINKED TO THE PATRON FESTIVAL OF SAN ROCCO

The story related to Patronal Feast of San Rocco, beloved protector of the country, is very ancient.

San Rocco is officially declared Patron of Scordia on April 2, 1888, but for over 200 years the Saint had a special place in the Sicilian community: the Mother Church in Baroque, commissioned by Prince Antonio Branciforte in the seventeenth century, is the first evidence of the friendly encounter between the French saint and the Sicilian community.
It was the prince's family, of French origins, who brought the cult of San Rocco di Montpellier, protector from the plague, to Sicily.
The prince also gave the town a statue of the saint covered in silver and since then San Rocco has been celebrated in Scordìa.
The feast is deeply felt by the community and is celebrated with enthusiasm like Christmas.

WHERE THE PATRON FESTIVAL OF SAN ROCCO TAKES PLACE

La feast for the patron saint it takes place throughout the country, where the faithful follow the statue of the saint in procession.
The most important places for the festivities are San Rocco square e Piazza Umberto I; during the festivities, fireworks are launched from all the squares of the town in honor of the Patron Saint, while the processions wind along different routes that touch the main streets of Scordìa.

WHAT TO DO DURING THE PATRON FESTIVAL OF SAN ROCCO

The festivities involve the whole town and welcome anyone who wants to participate and pay homage to the Holy Pilgrim.
During Viggìlia you can attend mass outdoors and participate in the procession, paying homage to the relic along the main streets of the town.

Il August 16th, real day of the party, the town is enlivened by the music of the band "City of Scordia" and everyone can participate in the traditional parade in honor of the Saint and in the Eucharistic celebration which culminates with the blessing of the bread, a symbol of the support of providence which came to him in the form of the help of a dog which, during the last difficult days of his life spent in sickness, he helped him by bringing him bread every day.

You will then be able to participate in the procession until you reach the culminating moment of the festival when, by now late at night, the return of the Saint to the Mother Church is greeted with a joyful explosion of fireworks to watch all together.

HOW TO GET TO SCORDIA TO ATTEND THE PATRON FESTIVAL OF SAN ROCCO

There are several ways to get to Scordìa and attend the patronal feast of San Rocco.

By car. From the Catania-Siracusa highway, take the Lentini-Carlentini exit; from the A19 Palermo-Catania take the Motta S.Anastasia exit instead.

By train. From the main Italian cities, Scordìa can be reached from the Catania Centrale and Catania Europa stops, both about 30 km away from the town.

By bus. From the train station it is possible to take advantage of the bus and shuttle service to reach Scordìa easily.

Once in the village, you can visit the whole centre, remembering which roads to take to follow the fundamental stages of the patronal feast: Corso Vittorio Emanuele for the parade of the musical band, Piazza Umberto I, the Mother Church in Piazza San Rocco. The processions wind along the main streets of the town.