The Feast of San Vito in Regalbuto

In Regalbuto, in the Libero Municipal Consortium of Enna in Sicily, the Patron Saint is celebrated in August: the feast of San Vito Martire is a great religious and popular celebration, which involves inhabitants and tourists of Regalbuto for an entire week.

La procession through the streets of the town it is only the culmination of the celebration, but already from the three days that precede it, the faithful of Regalbuto begin their pilgrimage, which they often make on foot, to buy laurel branches, a symbol of glory. The faithful in this period are also used to pronounce the vows of devotion to the Patron Saint, with which they show their attachment.

In the most ancient tradition, the pilgrimage was made on horseback, with the faithful singing in honor of San Vito.

The real party begins with the Cattle Fair and the Laurel Procession, in which the antinyms, poles covered with laurel, are carried through the streets of the town, followed by all the faithful with their laurel branches. The following day, the relics of San Vito dalla are carried in procession Mother Church up to the Piazza di San Vito. Here the blessing takes place, before the faithful, always in procession, return to the Mother Church.
Another procession, on the third day of the festival, is the one in which the faithful carry the simulacrum of the Patron Saint through the streets of the town, but since 1944 the statue has been transported by truck and followed by the faithful on foot.

The last day of the feast ends with the celebration of mass in honor of San Vito, with the final procession, which sees the simulacrum of the patron saint transported from the Mother Church to Piazza della Repubblica.

The history of the feast of San Vito in Regalbuto

The relics of San Vito arrived in Regalbuto from Piazza Armerina in 1547. Since then, the town has celebrated its patron saint every year.
Vitus was born in 285 AD at the present Mazzara del Vallo and, orphaned of a mother, he was brought up by a nurse in the Christian faith, whom he fully embraced when he asked to be baptized. Tradition relates many of his wonders, such as when with the complicity of his pagan father, he was arrested for his faith, but was then freed by an angel.

Some of his miracles took place in Regalbuto, where he had arrived after a long pilgrimage; here he met some shepherds, shocked by the death of a child eaten by dogs. Then, Vito had the boy's torn body brought to him and miraculously brought him back to life. These prodigies reached the ears of theemperor Diocletian, who decided to call Vito to free his daughter from demonic possession. Despite the help that Vito had given to the emperor, he still had him executed after terrible martyrdoms.

On the feast of Regalbuto in honor of the Patron Saint, religion merges with history and so here, to honor the memory of this glorious Christian, the faithful carry in procession a branch of the time, symbol of the glory and resurrection of Christ.

When the feast of San Vito takes place in Regalbuto

The Patronal Festival in Regalbuto takes place in the month of August and lasts 4 days, from 8 to 11.
Even in the previous days, the population is abuzz with celebrations, which thus start well before the official date.

Where the feast of San Vito takes place in Regalbuto

Regalbuto is located in Sicily, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna. The festival takes place in various places, from the streets of the town to the Mother Church, in Piazza della Repubblica, where the festivities begin and end. The processions that characterize the festival also pass through Piazza San Vito, in honor of the Patron Saint.

What to do during the feast of San Vito in Regalbuto

Participating in the Patronal Festival in Regalbuto is an opportunity to joyfully experience one's spirituality, also discovering the popular religious spirit that manifests itself on the occasion of the patronal festivals.

Those who wish can attend mass in honor of San Vito and then spend a few days of vacation in the village, to discover its architectural, religious and civil beauties, culture and gastronomy.

Regalbuto is a small hill town, populated by about 6.700 inhabitants. The panorama of the surroundings is magnificent, with the peaks of the mountains that surround it and the lake that flanks it. Even the urban landscape is of remarkable beauty, for walks in the center or in nature, they will be moments of pleasant discovery.
Among the churches to visit, we certainly point out the Mother Church of San Basilio, XNUMXth century basilica with beautiful colored marbles, statues and other works of art kept like in a casket. Among the civil buildings, we remember instead the Town Hall. A few kilometers away, Lake Pozzillo is a natural attraction worth visiting.

About 50 km away is Enna, the beautiful city famous for the Duomo. If you have a few extra days of vacation available, why not pay a visit to the Tower of Frederick II and the other beauties of Enna? In this area, there are many churches that can be visited, from the Basilica of San Leone at the Monastery of the Most Holy Crucifix of Papardura.

How to get to the feast of San Vito in Regalbuto

Regalbuto, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna, is easily reachable from the A19 Palermo – Catania motorway: those traveling by car can therefore take the A19 in the direction of Catania, as far as the Catenanuova exit and then continue on the Provincial road for about 12 kilometres.
Travelers who prefer to travel by train can get off at Catania Central Station and continue the journey of about 43 km to Regalbuto by bus or private shuttle.