Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva

The Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva is the Feast of the Patron Saint: in the month of July, the whole city community of the faithful, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, gathers in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo to celebrate the memory from the "Mathr' u Carminu" as the Patroness is called in Sicilian dialect, in the most important religious event of the year.

The Patronal Feast is preceded by a nocturnal torchlight procession, in which all the faithful participate a few days before the official feast, going in procession towards the Sanctuary.

On the day of Santa Maria del Carmelo, however, the morning is marked by five liturgical celebrations, followed by Solemn Pontifical. In the afternoon, the great Procession of all the faithful departs from the Sanctuary towards via Sparagonà, where the 1921 icon of the Madonna is venerated; the procession, passing through the main streets of the town, descends towards Pozzo Lazzaro and shortly before the stroke of midnight returns to the Mother Church.

The faithful remain in the square for a while longer, until one in the morning, when the traditional fireworks officially conclude the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva.

The history of the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo

The history of the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo begins in 1888, when the Virgin of Carmelo officially becomes the patron saint of the city. The link with the community is sealed by the statue that reproduces the Madonna, still today kept in the sanctuary, but the veneration of the inhabitants of Santa Teresa di Riva towards the Madonna del Carmelo has even more ancient origins, which date back to the XNUMXth century, when the cult of the Virgin spread along the Ionian coast of Sicily.

In those days, in fact, the locality was known by the name of Marina of Savoca and in the territory of the hamlet there was a small chapel dedicated to the Most Holy Crucifix, the center of local religious life. At the end of the XNUMXth century, the first portrait of the Virgin of Carmel appears and at the same time the small chapel is enlarged, until it reaches such large dimensions in the XNUMXth century that it becomes the most important church in the town, dedicated to the patron saint.

Today the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo is the most important religious feast of Santa Teresa di Riva and the Church dedicated to the Patroness is still the Mother Church of the city.

When does the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo take place?

The official date of the Patronal Festival in Santa Teresa di Riva is July 16, but a few days before, on the 13th of the month, the important nocturnal procession takes place, with which the faithful prepare for the actual celebration.

Where the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo takes place

The Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva is a great religious event whose symbolic places are different and scattered throughout the city: naturally the most important is the Shrine of Santa Maria del Carmelo, where the Eucharistic celebrations take place and from which the Procession starts; other important places are via Sparagonà and Pozzo Lazzaro, in addition to the main streets of the centre, along which the procession route winds its way.

What to do during the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo

Participating in a Patronal Feast such as that of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva is certainly an experience that is difficult to forget: in the devotion of the nightly torchlight procession and in the participation in the solemn celebrations, one can see all the love that the faithful nurture in towards the patron saint, to whom they entrust the fate of the country.

However, the religious event is also an opportunity for fun, above all thanks to the beautiful fireworks that close the party, to which tourists are naturally also invited.

To participate, organize a stay in Santa Teresa di Riva and also discover all the beauties that this town has in store for you: from the marvelous Parish of Santa Maria del Carmelo to the Tower of the Saracens, the center is full of sacred or civil buildings to admire, including the nineteenth-century villas and buildings in Liberty style, which you can also visit inside.

Nature thrives in city parks like the one in Villa Crisafulli Ragno, which is also the seat of the Palazzo della Cultura, while the colors of the sea will enchant you, especially in the hot month of July, when a stop on the beach will be a refreshing break during your tour of the city.

Finally, also discover the flavor of the Sicilian table, which in Santa Teresa offers you desserts such as cream puffs with ricotta for a delicious breakfast, meat and fish dishes for unforgettable lunches or dinners and typical takeaway food such as panelle and crocchè or fried olives, to eat whenever you feel like it.

The Ionian coast of Sicily is full of towns and villages to visit: from Santa Teresa di Riva, you can easily reach Messina, about 38 km north, or Catania, traveling south for 68 km.

How to get to Santa Teresa di Riva

If you want to participate in the Feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Santa Teresa di Riva, you can reach the town by train, getting off at the Santa Teresa di Riva station which is located in the center; if you prefer to arrive by car, the Roccalumera exit from the A18 Messina-Catania motorway is located just 3 km from Santa Teresa.