Patronal Feast of San Leonardo Abate in Mascali

The anniversary of the Patron Saint of Mascali falls in the month of November: Saint Leonard of Noblac, who lived approximately between the 6th and XNUMXth centuries, is remembered in the Sicilian town on November XNUMX, with celebrations involving the entire community of local believers.

A beloved saint since the Middle Ages, San Leonardo was a French abbot and his cult is still alive in the memory of many European Christians.

The one celebrated in Mascali is a solemn feast, in which the citizens participate in the Mass, assist at the opening of the Chapel of the Patron Saint, welcome the relic of the Saint with recollection and devotion.

The history of these places has seen the communities of the past turn to the Patron Saint with prayers for help in two natural disasters, which risked completely destroying the town and in both cases, the faithful remember how thanks to the intercession of the Saint, the community was able to continue his life in Mascali: for this reason, even today they celebrate the Saint with great devotion and thank him for his protection.

In particular, the procession, which sees the relic of San Leonardo reach the faithful, who welcome and accompany it, is dear to the inhabitants of the town. To preserve the memory of their Patron, the inhabitants of Mascali can count on Treasure of San Leonardo and on the bronze tiles that tell of his life, at the Mother Church.

From the end of October the religious community participates in the Novenario that the Mother Church organizes with religious functions and the pilgrimage of the relic, and then sings and shouts its devotion at the opening of the Chapel of San Leonardo.

The simulacrum, which has received the gifts of the faithful, is placed on theHigh Altar, where everyone can go to pay homage to the Saint over the following eight days. November 1st is the day of the San Leonardo Fair and also the date on which the great celebrations for the Patron begin.

The history of the patronal feast of San Leonardo abate in Mascali

Lived in the XNUMXth century AD, San Leonardo enjoyed the love of many faithful in Europe and especially in Sicily, where he became the Patron Saint in Mascali.
There is no certain information regarding the year in which the French abbot was proclaimed Patron Saint of the town, but it is certain that already in the 1693th century, when the earthquake of XNUMX devastated all the villages in the area, San Leonardo had been appointed protector of Mascali.

In fact, there are testimonies that remember him, precisely on the occasion of the earthquake: during a procession, in fact, the earthquake surprised the community of faithful, who saved themselves by invoking the protection of San Leonardo.
Almost two centuries later, in 1865, the Saint again managed to protect his community, saving it from the incandescent lava that threatened to raze the entire town to the ground.
Through these dramatic episodes, the bond between Saint Leonard and his community of believers has become ever closer, who still today continue to place their hopes in the Saint and thank him for the help granted.

When the patronal feast of San Leonardo abate takes place in Mascali

The exact date of the Patronal Feast of San Leonardo Abate in Mascali is November 6th. However, already 9 days before, the preparation of the Church and the Community for the celebrations for the Patron Saint begins. Another very important date for the devotees of San Leonardo in Mascali is November XNUMXst, the day on which the San Leonardo Fair is opened to the public.

What to do during the patronal feast of San Leonardo Abate in Mascali

The Feast of the Patron Saint San Leonardo in Mascali is first and foremost a spiritual occasion to be shared with the community: anyone passing through the town on the holidays can take part in the procession, gather in prayer with the local faithful, take takes part in the celebratory functions in honor of the Saint.

If you have a few days available, you can plan a short winter holiday in Sicily, taking part in the Fair, the Patronal Festival and admiring the beauty of the place.

Starting from the historic center, you can walk through the streets of the Thirties neighborhoods that characterize the village, born in the last century. Religious sites, such as the Church of Maria Santissima della Pietà, are among the places of greatest tourist interest even in a country that lives mainly on summer tourism, when many visitors come to these parts, especially for a stop at the lido.

In winter, however, there is no shortage of attractions, starting from the Fair, the Patronal Festival and the other beauties of the surrounding area. From here, in fact, with just a few kilometers by car you can reach interesting destinations such as Slave Castle, just 7 km to the north. This ancient castle can be visited on request and is a pearl of the Sicilian rural baroque style typical of the 1700s.

Less than 3 km from Mascali, there is instead Ripon, where tourists and faithful who wish, can admire the beautiful St. Peter's Basilica; moving away from the coast, about 16 km inland in Sicily you can instead find the Agriturismo DolcEtna, not to be missed for a tasty stop.

How to get to the patronal feast of San Leonardo Abate in Mascali

Mascali is located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, from which it is about 30 km away. The best way to reach the town is to travel by train: the Giarre-Riposto station is located just 2 km from the center of Mascali.

Those who prefer to travel by car can reach the town on the A18 Messina-Catania motorway, taking the Giarre exit.