The feast of martyr Saint Angelo, Licata patron saint , is celebrated twice a year: on May 5th, the day of his martyrdom and on the Sunday following Ferragosto (August 15th, our summer feast) in memory of liberation from the plague of 1625.
The feast of May is the main one, it involves the whole city and also the neighboring cities.
During these days “Fiera di maggio” (the may fair) takes place, with the presence of several stands occupying the main courses of the city.
On May 4th, feast’s eve, the urn is taken from the chapel according to an ancient ritual to be placed on the main altar of the sanctuary, where solemn Vespers are celebrated.
On the morning of May 5th, “muli parati” (adorned mules) parade through the streets of the city, a tradition that recalls the Spanish domination that sees animals adorned with showy stretches and covered by rich drapes.
At 8.00pm from the Sanctuary begins the procession of the urn, placed under an artistic canopy in which is depicted the coat of arms.
Sant’Angelo during procession, as tradition dictates, is accompanied by four votive candles (wooden structures that have various symbols) that in the morning are taken to Elena square waiting for passage of the urn.
The most suggestive moments of procession are the urn races, to remember the period of the invasions when the body of the saint was rushed to safe places to be better guarded. The aforementioned races are performed by devotees who wear the typical uniform of the sailor, barefoot. The procession runs through all over the city and late at night, Sant’Angelo returns to its church.
The last race takes place with the four candles in a moment full of pathos, in which bearers run up inside the patronal church to conclude the procession.
May 6th is Thanksgiving day. In the early afternoon at the port are held the games of the tree of cuccagna “palio antinna” and “palio a mare” (a stake in the sea). These fun games consist in the ability of people to stand on poles placed on the ground and at sea, made slippery by the soap, to take objects placed on the top.
In the evening, inside Sant’Angelo Sanctuary, is sung the Te Deum and the urn is placed inside the little chapel, that will be reopened in August, for the summer feast reproduction.
Party ends with the musical show in Progresso Square and with the midnight fireworks taking place on seafront.
