Saints of Sicily

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Saints play a major role in the faith of the predominantly Roman Catholic population of Sicily . The 390 parishes of Sicily are under the patronage of around 700 saints. The saints' feasts of the respective patron saint are often celebrated over several days. Among the most famous saints in Sicily are Agatha , Lucia and Rosalia , the patron saints of the cities of Catania , Syracuse and Palermo .

Agatha of Catania

Agatha of Catania

Agatha was born in Catania around 225 and was martyred there in 250. According to legend, thanks to their help, Catania was spared the lava flows of Mount Etna . Her relics are in the Cathedral of Catania . St. Agatha is the patron saint of the city of Catania and is invoked against outbreaks of Mount Etna and earthquakes. She is represented with a torch or a plate on which her severed breasts lie. The celebrations in her honor last from February 3rd to 5th, her memorial day.

Lucia of Syracuse

Lucia of Syracuse

Lucia was born in Syracuse around 286 and died a martyr there around 304. The exact whereabouts of their relics are unclear. Lucia is the patron saint of the city of Syracuse. She is depicted with a sword, lamp or torch, sometimes with a bowl in which her eyes lie. Her feast day is December 13th.

Rosalia from Palermo

Rosalia

Rosalia was born around 1100 in Palermo and died there around 1160 as a hermit on Monte Pellegrino . According to tradition, a plague epidemic ended in Palermo when the relics of St. Carrying Rosalia from her hermitage in procession into town. Her relics are in the Cathedral of Palermo .

Rosalia is the patron saint of the city of Palermo and is invoked against the plague. She is shown with loose hair and a wreath of white roses, with a cross and a skull. Remembrance days are July 15th and September 4th. In July, a festival lasting several days is held in her honor, and in September a torchlight procession at night on Monte Pellegrino.

More saints of Sicily

Vitus
Angelus of the Carmelite
Bernardo da Corleone
  • According to tradition, Pancratius of Taormina was the first bishop of Taormina appointed by the apostle Paul . He is said to have died a martyr around 40 AD. The day of the saint's remembrance used to be April 3rd, but is now celebrated on July 8th and July 9th, the day of his martyrdom.
  • Vitus was born in Mazara del Vallo around 297 and died a martyr in Lucania around 304 . According to tradition, he was persecuted as a Christian as a child and, despite his miracles, thrown into a kettle of boiling oil in Rome . An angel saved him and brought him to Lucania, where he died shortly afterwards. Vitus is one of the fourteen helpers in need and the patron saint of Sicily. He is usually depicted in an oil kettle, with a palm branch and book, an eagle or a rooster. His feast day is June 15th.
  • Ninfa worked in the 3rd century and is one of the patron saints of Palermo. Her feast day is November 10th.
  • Olivia worked in the 5th century and is one of the patron saints of Palermo. Her feast day is June 10th. She is usually depicted as a young woman with an olive branch.
  • Agatho was born in Sicily and died in Rome in 681 . He was a Benedictine in Palermo, then treasurer of the church and from 678 to 681 Pope . His feast day is January 10th.
  • Leo , the successor to Agathos, was born in Sicily and died in 683. He was Pope from 682 to 683. Remembrance day is the anniversary of his death, July 3rd.
  • Sergius was born in Palermo as the son of a Syrian emigrant family. He came to Rome under Pope Adeodatus II , was elected Pope in 687, and died on September 7, 701. The feast day is September 8th.
  • Simeon von Trier was born in Syracuse in 980/990 and died in Trier in 1035 . He was a Byzantine monk, pilgrim guide and later a hermit . His feast day is June 1st.
  • Angelus the Carmelite was born in Jerusalem in 1185 and died in Licata around 1220 . He was one of the first Carmelites and came to Sicily as a preacher. When he reproached a large landowner for his way of life, he was killed by the latter. His feast day is May 5th.
  • Albertus Siculus was born in Trapani around 1212 and died in Messina around 1307 . He was a religious provincial of the Carmelites and caused the Sicilians to turn more to their faith. He is one of the patron saints of Trapani and Messina. Remembrance day is August 7th.
  • Corrado Confalonieri lived as a hermit near Noto in the 14th century and is the city's patron saint. His feast day is February 19th.
  • Benedict the Mohr was born in San Fratello in 1526 and died in Palermo in 1589. He was the son of two black slaves who were baptized . Benedict was therefore released. He lived as a hermit on Monte Pellegrino and then joined the Franciscan order in Palermo, where he was appointed superior. He was the first black man to be canonized and is one of the patron saints of Palermo. His feast day is April 4th.
  • Bernardo da Corleone was born in Corleone in 1605 and died in Palermo in 1667. He joined the Capuchin Order , initially wandering from monastery to monastery and spent the last fifteen years of his life in the monastery of Palermo. There he cared for the sick and is said to have brought about miraculous healings during his lifetime. His feast day is January 12th.

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