Festa del Santissimo Crocifisso a Monreale
Rino Porrovecchio - CC2.0
The feast of the SS. Crocifisso in Monreale last three days, from 1st to 3rd May. This feast dedicated to the patron saint of the city represents the most important religious event of Monreale.
In the days preceding the feast, the novena is held in which many faithful participate.
During the Numerous folk events are organized on 1 and 2 May: musical bands in the streets of the town, horse races, musical performances, parades of Sicilian carts, flag-waving shows and jousts.
Day 3 May is the culminating day of the festivities. The festivities begin with the traditional descent from the altar of the venerated image which is placed on the Vara. The SS. The crucifix is then placed outside the church and remains on display until the solemn afternoon procession. The wounds of the sacred side are constantly touched by the handkerchiefs of the faithful.
The solemn procession, announced by the festive ringing of the bells of all the churches, goes through all the streets of the city and ends in deep night. Civil and religious authorities and a good part of the clergy also take part in the procession. There are several moments that characterize the procession of the SS-Crucifix: the kiss of the children given to the simulacrum at all stops, the touching with handkerchiefs and flowers the effigy of the SS. crucifix; the arrival at Spasimo, when the SS. Crucifix, after the difficult scinnuta, or descent, is placed in the center of the square with his face stretched out towards the Conca d'Oro to extend his blessing to the area below lush with countryside. The show of fireworks concludes the procession.
During the whole month of May the devotees, who have obtained or ask for some grace, make the traditional journey, redoing it barefoot with a large lit candle wrapped in a paper bag, u coppu, the path taken by the Crucifix day 3.
Dates and Scheduling
3 May 2024
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
07:00 Holy Mass
07:30 Alborata sul Monte Caputo
08:00 Holy Mass
09:00 Homage to the Sanctuary of the SS. Crucifix of the “Fiati della Normanna” musical band
09:00 Holy Mass
09:30 Band concert through the streets of the city by the "Fiati della Normanna" musical band
Drums of Monreale by V. Gulotta celebrating in the streets of the city
10:00 Holy Mass
11:00 Solemn Pontifical celebrated by Mons. H.E. Gualtiero Isacchi with the participation of religious, civil and military authorities
Santuario SS. Crocifisso
13:00 Holy Mass
14:00 Traditional descent behind the Venerated Simulacrum of the SS. Crucifix for the Collegiate staircase
16:00 Holy Mass
16:30 Procession of the Confraternity of the SS. Crucifix from the Church of San Castrenze to the Collegiate Church with “Guglielmo II” musical band
16:30 Drums of Monreale by V. Gulotta and Drums of Aspra by G. La Licata celebrating in the streets of the city
18:00 Procession of the Venerated Simulacrum of the SS. Crucifix in the streets of the city
23:30 Floral tribute from the Archbishop and the Mayor to the SS. Crucifix
Musical tribute to the SS. Crucifix from the City Palace
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
24:00 Fireworks on Monte Caputo
Monte Caputo
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References
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