Feast of Saint Francis of Paola

The establishment of this Feast, which dates back to 1946, is owed to a vow made by a soldier who experienced the Second World War—Francesco Forciniti, recipient of the commemorative medal and the War Cross. Forciniti had promised that, if he survived, he would organize a celebration to thank Saint Francis, to whom he turned during his darkest hours. And so it happened. The religious events dedicated to the patron saint of the hamlet culminate on the morning of April 28, when the statue of the Saint is carried in procession through the town’s streets.

A deep sense of emotion among Saint Francis's devotees is palpable when, before thousands of onlookers, the statue of the protector is placed on a boat, adorned with colorful decorations and flags. This commemorates the “miraculous crossing” in which Saint Francis of Paola used his cloak to cross the Strait of Messina. It is also symbolic because Saint Francis is the patron saint of fishermen, and taking him out to sea is a gesture of blessing and good fortune.

The crowd bursts into applause as the boat departs for a long tour along the coast. Later, as tradition holds, the Saint “lands” on a stretch of beach farther north, greeted by fireworks, before the procession resumes and concludes with the return of the statue to its Church of Saint Francis.

The grand finale of the Feast of Saint Francis is all about fun and music: exhilarating rides on the amusement attractions scattered along the seafront thrill the young (and not only the young), and music fills the air. At midnight, the sky and calm sea are lit up by the colorful lights and spiraling shapes of fireworks launched from the beach. A long round of applause brings the celebration to a close.