A Santuzza from Palermo to Woodbridge (English)

Everything started in Palermo, on Mount Pellegrino, known all over Europe thanks to J.W Goethe who, in his Italian Journey, described it as: «a massive rock, wider than tall […] its beautiful shape exceeds any possible description […] ».

In the hearts of the people in Palermo, Mount Pellegrino is more simply the dwelling of the Patron Saint of the city.

I was about eight years old when, at the sunrise of a warm September morning, my mother woke me up to experience that any person in Palermo would try at least once in his/her life: l’acchianata (the ascent) to Saint Rosalia’s place. The ascent to the sanctuary on foot, on bare feet, on one’s knees, or walking with children on shoulders.

 At the foot of the mountain that overlooks Palermo, where an ancient path paved with square stones begins, groups of people were standing to start the pilgrimage to give thanks or look for the grace of their beloved and powerful Santuzza, Rosalia. Dawn was, and certainly still is, the best time of the day to start the pilgrimage, considering that in the beginning of September the temperature in Sicily can be still sweltering. That rise, at the age of eight, indelibly marked my life as a Palermo native.  

It is not a matter of faith any longer. It is just the desire to give voice to your soul. As demonstration of this, the sanctuary and Saint Rosalia are now considered by the Tamil communities in Palermo, both the catholic and Hindu ones, a place where they can take care of their spirituality.

The rise is challenging and the best way to tackle it is to be focused on your spirit’s thoughts. L’acchianata in my life has become a symbol for sharing. It is not the destination important, but the journey. Waiting for me at the peak, the warmth of a friendly and smiling face that in my mind always recalled a mother's smile, who with her eyes and a barely perceivable smile, tells her child: “Well done!”

 

But what does Santa Rosalia have to do with Toronto? This would be a question to ask Mr Ferrante, native of Palermo like myself, migrated to Canada like myself, who, for grace received, decided to pay homage to his beloved Santuzza organizing, at his own expenses, the Festino of Santa Rosalia, in Woodbridge!

 The discovery for my part of the perfect reproduction of the Saint’s statue in Toronto was purely incidental during one of my visits to the city. Back then my idea for a possible migration to Canada was still far off. Of course, I was astonished and amazed by Mr. Ferrante and by how the love for our roots together with deep devotion and gratitude feelings could drive us to such a big display of affection.

A Palermo native prays to the Santuzza all year long, although he celebrates her officially only twice a year. The first one with the acchianata in September; the second one, in July. It is said that the great Fest in July were organized back in 1624 after many people survived to a terrible plague which afflicted the city.

Should you be in Palermo on the 14th and 15th of July, I would recommend you the so called Festino di Santa Rosalia. To have an idea of how deep and entrenched is this devotion in the natives, it is sufficient to think that last year the 389^th edition of the event took place. For about four-hundred years so, the old city center of Palermo, once a year, has been turned into a huge open air theatre.

U’ Fistinu (Il Festino, Big Fest), in the Palermo natives’ expectation as well as the one of any tourists who crowd the streets of the old city, has to rock, move, results in an explosion of joy, lights, music, colors and, of course, food and beverages. A real Palermo native would say: “Santu veni, festa fai!” (Saint who comes, it’s essential to celebrate). From a culinary point of view, this turns into a triumph of street food (and not only), where different things will be served, such as: càlia e simenza (roasted chick peas and salted pumpkin seeds), ‘I babbaluci (snails sautéed with garlic and parsil), u’ mulune (water melon), pani chi paneddi e cazzilli (bun with a square mad out fried chick peas flour and water, and deep fried potato croquettes), sfinciuni (lo sfincione, a sort of soft pizza garnished with loads of onion), and many other things.

Won’t it be possible to organize a trip to Sicily next July? Never mind, worst comes to worst there is always Woodbridge!




Suggested link: http://festinodisantarosalia.it/389/