03/02/2025
this is the schedule of events during the festivities: Monday, February 3
7:30 AM; 10:00 AM: Holy Masses in the chapel of Saint Agatha.
12:00 PM: Procession for the offering of wax from the Church of Saint Agatha at the Furnace to the Cathedral Basilica. H.E. Mons. Archbishop, the Chapters of the Cathedral and Collegiate Basilicas, the Clergy, students of the interdiocesan seminary "Regina Apostolorum", the permanent diaconate school "Saint Euplius", the Prefect, the Mayor of Catania, the President of the City Council with the Councilors, the Magnificent Rector, the Pontifical Equestrian Orders, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, the Military Authorities, as well as the Banners of the City, the Metropolitan City, and the University followed by the historical carriages of the Senate and the Cerei. Reflections given by some lay people engaged in ecclesial movements. In the Cathedral, a solemn "TE DEUM" and Eucharistic blessing.
Tuesday, February 4 – Jubilee of the devotees of Saint Agatha
Before dawn, entrance of the faithful and devotees in the Cathedral; priests will be available for confessions.
4:30 AM: Recitation of the Rosary in the Cathedral Basilica.
5:15 AM: Exhibition of the Relics of the Holy Patroness.
6:00 AM: "Dawn Mass," celebrated by H.E. Mons. Archbishop. At the end, the Archbishop will bless the Rosary Crowns for the prayer led by the "Friends of the Rosary."
Holy Masses in the Cathedral at 8:00 AM; 9:30 AM; 11:00 AM.
7:00 AM: In Piazza Duomo, reflections by Mons. Barbaro Scionti, parish priest of the Cathedral Basilica, who together with the devotees will begin the procession of the Relics of Saint Agatha from Porta Uzeda. In front of the Icon of the Madonna of the Letter, H.E. Mons. Archbishop will offer a candle to the Holy Patroness. In front of the chapel of the Most Holy Savior in Via Dusmet, homage by the Port Authority and the Harbor Master's Office. The procession will continue through Via Calì, Piazza Cutelli, Via Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza dei Martiri, where the disabled will pay homage, Via VI Aprile, Libertà, Piazza Iolanda. In this square, reflections by Rev. Mons. Vincenzo Branchina, Vicar General. The procession continues through Via Umberto, Grotte Bianche, Piazza Carlo Alberto; in front of the Sanctuary of the Annunciation at the Carmine, homage by the Carmelite Fathers, reflections by the Parish Priest, Fr. Antonino Mascali O.C.; then it proceeds towards Piazza Stesicoro where H.E. Mons. Archbishop will address the faithful with the traditional message to the City. The Christian community of Catania, in the places traditionally recognized as the martyrdom sites of Saint Agatha, solemnly renews the baptismal promises. Along the climb of the Capuchins and Piazza S. Domenico, the Sacred Relics will reach the Church of Saint Agatha the Elder. Celebration of the First Vespers of the solemnity of Saint Agatha V.M., presided over by H.E.R. Mons Vincenzo Viva, Bishop of Albano, the liturgy animated by the community of the interdiocesan Seminary. The procession continues through Via Plebiscito, Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Risorgimento, Via Aurora, Palermo, Piazza Palestro, in this square reflections by Rev. Fr. Rosario Mazzola, parish priest at the Sacred Heart at the Fortino and Forane Vicar, then through Via Garibaldi, Plebiscito, Dusmet, return to Piazza Duomo from Porta Uzeda.
Wednesday, February 5 – Solemnity of Saint Agatha V.M.
8:00 AM: Holy Mass in the Church of Saint Agatha at the Badia.
10:00 AM: The Authorities with the Banners of the City, the Province, and the University will go from the Palazzo degli Elefanti to the Cathedral.
10:15 AM: His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, the Excellencies Archbishops and Bishops of Sicily, the Canons, the Clergy, and the Seminary will move in a liturgical procession from the Archbishop's Palace to the Cathedral Basilica for the Solemn Pontifical. The liturgical service will be overseen by the students of the interdiocesan Seminary, and the music animation by the Musical Chapel of the Cathedral.
Holy Masses in the Cathedral at 1:00 PM; 2:00 PM; 3:00 PM.
4:00 PM: Holy Mass presided over by H.E.R. Mons. Alessandro Damiano, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agrigento.
5:00 PM: Procession of the Sacred Relics through Via Etnea; in front of the Collegiate Basilica floral tribute by the Chapter of Canons and members of the Citizens' Circle Saint Agatha; the procession continues through Via Caronda, Piazza Cavour; in this square floral tribute by the Association Saint Agatha at the Borgo and reflections by Rev. Fr. Enzo Fatuzzo, parish priest in Saint Agatha at the Borgo and Forane Vicar. Then it continues through Via Etnea, Sangiuliano, Crociferi; in front of the Church of San Benedetto floral tribute by the Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, reflections by the chaplain Mons. Antonino La Manna, Episcopal Vicar for Culture; it continues through Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi, Via della Lettera, Garibaldi, Piazza Duomo. Upon return to the Cathedral, celebration of blessing and thanksgiving presided over by H.E. Mons. Archbishop.
From February 6 to 11 in the Cathedral, Holy Masses at the Altar of Saint Agatha at 7:30 AM; 10:00 AM; 6:00 PM. The evening Mass will be animated by some parishes of the Archdiocese.
Wednesday, February 12 – Closing of the Celebrations
7:30 AM; 9:00 AM; 10:00 AM; 11:00 AM; 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM; 2:30 PM; 4:00 PM; 7:00 PM: Holy Masses
8:00 AM: Exhibition of the Sacred Relics.
From 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM the faithful can approach to venerate the sacred relics in the chapel of Saint Agatha.
10:00 AM: Holy Mass presided over by H.E.R. Mons. Salvatore Gristina, Emeritus Archbishop of Catania.
2:30 PM: Holy Mass for the sick and disabled.
7:00 PM: Solemn Holy Mass presided over by H.E. Mons. Archbishop. At the end, procession of the Sacred Relics in Piazza Duomo with the participation of city authorities.
