Festival of Saint Agatha (Catania)

Sicilians celebrate Saint Agatha for her purported intercession to avert danger during eruptions of Mount Etna, earthquakes, and some epidemics that had affected Catania.

Cannalori, sixteen large candles in baroque gilt casings that proceeds from the Church of Sant'Agata alla Fornace to the Cathedral of St. Agatha.

[6] The next day, after the Messa dell'Aurora (Italian for 'Mass at Dawn'), a reliquary-bust of St. Agatha atop a silver fercola or carriage leaves the cathedral and is pulled through the neighborhoods, passing places associated with the life of the saint.

The devoted followers wear the traditional white tunic that covers the body down to the ankles and is tied at the waist with a rope.

[7] Gaily decorated kiosks sell traditional street food such as arancini (rice balls) and beccafico sardines (with breadcrumbs, pine nuts and raisins).