Sicily is a region where many centuries-old traditions of working life are still alive, you can admire in Sicily again, fishing for tuna with the slaughter in Favignana or fishing for swordfish in the Sicilian channel.
In craftsmanship, the production of various objects such as ceramic vases and dishes is still remarkable and of great value, where the productions of the artisans of Sciacca and Caltagirone stand out, while in agriculture are appreciated all over the world wine, extra virgin olive oil, preserves and sweets.
Our patron saint of Sciacca deserves a special mention the Madonna del Soccorso whose history tells us that in 1626 exactly on February 2, the clergy and the population taken by despair at the terrible plague epidemic in progress, thought of resorting to help to the Virgin of Relief.
The Jurors of Sciacca, the clergy and the people, in the Mother Church, imploring the cessation of the plague, elected Maria Santissima del Soccorso main patron of the city, and solemnly promised to carry her simulacrum “forever and irrevocably” in procession February 2 of each year.
During that procession the miracle occurred, in the streets of the historic center a thick smoke from the Statue of the Madonna was released in the air and the cry Viva Maria! the city of Sciacca was freed from the plague.
From that year every year on February 2nd the Madonna del Soccorso is carried on the shoulders of the sailors of Sciacca through the streets of the city.
The procession is also repeated on August 15th for the numerous emigrants who return to the city in the summer.
As for the religious cults and patron saints of Sicily famous all over the world we have: the Feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo, the feast of Sant’Agata in Catania and San Calogero in Agrigento.
