A program that involves many locations in the province of Trapani
April 13 – Palm Sunday – Buseto Palizzolo
Holy Week begins with the living Via Crucis of Buseto Palizzolo. Moments of the Passion, arranged on mobile sets. Musical bands and groups in penitential clothes parade, led by the Crucifix.
The Procession of the Mysteries of Buseto Palizzolo, unique in its kind, offers sixteen living pictures that embrace the entire time span of the Paschal Mystery which is not only Passion and Death, but also Resurrection.
Opening hours: 17.00 to 24.00
April 15 – Trapani
Tuesday is dedicated to the procession of the "Madre Pietà dei Massari". The simulacrum, carried by the massari, is a neoclassical sculpture with a 16th century painting and the image of the veil of Veronica.
It starts from the church of Purgatory and goes through the historic center to Piazza Lucatelli, where it is placed in a temporary chapel. The next day the meeting with the "Madre Pietà del Popolo" takes place.
April 16 – Trapani
Wednesday is the turn of the procession of the "Madre Pietà del Popolo", curated by the class of greengrocers. The simulacrum presents two opposing images: the face of the Madonna and that of Christ.
The meeting with the Madonna dei Massari takes place in Piazza Lucatelli.
April 17 – Marsala
On Holy Thursday in Marsala a procession takes place in which the inhabitants interpret the characters of the Passion, keeping alive the tradition of popular theatrical performances.
Eight scenes follow one another through the streets of the city. Only Christ is given a wax mask to ensure its uniformity over time.
Departure from the church of Sant'Anna, in via XIX Luglio.
April 18 – Trapani
Good Friday in Trapani begins with the function of the “Descent of the Cross”. The statue of Christ is taken down from the cross on a white sheet and exposed to the faithful.
In the afternoon, the historic procession of the Mysteries begins. Eighteen sculptural groups, along with two simulacra, parade for 24 hours. The works, created between the 17th and 18th centuries, are entrusted to master craftsmen.
The organization is taken care of by the Unione Maestranze.
April 18 – Erice
Erice also celebrates its Mysteries. The atmosphere of the medieval village makes the procession even more suggestive.
It is a Via Crucis immersed in a collected atmosphere, accompanied by the prayers of the faithful.
The procession opens with participants wearing a white tunic with red embroidery, the typical colours of the friars of the Congregation of Purgatory.
The statues, smaller than those in Trapani, fit well into the context of Erice.
The groups are seven and represent the moments of the Passion of Christ: “Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane”, “The Flagellation”, “The Crowning with Thorns”, “The Ascent to Calvary”, the Crucifix, the Urn. Closing the procession is the Addolorata, an image of the Virgin wrapped in a black cloak.
April 20 – Easter – Trapani
The procession of the Risen Christ is held in Trapani.
April 20 – Easter – Castelvetrano
On Easter morning in Castelvetrano, “l’Aurora” is celebrated, the symbolic moment of the encounter between the risen Christ and the Madonna. The statue of Jesus, made of papier-mâché, is carried on the shoulders of four men and placed on one side of the square.
On the other side is the Madonna, dressed in a black velvet cloak and with a handkerchief tied to her chest. The two figures are arranged so that they cannot see each other.
When the trumpet sounds, a papier-mâché angel carried by four boys crosses the square to announce to Mary the resurrection of her son.
