The celebrations in honor of the patron saint of Enna, Our Lady, last for two weeks.
During this time, the wooden statue of the Madonna is exhibited in the church annexed to the Franciscan Monastery of Montesalvo.
In the same place, pagan rites in honor of Demeter were celebrated until the end of the Middle Ages. The small Catholic church was built there for the purpose of putting an end to paganism, which was considered an obsolete religion. But, paganism remained in the heart of the people of Enna and it is brought back to life every year for fifteen days through the devotion to the Madonna, which replaced the old cult of the goddess Demeter.
Yesterday, the confraternities of the various neighborhoods of Enna paid homage to the Madonna. The confraternities were born during the Spanish domination of the island, but some, like that of the Most Holy Savior, claim that their foundations date back to the Knights Templar.
When I arrived at the place, the processions had just ended, while the music of the town band continued for a while. I too entered the church and said a prayer to Our Lady, the patroness of the people of Enna!
Ettore Grillo, author of these books:
– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)
– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)
– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)
– Travels of the Mind (English edition)
– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)
– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)
Ettore Grillo's Blog 