On Sunday evening a friend invited me to enjoy the festa del Sacro Cuore - the parish festival organised by the little church on the corner, which I hold in great affection - from her nearby balcony and I was delighted to accept.
The festa consists of special prayers and religious services and then, in the evening, the statue of Christ is carried around the district to joyous music and with a crowd following it. On the route, people put up charming little altars where the procession and passers-by can stop for a moment to pray or think. An hour or two later the statue is brought back to the church, to the accompaniment of even louder music but the celebrations are not finished yet! Christ is taken for three speedy turns around the square before he can rest! Then the fireworks begin and I must say, what Modica lacks in population it makes up for in producing noise on these occasions.
Luna Rossa, a Renzo Arbore cover band, played in the church courtyard throughout the proceedings and were still going strong when I left, just before midnight.
My friend, her family and I also enjoyed these magnificent pizze, from left to right, a wild boar sausage and rocket one [which I hadn't tried before and which was delicious] a Margherita and a capricciosa:
A cynical stranger might say,
"Is that it? A few stalls, a band and a statue being carried around?"
This, however, would be to miss the point, which, apart from the religious aspects of the event, is to be together.
Luna Rossa, Renzo Arbore Cover Band - Luna Rossa
1 comment:
A wonderful time enjoyed by all. :)
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