Tradition of San Vito Lo Capo

Traditions of San Vito Lo Capo.

Another event that is becoming ever more of an institution is the annual San Vito Italia meeting, held between the end of April and mid-May. Orchestrated by Father Messana, archpriest of the Sanctuary of San Vito Lo Capo, the week-long event encompasses exhibitions, debates, marching bands and concerts.		The San Vito Italia event is a co-ordinated joint effort engaging local administrations, parishes, churches, associations and other bodies throughout Italy that come together to celebrate and promote the artistic, spiritual, historical and cultural heritage derived from their shared devotion to the eponymous Saint.
	Altar of the Church of San Vito Lo Capo

The actual feast of San Vito (Saint Vitus), patron saint of the town, is celebrated in mid-June. The streets are decked out with coloured lights, and every morning a tambourine is played to invoke the magic of the festival. The highlight of the festival takes place on the evening of 15 June and is called the sbarco or 'landing', a representation of the historical arrival of Vitus accompanied by his tutor Modestus and Modestus' wife Crescentia. A breathtaking fireworks display signals the end of the festival.

	The people of San Vito hold San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) in particularly high regard, since - according to popular tradition - he was the advocate of lost causes. The cult of Saint Joseph manifests itself through the ritual of the sacred feast, the representation of the altar, the lighting of fires (called vampe) and the procession of the faithful.
Inside the church		Santa Crescenzia Chapel

The feast (called ammitu, meaning 'invitation') involves the preparation of an altar that is then used at the dinner of the Holy Family, which is represented by three of the local inhabitants. The altar is then adorned with sacred symbols and delicious foodstuffs. Both the ammitu and the lighting of the vampe take place on the evening of 18 March. The feast concludes the following day with the procession of the faithful through the streets of the town.