PhD Program in Historical studies
The Holy Week of Caltanissetta
Holy Week in CaltanissettaOf ancient origins, Caltanissetta has linked its name to the Moncada of Paternó, the powerful aristocratic family who ruled the city for more than four centuries, until the abolition of feudalism in Sicily (1812). Like other cities in Sicily, Caltanissetta also was involved in an anti-Savoy revolt in 1718, only to spend a few years later, as the rest of Sicily, under Bourbon rule. is one of the most important examples of Christian devotion in southern Italy. The rites there begin on Palm Sunday, at dusk: the statue of Jesus of Nazareth, nestled on a floral boat, makes its entrance in the Church of Sant’Agata al Collegio (Saint Agatha at the School), through its majestic staircase. The church was once the home of the Confraternita della Santa Vergine BambinaIn the past, this brotherhood, as well as participating in the sacred procession of Holy Thursday (during which it carried the vara of the Second Fall and of the Second Encounter of Jesus with Mary) in procession, also enacted a statuary representation of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ (which took place on the fourth Fridays before Easter). (The Confraternity of the Holy Virgin Baby) which, among other things, was responsible for the conception of the procession of the Nazarene. Even at the end of the eighteenth century, the former Jesuit College of Caltanissetta, at the time of Lent, held theatrical performances based on the theme of the Passion (originally known as Casazze in Sicily, and then called Misteri). Taken up again in the middle of the last century, today these evocations are organized by a theatrical association. While in the past they were mainly focused on the moments of the Crucifixion and Deposition (‘a ScinnenzaThe Scinnenza and other Easter rites of Caltanissetta are an example of the chronologically distorted reconstruction of Holy Week. The Passion and Death of Christ, in fact, are deferred to the earliest days of the week and then variously evoked in the following days, as the time to reiterate suffering (and also to allow the different people of the town to participate as key players in the Easter ceremonies)., a term from the dialect from which the entire ceremony takes its name), for some years the stage action also includes the subject of the Resurrection. The sacred representation starts on Holy Monday (with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the Last Supper), continues on to Holy Tuesday (with the trial, the Way of the Cross and the Deposition) and ends on Easter Sunday. Contrary to what happens in Trapani and in many other Italian and Spanish cities, the day of Good Friday in Caltanissetta does not culminate with the procession of the Misteri. At the centre of this day, is, in fact, the beautiful Gothic crucifix, dedicated to the patron saint of Caltanissetta: il Signore della città (the Lord of the city). It is the oldest image in Caltanissetta, carved in black wood, carried in procession on the shoulders of gatherers of wild grass: the fogliamari. The latter walk barefoot singing storied and poignant devotional songs (the ladate or lamentanze). Placed in a Baroque golden crown-shaped vara, the sacred crucifix is preceded by the Real Maestranza, ecclesiastical and civil authorities, from the various towns and congregations of the faithful (many of them barefoot).