Racalmutese community in Hamilton brings back in-person Festa

After a two-year hiatus, the Racalmutese community in Hamilton is hosting its Festa Maria SS. Del Monte, or St. Mary of the Mountain Festival.

The festival is June 24-26, and there will beseveral weekday evening events leading up to it at the Fratellanza Racalmutese Italian Club (72 Murray St. W.), a gathering point for local descendants of Racalmuto, Italy. The Festawill includea candlelight procession, music stage, singing contest, bocce tournament and a kids' zone.

Theywill be held at the same locationand the nearby Our Lady of All Souls Church (21 Barton St. W.).

The area, near James Street North,was once home to more descendants of the Sicilian town than Racalmuto itself. People from the town first started coming to Hamilton to find industry jobs after the First World War.

Centuries-old history

The festival dates back to 1503, with the story of an Italian count who was hunting in North Africa and took shelter from a storm in a cave. His crew found a Virgin Mary statue there and brought it back to Italy. While passing through Racalmuto, either his cart got stuck or his oxen refused to keep going depending on the telling and there, the statue stayed, being feted every year since.

A mainstay of the event, in both Italy and Hamilton, involves parading a Virgin Mary statue through the streets. The local version is featured in a documentary by filmmaker Terrence Odette that'scalled Festa.

In an interview with CBC Hamilton last year, festival president Joe Curto said some of what goes on at the festival might be confusing to an outsider, as it largely mimics the proceedings of the event in Racalmuto. But the community is eager to share its culture with anyone who wants to learn more.

Visit the Racalmutese Community Hamilton Facebook pagefor the full schedule of events.