Cristo alla Colonna Procession

Last night we went with good friends Emilio and Mariska (and their family) for the Holy Wednesday procession, Cristo alla Colonna in Mineo, Sicily. It felt so good to be 'home'. It also reminded me that it's ok to leave because -although you can never really go back (so they say)- having good friends to go back too makes all the difference in the world. Without their friendship I never would have experienced this inner world of a small rural Sicilian town during our two years living here for this I will always remain thankful.

After mass, the town gathered outside waiting for Cristo alla Colonna to be rolled out of the church. Some townspeople carried long candles that, when not properly peeled of their brown wrappers, became flaming torches, threatening any and all who dared tread too close.


The procession begins with the ringing of the bells and the carrying of flags by young parishioners.


Jesus begins his painstaking roll down wooden planks and onto a barely there walkway.


Here the men give an "Ohp-La!" and grunt the cart onto the planks.


The young-un's take over and, at the direction of the whistle, begin pushing Jesus into the small piazza for his welcome fireworks.

The sky at this hour was a gorgeous deep blue. This photo hasn't been touched at all. I love this time of day when the camera captures a richness you didn't even know was there.


"Hello there!" Can you see me? I'm reflected in this horn that passed before me. Behind me is the creamy white church, obviously not constructed with Etna's dark volcanic stone.

Jesus takes a pause for a fireworks display. Italians just love their bombe! Unfortunately my son does not and screamed the entire time. Apparently the girl in pink (below) doesn't like the noise either.


I'm not sure if this is the same tuba player or not, but after repositioning myself I found another reflection in the horn. By this time it was quite dark so I apologize for the lighting.


Jesus makes his way down an alley never intended for modern day vehicles before exiting onto the large town piazza and the Villa Communale which was lit like a Christmas display.

It was a full moon over Mineo and the weather was surprisingly nice with no chilly breezes to chase the townspeople into their homes. Perhaps that accounts for the number of people still in the piazza hours after the procession passed.

As for us, once the Procession passed through the piazza we stopped and took up a position in this bar on the square. After toasting two bottles worth of prosecco to old friends we hadn't seen in almost 2 years it was time to head back to our hotel (almost an hour away). We had a fantastic time visiting and are looking forward to Good Friday at Emilio's country house. Today he went to the Catania fish market to buy everything he would need for our all seafood pranzo (remember Catholics don't eat meat on Friday's during lent).