Why go A month of celebrations for the 400 years of the miracle: the procession is Friday 20 November at 18:00.
Four hundred years since the miracle
The Jubilee of the Padre della Misericordia is promoted for the fourth centenary of the miracle (1626-2026): according to tradition, the crucifix known as the Padre della Misericordia put an end to the plague that had struck Nicosia. For the 400 years the calendar runs from 1 to 30 November 2026 around the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the crucifix is kept.
The opening
On 30 October the crucifix was moved from its nave to the central altar of the basilica and placed under its old canopy. On 1 November, before Mass, the bishop of the Diocese of Nicosia, Mons. Giuseppe Schillaci, was welcomed by the parish priest, Father Delfio Scandurra, and by the superior of the Congregation of Divine Mercy, Salvatore Milici, with the members of the congregation in their traditional red habit. During the celebration, at 19:00, the Jubilee lamp was lit: the oil was offered by the civil and military authorities, and the flame stays alight for the whole month.
Friday 20 November
This is the day of the procession. Mass is at 7:00, the philatelic postmark from 9:00 to 13:00, the Eucharistic celebrations at 10:30 and 16:30. At 18:00 the procession moves through the streets of the town.
The programme, day by day
- 2 November: Mass at 9:00 at the Cemetery and at 19:00.
- 5 November: Jubilee of religious and consecrated people.
- 6 November: at 19:00, history conference «La Peste tra Scienza e Devozione».
- 7 November: Jubilee of the family, Mass at 19:00 and concert at 20:00.
- 8 November: Jubilee of health workers and ministers of the Eucharist, Mass at the Hospital at 9:30 and an evening celebration.
- 9 November: Jubilee of the communities of San Nicolò and Santa Croce.
- 12 November: Jubilee of priests, meeting of the diocesan clergy at 10:00.
- 13 November: at 19:00, conference «La Santa Croce, San Saturnino e Santa Severina. I Reliquiari della Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore».
- 14 November: Jubilee of the confraternities, gathering in Piazza Garibaldi at 16:00 and Jubilee pilgrimage.
- 15 November: Jubilee of lay associations and service clubs; at 15:30 the walk on the «passi della Misericordia».
- 16 November: Jubilee of the communities of San Paolo and Santi Salvatore.
- 17 November: penitential celebration at 19:00.
- 19 November: at 20:00, in the church of San Biagio, concert by the State Police band of Enna, for the centenary of the Province of Enna and for the Jubilee.
- 20 November: procession at 18:00, with the appointments listed above.
- 21 November: the young people of the Diocese, gathering at 17:00 and Mass at 19:00.
- 22 November: Jubilee of work.
- 23 November: Jubilee of the San Gabriele parish.
- 26 November: Jubilee of deacons.
- 27 November: Giornate FAI Scuola from 9:00 to 13:00 and, at 19:00, a literary reading by the FAI.
- 28 November: Jubilee of schools, catechists and children in Christian initiation.
- 29 November: Jubilee of culture, music, sport and entertainment, with the prize-giving of the photography competition.
- 30 November: day of thanksgiving and close of the Jubilee time, with the Eucharistic celebration at 19:00.
The published programme does not always give the place.
Sources: TeleNicosia, «Nicosia celebra con un Giubileo i 400 anni del miracolo del Padre della Misericordia», 28 October 2026 (read 4 November 2026); TeleNicosia, «Nicosia, quattro secoli dal miracolo del Padre della Misericordia: al via il Giubileo con la basilica gremita», 2 November 2026 (read 4 November 2026). In Italian.
