History

In Cammarata, the devotion to Saint Rosalia dates back to the 17th century and holds significant religious and historical importance. One of the earliest mentions of this devotion is from the year 1625, when, following a plague epidemic, the community of Cammarata turned to the saint for protection and healing. In gratitude for the end of the epidemic, permission was granted to celebrate the Feast of Saint Rosalia as a solemn feast, with dual office and octave. This event marked the beginning of a devotional tradition that involved not only annual celebrations but also the commissioning of artwork and liturgical objects dedicated to the saint.

One of the most significant pieces of this devotion is the silver reliquary, shaped like an urn with rock crystal, commissioned by Francesco Branciforte, lord of Cammarata. The reliquary, made by the Palermo silversmith school, is a refined work that replicates in miniature the style of large Sicilian Baroque reliquary urns. At the four corners of the urn are the coats of arms of the Branciforte family, emphasizing the link between the noble family and the devotion to the saint. At the top of the urn is a graceful statue of Saint Rosalia in monastic attire, symbolizing protection and devotion. This reliquary is not only an object of worship but also a symbol of Francesco Branciforte's gratitude for the saint's protection during the plague.

In the same year, in 1625, the Brotherhood of Saint Rosalia was established in Cammarata, obtaining permission to build a church dedicated to the saint. The construction of the church and the establishment of the brotherhood represented a fundamental moment for the spread and formalization of the cult of Saint Rosalia in Cammarata. The Brotherhood also received permission to publicly display the saint's relic, further strengthening her presence in the area and consolidating popular devotion.

In the following years, the devotion to Saint Rosalia in Cammarata continued to expand, supported by the Church and local authorities, who recognized her importance as the protector of the community. Religious celebrations and processions in honor of Saint Rosalia became annual events, involving the entire community in acts of faith and prayer. The presence of the reliquary, along with the church and the brotherhood, consolidated Cammarata as a center of worship dedicated to the saint, attracting faithful from nearby towns.

The reliquary of Saint Rosalia and the devotional tradition associated with her symbolize not only the faith of the community of Cammarata but also the gratitude for the protection received from the saint. This local devotion fits into the broader context of the veneration of Saint Rosalia in Sicily, which, especially after the discovery of her relics on Mount Pellegrino in Palermo, spread widely across many communities as a symbol of divine intercession against calamities.

Information from the historical archive of the Diocese of Agrigento (https://www.archiviostoricodiocesiag.it/s-rosalia-nei-documenti-dellarchivio-storico-diocesano/)