Festa di Maria SS. della Mercede

For the past week we've noticed panels being erected around the Chiesa della Madonna della Mercede in the nearby Piazza Sant'Anna, and in a row along Via Roma, the main thoroughfare leading to the Piazza.  The panels form patterns of coloured lights and last night we watched the workmen fixing the final panels in place and testing the lighting for this weekend's festa.

The history of the Mercedary Order in Palermo dates back to 1636 and the feast, to spread the word of the Virgin Mary of Merced, is held each year on the weekend of the last Sunday in September.  The festivities include a street procession carrying a restored - and much treasured - wood sculpture representation of the Madonna that was created in 1790 by Palermo sculptor Girolamo Bagnasco.

I can't help but hope that the apartment dwellers around the piazza are happy to enjoy the lightshow and share in the celebrations...at least they have the best seat in the house when the procession arrives tomorrow.