Italian festival celebrates miracle of the cross
They tried to remove the crucifix to carry for the funeral of a man of questionable character murdered in 17th century Sicily, but they couldn't move it from the wall it leaned against.
It wouldn't even budge until the body was placed in its burial place, which followers took as a sign from God that the man hadn't repented.
From that day in 1623 forward, believers from the town of Ciminna, a small town outside of Palermo, Sicily, celebrated the cross as a miracle.
To show their devotion and thanks, a procession carrying the wooden crucifix through town first took place in May 1651.
Drawing Chicago's Sicilian community and others, the annual feast of Santissimo Crocifiso di Ciminna brings out a crowd of thousands every year at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. The 12th annual celebration will be held Saturday night and Sunday at Maryville at Central and River roads.
Prospect Heights resident Philip Nigliaccio started the tradition after he and his family emerged unscathed from a horrific car crash off I-294 in 1995. He had a replica made of the Ciminna cross ˆ- and held the first feast locally in 1997.
"It was a miracle that he and his family survived a bad accident," said Nigliaccio's sister, Lee Scimeca of Arlington Heights. "He said, 'My thanks to God. I want to bring it over here.'"
The replica is now on permanent display at Maryville.
Scimeca expects at least a few thousand people to attend over the weekend. Everyone is welcome to join in the tradition.
Vespers will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday activities will start with Mass at 1:30 p.m.
Other events include a procession, horse parade and entertainment. The event will close with a fireworks display at dusk.
Italian food will be for sale, as well as plenty of activities for the whole family.
Italian Feast of SS. Crocifisso
Celebrating the miracle of the cross in 17th century Sicily, the festival includes games for children, a moon walk, train ride, face painting and a traditional horse parade. Hours are 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday and 1:30-10 p.m. Sunday at Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Road, Des Plaines. Call (847) 255-6365 or (312) 263-4930 for more information.
SATURDAY
6:30 p.m. Vespers at Maryville Academy Chapel, followed by Italy's Voice of Romance, Franco Corso, and a DJ by That's Entertainment
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. Italian Mass on Maryville Grounds celebrated by the Rev. John Belmonte and the Rev. John Smyth
3 p.m. Procession accompanied by the Sicilian Band of Chicago
5 p.m. Traditional "Horse Parade"
5 p.m. Italy's Voice of Romance, Franco Corso, and SoCo 7, featuring Italian and American music
At sunset Fireworks finale