Procession coordinator, Trapani, Sicily.
Easter in Sicily is one of those episodes of wonderment and fervor where the spectacle of belief seems to overwhelm (even overstate) the system of faith behind it. I spent a two weeks photographing the commemorations in Marsala, Trapani, Prizzi and Palermo in 2002, and came away with a deep appreciation of devoutness, ceremony and ritual that marks the people there.
Devotees muster before a procession, Marsala, Sicily
Hooded devotees, Prizzi, Sicily
Nighttime procession, Palermo, Sicily
Huge processionals are hoisted through the streets and staged in churchs by men of every station.
Tradesmen relax in a chapel after depositing their processionals. Erice, Sicily.
The most prominent people of each city are afforded the highest perches. Marsala, Sicily.
Erice, Sicily.
Nighttime processional, Marsala, Sicily.