A tradition from the old country now strong down under, Kooweerup celebrated over 50 years honouring their Patron Saint Sofia.
The St Sophia Festival was held on Sunday 26 October at St John the Baptist Church.
No amount of rain could dampen the tradition that has been held annually for 52 years. The day honours St Sophia, the patron saint of the hilltop town of Sortino in Sicily, where many in the Kooweerup community trace their roots.
Today, it remains an enduring celebration of both the local town, the church and Melbourne’s Italian community.
Mass is followed by a procession of St Sofia’s statue around the church grounds, which is then followed by a day of song and delicious food.
In Kooweerup, the festival began as a gathering of many members of Melbourne’s Italian diaspora, especially those from Sortino. Over half a century later, the day is still going strong.
In Sortino, the holy celebration of St Sofia has been undertaken for close to 500 years.
