WHILE the promised cannoli are a certain drawcard, it’s the honouring of God through the intercession of the “Three Saints” – Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino – that draws locals and visitors to Stanthorpe parish on the first Sunday in May each year.
Sunday, May 5 marked recent celebrations in the regional parish, for the 26th anniversary, led by Fr Franco Filipetto who represented Toowoomba Bishop Ken Howell.
The Warwick pastor was joined by Stanthorpe parish priest Fr Gonzalo Garcia Duran and Fr Brian Connolly who is semi-retired.
After the praying of the rosary, worshipers were welcomed by Stanthorpe Three Saints Committee president Tony Minuti who said he hoped Saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino “would pray for the personal needs and intentions” of those gathered.
Following Mr Minuti, the story of the Italian martyrs, who died in Lentini, Italy in 253AD, was told by Stanthorpe Three Saints Committee secretary Nita Gasparin.
She said “many stories have been shared from people who have received gifts of healing through the intercession of the Three Saints”.
“These testimonies are filled with the spirit of God’s promise to be always with us,” Mrs Gasparin said.
“It is a spirit of hope and trust in the mercy of God.”
At the end of the Mass, sung in part by One Equal Music, a Brisbane choral ensemble, the statues of the brothers were transported around the block of the precinct for another praying of the rosary, in Italian and English.
Organisers were anticipating the annual street protest, from members of another local church, against what is witnessed in the procession especially.
Mrs Gasparin said that the gathering was and is “a festival for the whole community to share”.
“(The festival) has continued down the years with a message of heroic faith, with a welcome to all those who admire their courage,” she said.
“We ask the saints to intercede on our behalf for our spiritual welfare.”
It has been documented that prior to his death, St Alfio said: “I will never cease to give thanks and praise to God in my heart, for the eternal truth for which I die.”
The brothers’ tombs remain in Lentini, Sicily, beneath the Church of St Alfio.
Other celebrations are traditionally held not only in the northern Brisbane suburb of Lutwyche but also in Sydney and Silkwood, north Queensland.
