Italian Easter Traditions (2 min read)

This week is a special one for Italians… Holy Week! Many people in the USA celebrate Easter Sunday, but just on Sunday— in Italy it means a week full of tradition…check them out! 

The official start of Holy week is Palm Sunday a week before Easter. Italians go to mass, receive palms and children bring them to family members as gifts. 

The next important day is Holy Thursday; the day of the Last Supper. Italians visit an odd number of churches to pray to symbolize visiting tombs. At mass there is also a reenactment of the washing of the feet as Jesus did for his disciples. 

In the south of Italy Holy Thursday dinner is traditionally zuppa di cozze; mussels in a tomato broth. It is also the last day that you will hear bells or see bright lights in churches as the days of mourning begin before Sunday.

Good Friday is a quiet day. Expect to see processions through the towns of the cross, a reenactment of the passion of Christ.

On Holy Saturday the women are usually busy preparing all the delights to be eaten on Sunday. There is an Easter Vigil mass  and again on Sunday morning, fun of music and light, rejoicing that Jesus has risen from the dead. 

And let’s not forget about the food…

Italians eat a lot of eggs on Easter— but why?

Eggs are a symbol of birth and fertility. Italian food is particularly rich on Easter since Italians spent the last 40 days of Lent fasting, abstaining from certain foods and in a more somber mood, taking the opportunity to reflect. 

The main meal usually consists of lamb, of a variety of Easter pies made with grain, cheeses, meats. Of Italian children receiving chocolate Easter eggs with a surprise toy inside. Also, the Colomba, the sweet bread in the shape of a bird. And the list goes on…. Check out our Instagram for photos of food we’re eating this week!

It is a special week to visit Italy whether you are religious or not to take part in the traditions and the significance of the moment. 

Buona Pasqua!