The patron of Procida is Saint Michael the Archangel, to whom the island's abbey is dedicated. He is celebrated twice: on 29 September and on 8 May, the anniversary of the apparition.
The rites the island most recognises itself in, though, are those of Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, after the washing of the feet, twelve brothers of the Arciconfraternita dei Bianchi — founded in 1581 by Cardinal Innico d'Avalos d'Aragona — put on hoods and walk as apostles, a cross on the shoulder and a crown of thorns, led by the "centurion". On Good Friday the Procession of the Mysteries goes out, closed by the youngest children, the little angels, dressed in black and gold.
