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One of the first things Italian immigrants did after coming to these shores, was to group together with others who hailed from the same town and form mutual benefit societies. Besides aiding each other financially, they also put all their efforts together to celebrate the "Patronal Feast". Many still exist today, for example people from San Mango, Avellino still celebrate San Teodoro in Stamford, Connecticut. While those from Teggiano, Salerno turn out in full force for the Williamsburg celebration to honor St. Cono feast held in June. In Southern Italy, a predominantly Catholic area, many Saints are venerated.
The first in line would be Mary, the mother or God invoked under titles such as "Our Lady of Grace" and "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel". In other circumstances, under odd titles such as "Our Lady of the Pomogranate" (La Madonna Della Granata). In addition, every village in Southern Italy places itself under the "protection" of a particular saint. Even large cities have their own patron saint. For example, San Gennaro protects the city of Naples, while Saint Nicholas watches over the city of Bari. The major public event in each village, or city in the "feast of the patron saint"
or "Feste Patronali".
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The Feste Patronali is a gala event in which the entire populous takes part. The streets are Illuminated with elaborate arches of lights, novena's religious services, band concerts and fireworks. The most triumphant day of the feast is on the patrons actual "feast day". After a high mass, the statue or portrait of the saint is carried through the streets in processions to the accompaniment of symphonic marches and fireworks.
There are countless lists of patron saints that guard over specific areas. Saint Blaise for example, protects from throat disease, and Saint Anne guards expectant mothers. Saint Lucy is the saint invoked against eye problems. Marcantonio's grandfather's paesani started their patronal feast of Pietrelcina, Benevento's Madonna Della Libera in 1900 in East New York, Brooklyn.
Today, Marcantonio is a proud member and organizer of two such celebrations in honor of St. Anthony of Padova in Elmont, NY, and Our Lady of the Assumption in Westbury NY. Marcantonio is the entertainment chairman for both. He chaired his first feast in 1986 at 25 yrs old, both his devotion to Saint Anthony and the Madonna Assunta. He also performs at many feasts along the East Coast, such as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Brooklyn, Franklin Square, Long Island, Bronx, NY, San Teodoro in Stamfort CT, and the grand feast of Saint Anthony Di Montefalcione in Boston. T
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The religious feasts are Marcantonio's favorite places to perform. He loves being called a "feast singer". If you would like him to bring some good traditional music to your feast, he would be only too glad to come. Bless all of you who keep up this tradition of faith, fun, togetherness and heritage alive.
"I would love to meet more of you, so drop me a line!"
~Marcantonio
Italo61@aol.com
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