Category: Traditions

Festa dei morti in Louisiana

Post author By webmaster
Post date November 8, 2020
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Updated on 11/11/2020 to recognize Gasper Schiro’s contribution to the event.

Every year, on All Saints Day, the Contessa Entellina Society celebrates the Sicilian Festival of Dead at the society mausoleum in the Italian/Sicilian section of the Metairie cemetery.

For 35 years Gasper Schiro has organized the All Saints Day celebration at Metairie Cemetery. Eight Mausoleums from the late 1800s, built by Sicilian Societies in New Orleans, are in the cemetery.

Gasper Schiro with daughter, granddaughter, son, and son-in-law.

Giuseppe Marsala, great grandfather of the current AIFEDSE president Charles Marsala, is one of the society’s founder in the 1880s.

Back in Italy la Festa dei Morti is celebrated on November^2nd. Click here to read it by yourself.

General Italy Traditions

Sober Anniversary of Italy’s Liberation

Post author By webmaster
Post date April 25, 2020
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Mattarella visit to Altare della patria 2020 — The Italian president Sergio Mattarella pays respect to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on April 25, 2020. © la Repubblica

For the first time Italy celebrates Liberation Day without marches, public demonstrations or speeches.

Mattarella, alone and wearing a face mask, climbs the steps of the Altare della Patria in Rome, to pay respect to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. View video…

The Altare della Patria (Victor Emmanuel II National Monument) is an imposing building located in Piazza Venezia. It provides some breath-taking views of Rome. Read more…

Italian phrase of the day

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General Louisiana New Orleans Religion Sicily Traditions

St. Expedite

Post author By webmaster
Post date April 23, 2020
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Expeditus, also known as Expedite, was said to have been a Roman centurion in Armenia who was martyred around April 303 in what is now Turkey, for converting to Christianity. Considered the patron saint of speedy cases, he is commemorated by the Catholic Church on 19 April. Source: Wikipedia

In this time of Coronavirus-caused financial stress, read Charles Marsala’s article about the origin of the Louisiana devotion to St. Expedite.

Italian phrase of the day

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