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Con Vera Fede! (With True Faith)
Viva Sant' Alfio! Viva San Filadelfo! Viva San Cirino!
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By Giovanni di Napoli
O Fratelli Santi in Cielo, uniti da un solo amore, irradiate tra i fedeli, la grazie del Signore.
– Final chorus from the Hymn to the Three Holy Brothers
This Labor Day Weekend Il Regno and friends took a long weekend to Boston's historic North End for some much needed R&R. Admittedly, visiting Boston was fun and educational (the details of the trip will be recounted in an upcoming post) but the primary reason we chose it as our destination was to partake in the Feast of the Three Saints in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Just twenty-five minutes north of Boston, Lawrence is home to a vibrant Southern Italian community who hail primarily from Trecastagni, a small town near Catania in Sicily. Each year they host an exhilarating celebration in honor of their Patrons: Saint Alfio, Saint Filadelfo and Saint Cirino, three Christian brothers martyred for their faith on May 10, 253 AD.
Warmly welcomed by members of The Saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino Society (who kindly took time from their busy schedule to talk to us), we were given a tour of their newly renovated facility and a chance to see the Three Saints before the festivities.
After Mass devotees gathered outside Corpus Christ Parish at Holy Rosary Church (35 Essex Street) and enthusiastically awaited the emergence of the Three Saints. Their arrival was electric. With much fanfare the Brothers were carried through the cheering throng to the awaiting carroccio, or carriage. The tolling church bells were complemented with a continuous barrage of confetti and fireworks. I'm told this is the only time during the year the bells are rung.
With the Saints secured in the carriage, the celebrants began making offerings and presented their children for the glorious Martyrs' intercession. Accompanied by the Saint Alfio's Band and the Banda Recreativa Portugesa the procession made its way through the neighborhood, bestowing their blessings to the wider community.
Several hours later the cortège returned to the front of the Society building (20 Common Street) for the Benediction. During the "Moment of Glory" doves and balloons symbolizing peace and new beginnings were released in a display of optimism. A second fusillade of confetti and fireworks filled the sky as deafening chants of "Viva Sant' Alfio!" roared from the fervent crowd.
The festivities continued into the night with the sentimental love songs of Franco Corso, the "Voice of Romance" from San Remo, Italy. This talented crooner had families and friends dancing in the streets. Between meals we mingled with the locals who were more than happy to point out their favorite food stands and share personal anecdotes of past feasts.
The fête was undoubtedly the grand finale of a wonderful trip. Next year marks the 90th anniversary of the celebration and promises to be even better.
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| What a pleasure it was to meet Barbara and Frank Incropera, they were the first to welcome us and make us feel at home. They are a true testament to the kindness and generosity of this wonderful community. |
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| Society members Moe, Jerry and Norman pose with the Three Saints inside Holy Rosary Church. They kindly allowed us to visit the Saints before the ceremonies. |
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| Joe Scuderi gave us a wonderful tour of the Society's new building. We learned a lot about the history of the Feast and the Southern Italian community of Lawrence. He showed us many historic photographs and cherished relics |
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| A look at the chapel inside the Society's building. On display was the original painting carried during the processions before Alfio Bonaccorsi, a founder of the Society, commissioned the statues in 1924 |
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| An ornately decorated cart from Taormina, Sicily was on exhibit |
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| The Three Saints slowly make their way from the church to the carroccio |
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| Departing Holy Rosary Church |
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| The procession makes its way through the neighborhood |
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| The Benediction |
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| Children receive the Saints' blessings |
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| Service with a smile from our new friends at the North End Deli |
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| Revelers dance the night away Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
For more information on the lives of the Saints and the history of the society please visit their website at http://www.threesaintsinc.org/
