San Antonio Di Padova

The tradition and customs of honoring Saint Anthony of Padua in the North End of Boston date back to early part of the twentieth century and the large numbers of southern Italian immigrants that reached the shores of America at that time. Hundreds of thousands of poor European immigrants flooded the urban centers of northeastern United States.

In Boston these immigrants settled in the North End. These immigrants brought with them the customs and traditions that they celebrated in their homeland for centuries. A group of men from the small mountain town of Montefalcione, Avellino, just east of Naples in the Campagnia region of Italy founded what is known as today as the San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc. Since 1919, as is done in Montefalcione on the weekend of the last Sunday of August the Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy Societies and the people of the North End celebrate the Feasts of Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy. -  Saint Anthony's Feast

Saint Anthony is coming! from Steve Dunwell on Vimeo.

Santa Maria Di Anzano Procession

 

The image of the Madonna was discovered 400 years ago in a small village now known as Anzano. It all began one day when a young farmer's cow wondered away. As he was searching for it he happened upon some shrubs. As he got closer, he noticed a beam of light shining through. With a surprised look in his eyes he realized he discovered the beautiful image of the Madonna. The young farmer was so elated at his discovery he ran home to inform the priest and townspeople about it.

 

In honor of the discovery, the townspeople erected a statue of the image that they had seen. When the statue of the Blessed Mother was completed the people attempted to move it to the neighboring town of Trevico. The statue was lifted on to a wagon with one bull pulling. The wagon could not be moved. The people decided they needed more bulls to pull the wagon. A total of nine bulls were used to bring it to the border of Trevico. However, the wagon would not go any further. The people then thought the Madonna wanted to rest in the next town of Zungolo. Again, the Madonna could not be moved.

 

The townspeople finally understood that the statue of the Madonna did not want to be moved from the place of her discovery. Subsequent to this, they built a church and a village now known as Anzano.

 

The townspeople finally understood that the statue of the Madonna did not want to be moved from the place of her discovery. Subsequent to this, they built a church and a village now known as Anzano. In Italy since that time the feast of the Madonna Di Anzano is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday. Here in Boston the Societa Santa Maria Di Anzano celebrates her feast the first weekend of June. 

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