August 14, 2023

Assunta Feast brought back at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – The Sons and Daughters of Italy’s St. Padre Pio Lodge 3013, the Assunta Society and the Calabrese community of Springfield brought back the Italian Feast of Maria SS dell’Assunta at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield, Sunday, Aug. 13.

The procession wound through part of the South End following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. It was a tradition in the city for decades to honor the Blessed Mother in advance of the Feast of the Assumption, which is celebrated Aug. 15.

“We had the Our Lady of Assunta Society from years ago when my father was actually an original member,” said Lisa Placanica, who helped organize the procession and dinner that followed later in the evening.

“It was huge back then. We’ve lost touch. A lot of people have passed, so the younger generation is going to reinstate it. This is our first feast and it is so dear to our hearts,” she said.

The Assunta Feast began in 1930 on William Street by immigrants from Calabria, Italy. Maria SS dell’Assunta means Most Holy Mary of the Assumption. The early immigrants from Calabria chose St. Mary of the Assumption as the patroness of their society.

“The Blessed Mother is always important. She is part of our life every day. Whenever we can honor her, we will,” said Placanica.

Before the procession stepped off, parishioners taped money to the statue, an old tradition which in turn supports the ministries of the parish. Children led the procession, followed by a marching band which played tradition Italian music. 

“The social life in Italy was imbued by Christian tradition, faith. Now the world is changing,” said Stigmatine Father Paolo Bagattini, pastoral associate at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. “We need to rediscover the core of our faith and apply it to the world of today,” he said.

Organizers are hoping to make this an annual tradition to reinvigorate the faith of the entire community. Many people in the neighborhoods came out of their homes to take video of the procession.

“The Blessed Mother is the best witness of Jesus Christ because she accepted the message. She put her will totally at the disposition of Jesus,” said Father Bagattini.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which will temporarily air Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS from Sept. 3 through Nov. 19.