June 15, 2025

Ribbon cutting marks opening of historic landmark in Springfield’s South End

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Sal Circosta, (left), president of the Springfield Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, St. Padre Pio 3013, participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Casa Italiana in Springfield’s South End. (IObserve photo/courtesy of the St. Padre Pio Sons and Daughters of Italy)

SPRINGFIELD – Community leaders and members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield gathered for a ribbon-cutting Friday, June 13 to mark the grand opening of Casa Italiana, on Winthrop Street in Springfield’s South End. The newly restored Italian Social Club will be the home of St. Padre Pio 3013, Sons and Daughters of Italy and Societe della Madonna del Carmine.

The Springfield Order of the Sons & Daughters of Italy also announced the official return of the beloved Italian Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, set to take place July 12-13 in the South End. There has not been a “La Festa” in the neighborhood for 20 years.

“The opening of Casa Italiana and the revival of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast serve as powerful reminders of the deep roots between Italian identity and Catholic faith, especially here in the South End of Springfield,” said Sal Circosta, member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and president of St. Padre Pio 3013, Sons and Daughters of Italy.

“For generations, our ancestors built not only homes and businesses in this neighborhood, but also a community centered on family, faith, and tradition. By restoring Casa Italiana and reopening it as the home of the St. Padre Pio Sons & Daughters of Italy, we are re-establishing a sacred space where faith, culture, and community meet. This is more than just a building—it’s a beacon of Catholic heritage that invites people of all ages to rediscover their spiritual identity,” he said.

For the last few years, Circosta has organized a procession on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel following Mass at the parish. “La Festa” will feature traditional Italian food, games, music and rides. It also includes the procession after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, July 13.

“The return of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is not only a celebration of tradition, it’s a public act of faith. It reminds us that our culture is not just food and music, but a lived spirituality grounded in the sacraments, devotion to the saints, and reverence for Our Lady,” Circosta continued. “These events rekindle pride in our heritage while encouraging a deeper understanding of how faith has always been the heart of Italian life. In a time when so many are seeking meaning and connection, this revival helps us proclaim that our traditions endure and that our faith still leads the way.”