August 19, 2024

The Feast of Maria SS dell’Assunta held in South End

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD — The rain did not deter the faithful from sharing their Catholic faith in the South End of Springfield, Sunday, Aug. 18 where the second annual Feast of Maria SS dell’Assunta was held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. After a long hiatus, 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 last summer, in honor of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated in the church Aug. 15.

The procession followed the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

“It’s important to give thanks for the Blessed Mother who blesses us every day. Also, it’s a cultural thing for the Calabrese people that came from Calabria. We used to do this years ago and this is our second annual feast. The statue came from Calabria,” said Lisa Placanica, who helped organize the procession and dinner that followed later in the evening.

“We’re trying to bring back the traditions where in the community we had unity. The Italian people came together through faith and culture. It means a lot because my father was one of the originals that started this,” Placanica 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.

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 Assumption is the representation of the reconciliation of humanity with God. She is kind of the precursor of what we’re going to be someday,” said Dario Gagliano, a Mt. Carmel parishioner who helped organize the procession.

“She has the perfect life that we were supposed to have and one day we will have and that’s why we admire her so much. It shows the glory of God, not the glory of Mary in herself because she was brought this way because God gave her that grace. And now we will get that one day ourselves. She represents that hope because through Christ she obtained that and through Christ we will,” Gagliano said.

Another procession is planned for Sept. 8 for the Feast of Our Lady of Grace and Sept. 22 for the Feast of Padre Pio. For more information, go to springfielditalians.org