The Italian love of family is one of the big reasons that food is so important in Italian’s everyday life (1). Extended families often eat together in large gatherings to celebrate the many religious festivals and holidays. It is also common for an Italian family to dine together every Sunday for a three course meal.

Many Italian families have family secrets in their cooking that has been passed down from generation to generation.

At the core of the Italian everyday life that celebrates the family and places a high premium on religion and tradition, every other thing revolves around food and its powerful bonding effects (1).

With Rome housing the Vatican, the center of the Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism plays a crucial role in Italian culture, traditions, and everyday life.

Protestantism never took root in Italy during the Protestant Reformation, and Catholicism is still the predominant religion.

While very few Italians can be considered devout, practicing Catholics, the religion still has an influence. Many older government and public buildings still bear a crucifix, and statues of the Virgin Mary can be seen in the streets and squares. Religious images can be seen in windows, and many citizens engage with holy objects such as shrines.

Sunday family gatherings and large public feasts that are still practiced today are rooted in the celebration of the Sabbath (2).