Casa Nostra

St. Patrick's Parish Area Reunion Dinner

Saint Michael Church 125 Year Anniversary Sunday September 28, 2014

Banner Celebrating the 125th Anniversary

Wooster Street Residents Celebrating The Occassion

Harry DeBenedet,Rich Biondi,Alphonse Lauro, Joseph Savo

Joe Colello and Family

Procession Mid 1920's In Front Of Saint Michael Church

Society of Santa Maria Maddalena

123 Wooster Street New Haven, CT 06511

President Andrew Consiglio (203) 773-3143

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/8360/2692381?title=religion_and_sprituality_at_clipsyndicate

Click on picture above to watch procession video

Immigrants from the Italian town of Atrani in the Salerno Province, south of Naples, who settled in the Wooster Square area in New Haven, founded the Society of Santa Maria Maddalena on May 1, 1898. Named for the patron saint of Atrani, this mutual aid society assisted Atrani immigrants with housing, employment, English translating, and legal matters. Over the years, the society's purpose has become more community oriented, helping any worthwhile cause or individual regardless of ethnic background. It has donated in excess of $124,000 to numerous causes, charities, and organizations, which include St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in New Haven, the Salvation Army, Columbus House (for the homeless), Connecticut Hospice, and Iwo Jima Survivors. The society has also provided scholarships for inner city youths.

The Santa Maria Maddalena Society preserves the traditions, heritage and culture of its members' ancestors, and also maintains ties to Atrani by providing assistance to the Santa Maria Maddalena Church in Italy and the society's Italian sister organization for its annual Festa to Santa Maria Maddalena which coincides with the feast day in Connecticut. During the week of July 22, a replica of the original statue of the saint, which was brought to the United States in 1914, is carried through the streets of Wooster Square. The saint is adorned with jewelry provided by the original members of the society. The feast procession culminates at St. Michael's Catholic Church where a high mass is celebrated. The feast celebration extends for four days with Italian music and food, and on Saturday evening, Neapolitan music is featured.

The holiday is a time for reuniting with friends and providing younger generations with opportunities to learn about their culture. About 45,000 people attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the feast day in 1998, at which time the corners of Wooster and Chestnut streets were renamed Santa Maria Maddalena Corner by the city. The Society of Santa Maria Maddalena is the oldest American fraternal organization in Connecticut.

Dedication ceremony naming the corners of Wooster and Chestnut Streets Santa Maria Maddalena Corner, June 21, 1998.

Francis Santacroce has marched holding the American Flag “ever since I can remember.” He marched again Sunday, once again leading the Old World Traditional Procession to honor and celebrate the birth of Santa Maria Maddelana.

Santacroce said he looks forward to being a part of the procession every year: “It’s very cheerful to see everyone together. Everyone knows each other—it’s great.” Santacroce grew up in Wooster Square; he remembers attending the procession ever since he was young

The Society of Santa Maria Maddelana was formed on May 1, 1898, by immigrants from Atrani, Italy, who settled in New Haven. The society was named after their patron, Saint of Atrani. Each year, members celebrate Santa Maria Maddelana’s Feast Day, by holding a mass at Saint Michael’s Church, followed by a procession and celebrations.

According to Santacroce, eight men are needed to carry the statue of Santa Maria Maddelana, because “it weighs between 600 to 700 pounds.”

Andrew Consiglio, president of the Santa Maria Maddelana Society, has been a member of the society for over 40 years. “The Lord is with us today,” he said, “because the weather is much cooler. It’s usually always so hot when we do the parade, so this is just great.”

According to Consiglio, the parade used to draw hundreds. Although the numbers have dropped over the years, “it’s still a great celebration and tradition.”

Consiglio, a retired police officer who now develops real estate spoke to the crowd of some 100 people who gathered for the procession Sunday, during a snack break at the Apostle Society’s Clubhouse at 515 Chapel St. They all then continued the walk to The Santa Maria Maddalena clubhouse at 123 Wooster S.

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