2020 Italian Patron Saint Calendar

ATTENZIONE! All events are subject to cancellation or postponement due to the coronavirus outbreak. Please call first to check on the status of the event.

Each year, more than three-dozen Italian patron saint celebrations grace the Chicago area. Kept alive by paesani from villages and cities across Italy, these events preserve some of the most cherished of our traditions. Festivities range from simple religious services to solemn masses and processions to family festivals that last several days. But they all have one thing in common: devotion to the spiritual protectors of la bell’Italia. At press time, information was available on the following events.

MAY 20
THE ST. MARY OF SAMBUCA SOCIETY will host a May Crowning at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. The event will feature a blessing at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and entertainment by Johnny Maggio. The donation is $50 per person. (Donna Tagli, 708-751-2839)

MAY 24
THE FEAST OF ST. ELENA OF LAURINO is hosted by the Devotees of St. Elena of Laurino. It features an 11 a.m. Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, followed by a luncheon at Pompei Restaurant. (Judi Campagna, 847-577-9648)

JUNE 6-7
THE FEAST OF SANT’ANTONIO at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford is sponsored by the parish. It features the traditional blessing of the bread at the 4:30 p.m. Mass on June 6, and at the 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. masses on June 7. (815-965-2761)

JUNE 7
THE FEAST OF SANTA LIBERATA DI PIZZONE is sponsored by Società Santa Liberata di Pizzone. It features a 2:30 p.m. Mass at Divine Savior Church in Norridge, followed by a procession with Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana, then a 6 p.m. dinner dance at Porretta’s in Chicago. (Dominic Mancini, 312-415-6283)
THE FEAST OF SAN PIO at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park is celebrated by the parish. It features a noon Mass in Italian and English, followed by a procession and reception. (708-344-4140)

JUNE 13
THE FEAST OF SANT’ANTONIO at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation Branch No. 392. It features a 7:30 p.m. Mass in Italian with the traditional blessing of the bread. (Teresa Helfand, 773-763-0507)
THE FEAST OF SANT’ANTONIO at St. Monica Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation Branch No. 439. It features a 2 p.m. Italian Mass with the traditional blessing and distribution of bread, followed by a reception in Beyenka Hall. (Anna Tamburello, 224-315-2858)

JUNE 13-14
THE FEAST OF SS. CROCIFISSO & SAN GIOVANNI BOSCO DI CIMINNA at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines is sponsored by Società SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna (Chicago). Festivities culminate on June 14 with a 12:30 p.m. Mass in Italian, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago as well as the traditional parade of horses, a family festival with food, live entertainment and evening fireworks. A vespers service at 7 p.m. on June 14 will be followed by live entertainment. (Frank Faraci, 847-577-8230)

JUNE 14
THE FEAST OF SANT’ANTONIO at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park is sponsored by the parish’s St. Anthony Society. It features a 10:30 a.m. Mass in Italian, followed by the distribution of the blessed bread, a procession, a reception and the veneration of the relic. A Triduum will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on June 11 and 12, and will culminate on the saint’s feast day, June 13, with a 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by a small outdoor reception. (708-344-4140)

JUNE 28
THE FEAST OF SAN PIO at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation Branch No. 392. It features a 1:30 p.m. Mass in Italian, English and Polish, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band and a buffet dinner. Tickets for the dinner are $25 for adults and $15 for children. (Teresa Helfand, 773-763-0507)

JULY 12
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL in Jerome Huppert Woods at Fullerton and Thatcher avenues is sponsored by the Society of the Blessed Virgin of Mt. Carmel. It features a picnic that begins at 10 a.m. and includes a noon Mass. (Diana DiDomenico, 312-718-5219)

JULY 17-19
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park is sponsored by the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast Committee. Festivities culminate on July 19 with a 9 a.m. Mass in Italian, a procession to a field Mass at noon, and a second procession featuring traditional festa music and ending with the benediction. A street celebration with food and entertainment will run from July 17-19. A Novena will run from July 10-18. Related events include the presentation of the banners at 7 p.m. on July 14, the presentation of the roses at 6 p.m. on July 15 and the memorial service for deceased members of the Feast Committee at 7 p.m. on July 16. The Blessed Mother’s feast day, July 16, will be celebrated with a 7:30 p.m. Mass. (708-344-4140)

JULY 26
THE FEAST OF BEATO GIOVANNI LICCIO at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Società Beato Giovanni Liccio di Caccamo. Festivities include a noon Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a family festival featuring food, live entertainment and activities for children. A coroncina and Mass will be celebrated at Cappella Beato Giovanni in Chicago from July 19-24. (Joe Castellesse, 847-630-9083)
FESTA DI TUTTI I SANTI at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago is sponsored by the Shrine. It features an 11 a.m. Mass and procession, followed by a family festival with food, live entertainment, a bocce contest, children’s activities and a pictorial history of the Taylor Street neighborhood. (312-421-3757)

AUGUST 2
THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI VALENZANO at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Associazione San Rocco di Valenzano. It features a noon Mass, followed by a procession, family picnic and fireworks. (Frank De Frenza, 630-458-0452)

AUGUST 5-9
THE FEAST OF SAN DONATO at St. Donatus Church in Blue Island is sponsored by the parish. Festivities culminate on Aug. 9 with a 10 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession featuring Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana. A street festival with food and live entertainment will run from Aug. 5-9. (708-385-2890)

AUGUST 7-9
THE FEAST OF SAN LORENZO AND SAN ROCCO is sponsored by the Amaseno Lodge No. 3 of Chicago Heights. Festivities culminate on Aug. 9 with an 11:30 a.m. Mass at the San Rocco Oratory in Chicago Heights, preceded and followed by processions from and to the lodge with the statues of San Lorenzo and San Rocco. A street festival with food and live entertainment will run from Aug. 7-9. (708-557-2733)

AUGUST 8-9
ESTA ITALIANA IN HONOR OF MARIA SS. DELL’ASSUNTA in Crest Hill is sponsored by the American Italian Cultural Society. Festivities culminate on Aug. 9 with an 11 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession. A family festival with food and live entertainment will run from Aug. 8-9. (815-725-7450)

AUGUST 16
THE FEAST OF MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Società Giovanile M.S. di Santa Caterina Villarmosa. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession. (Mario Saporito, 847-962-1251)
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. UDIENZA will run in conjunction with the Feast of San Rocco di Potenza. The feast is sponsored by the St. Mary of Sambuca Society. (708-751-2839)
THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI POTENZA at St. William Church in Chicago is sponsored by Congregazione di San Rocco di Potenza. It features an 11:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and a family festival with food and live entertainment. A Novena will run from Aug. 7-15. An anointing Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11. (Sal Aloisio, 773-551-2604)
THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI SIMBARIO at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Society of San Rocco di Simbario. It features a 9 a.m. procession with candle houses and a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and kissing of the holy relic of San Rocco, and a buffet dinner afterward for all those who participate in the procession. A Novena and anointing of the sick will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. (Bruno Bertucci, 312-446-0504)

AUGUST 30
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. DEL POZZO at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Società Maria SS. del Pozzo. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession featuring Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana and a reception afterward. A Novena will run from Aug. 21-29. (Anna Rubino, 708-878-9562)

SEPTEMBER 4-7
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. LAURETANA is sponsored by Congregazione di Maria SS. Lauretana di Altavilla Milicia. The celebration takes place in Niles on Church Street between Greenwood and Cumberland, on the south side of the Golf Mill Shopping Center. Festivities culminate on Sept. 6 with a procession at 9 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m., followed by processions with the Sicilian Band of Chicago leading up to the traditional Flight of the Angels at 5 and 8 p.m. A street festival with food, live entertainment and a carnival will run from Sept. 4-7. A Novena will run from Aug. 27-Sept. 3 at the society’s chapel in Chicago, with the final day on Sept. 4 at the feast. (Joe Camarda, 773-736-3766)

SEPTEMBER 13
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. INCORONATA at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago is sponsored by Club Maria SS. Incoronata e San Cristoforo di Ricigliano. It features an 11 a.m. Mass at which the birthday of the Blessed Mother will be celebrated, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a reception afterward. (Jim Distasio, 708-222-1200)

SEPTEMBER 20
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. DELLA CROCE at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Maria SS. Della Croce di Triggiano, Bari, Italy. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass in Italian, followed by a procession with a band and fireworks, and a reception afterward. A Novena will run from Sept. 11-19. (Pietro Latrofa, 630-673-2297)
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS ADDOLORATA at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park is sponsored by Società Maria SS Addolorata, Mola di Bari. It features a noon Mass in English and Italian, followed by a procession. A novena will run from Sept. 8-11 and 14-18. (773-625-4016)

OCTOBER 18
THE FEAST OF MADONNA DI BUTERRITO at Avalon Banquets in Elk Grove Village is sponsored by CI-AMA. It features a 1 p.m. Mass and procession, followed by a dinner dance. A Novena will run from Oct. 12-16 at Casa Italia in Stone Park. (Nancy Cometa, 708-278-8004)

NOVEMBER 15
THE FEAST OF SAN TRIFONE is sponsored by Società San Trifone di Chicago. It features a noon Mass at Casa Italia in Stone Park, followed by a luncheon at Pescatore Palace in Franklin Park. (Pat Specchio, 708-562-3113)

DECEMBER 5-6
THE FEAST OF ST. LUCY at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford is sponsored by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association. It features the traditional anointing of the eyes, as well as the blessing and distribution of the cuccia at the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Dec. 5, and at the 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. masses on Dec. 6. (815-965-2761)

DECEMBER 13
THE FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish & Shrine in Melrose Park is sponsored by the parish. It features a 10:30 a.m. Mass in Italian and English with special prayers and the traditional anointing of the eyes. (708-344-4140)