Evviva la festa!

Each year, more than two 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.

SEPTEMBER 27
THE FEAST OF SAN PIO at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Melrose Park is sponsored by I Fedeli di Padre Pio. Festivities begin with a blessing of the statue outside the church at 9:30 a.m. and a Mass inside the church at 10:30 a.m., followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and family festival. (Pete Camaci, 630-217-7415)

OCTOBER 3
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS. DELLA CROCE is sponsored by Maria SS. Della Croce di Triggiano, Bari, Italy. It features a 1:30 p.m. Mass and procession at St. Philip Church in Addison followed by a 5:30 p.m. dinner at The Empress Banquets in Addison. A 7 p.m. Novena will run from Sept. 18-26 at Casa Scalabrini in Northlake. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the feast. (Rocco Scavo, 630-596-7414)

OCTOBER 4
THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Melrose Park is sponsored by the parish. Check the October calendar for details. (708-344-4140)

OCTOBER 18
THE FEAST OF MADONNA DI BUTERRITO at The Empress Banquets in Addison 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. 13-16 at the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park. (Nancy Cometa, 708-278-8004)

NOVEMBER 8
THE FEAST OF SAN TRIFONE is sponsored by Società San Trifone di Chicago. It features a 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, followed by a luncheon at a location to be determined. (Pat Specchio, 708-562-3113)

NOVEMBER 13
THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCES CABRINI at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Melrose Park is sponsored by the parish. It features a 7:30 p.m. Mass. (708-344-4140)

DECEMBER 12-13
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. 12 and at the 13 and 10:30 a.m. masses on Dec. 7. (815-965-2761)

DECEMBER 13
THE FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Melrose Park is sponsored by the parish. Check the December calendar for details. (708-344-4140)