Tag Archives: Our Lady of Pompeii

For the second year running, the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will stage its Mary and Christmas concert on Dec. 7 in the McLaughlin Theater at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago while renovation progresses as part of Pompeii’s “Shining Brightly” campaign. Maestra Carling FitzSimmons will lead the shrine chorale and orchestra in a program of familiar Yuletide favorites and classics. Music will range from Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” to Mack Wilberg’s majestic arrangement of “O Holy Night,” as well as a host of timeless melodies of the season. The concert will feature performances by baritone Anthony Rago; …

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is inviting current and former parishioners to purchase a paver for placement in the Shrine’s Garden of Remembrance. “If you’ve ever had a special moment in this sacred place, if you’d like to honor a loved one or commemorate a special date, please consider being a part of our Garden of Remembrance,” Shrine Rector the Rev. Richard Fragomeni says. The garden is located south of the Holy Family statue, and 100 bricks are already installed. With every 100 bricks sold, another installation will take place. A 4-by-8-inch brick costs $250 and is customizable …

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii’s annual Mary & Christmas concert was streamed live this year. The event featured performances by John Vincent, Josie Falbo, Anthony Rago and the Rev. Richard Fragomeni, accompanied by a chamber orchestra and the William Ferris Chorale, all under the direction of Maestro Paul French. The musical scores of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone were celebrated and plenty of timeless Christmas songs were featured. Those who missed the live event can view it online through Jan. 6. For tickets, click here.          

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago was filled to capacity on June 3 for the ninth annual Festa della Repubblica hosted by Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo. After the Mass, a parade featuring the flags of Italy’s regions and the banners of local organizations made its way through the Taylor Street neighborhood to the Christopher Columbus Monument in Arrigo Park, where speeches were made, and a petition was signed to preserve the names of Balbo Street and the Balbo Monument. Participants returned to the shrine for a street festival featuring Italian music, sandwiches for purchase and a …

  The sun shined brightly on the 2016 Columbus Day Parade, which attracted one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds in recent memory. The weather was glorious and the spectators stood five deep along State Street all the way from Monroe to Wacker. Buses filled with volunteers and parade goers left the grounds of Casa Italia in the early morning for the Mass, with a second wave departing later in the morning and heading directly for the parade. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii was filled to capacity for the Mass, the altar was gorgeous with bouquets of flowers, …

by Mary Shimandle On December 3, 2011, 300 people gathered for an exquisite Italian buffet provided by Piccolo Sogno Restaurant and enjoyed the sonic splendor of an old-fashioned Christmas concert, resonating throughout the acoustical jewel that is the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Church on the West Side of Chicago. Welcomed back for the 11th annual Mary and Christmas was the incomparable William Ferris Chorale, under the direction of Maestro Paul French, in a program of familiar and glorious Christmas favorites. Family and friends delighted in an event of music that celebrated the Italian cultural heritage (Choruses from Gian …