Tip Jar
Help keep this web site going.
You do not need a
PayPal Account.
Major credit cards accepted.
PayPal will give you this option.

************************

Special Contribution by:
J. Ricci
(Click on photos for a larger view.)

"St Mary is our family's patron saint. A million years ago, when my dad's family settled in Knightsville, long before there was a St Mary's Church, the statue of Madonna della Civita was housed in my grandparents living room. Day and night, people from the community would come to their home to worship her. This lasted a few years until a chapel was build across the street from the house.
Every year on St Mary's Day (technically July 21st), there is a procession that starts at St Mary's Church on Cranston Street. This is where The Madonna della Civita now lives. It winds it's way through the village and goes to the Chapel (which is now someone's house, so doesn't go inside any longer). Then back to the church. This is a big, big, big deal feast as many people are still from the hamlet of Itri, Italy where the miracle of the Madonna supposedly occurred. On the feast day, the neighborhood was filled with family and friends as if it were Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter and overflowed backyards or basements if the weather were inclement. There are big function tents in most yards today.
Years ago, when I was very young (long, long time ago), I remember that my father and uncles use to close their business every July 21st (they considered it a holiday), regardless of the day it fell on. Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, etc... it didn't matter if it was the busiest work day of the week, the store was closed every July 21st. Now it is celebrated on whatever Sunday is closest to the 21st. Just not the same.
Our family home has long been sold to a non family member and we no longer gather there. I do have a cousin who still invites all who cares to go for the day. We don't, but we do try to get down to the feast site for our annual doughboy and sausage and pepper sandwich fix. The spectacular fireworks display signaling the end of the feast.  It had often been said that St. Mary's always had the best!"

....J. Ricci

Festivals
(Click on each link.)

Special Contribution by:
C. Mathewson

"Aside from churches there are local organizations that have religious feasts as well. In Smithfield the Portuguese-American Club has The Feast of the Holy Ghost. It is usually held in August, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. I'm not sure of the date but you can add it to your list.
Seeing your lists of feasts made me think of my next door neighbor. His Father belonged to the Knights of Columbus, which leads to this childhood memory. One afternoon my friends and I were sitting around a picnic table in their back yard, the younger Brother of one of the kids wouldn't leave us alone. We finally shooed him away, and we mistakenly thought that was the end of the problem. Suddenly.....There was a loud. "WHACK!!!!!"The little Brother came back ,wearing his Father's K. of C. plumed hat, cape and most importantly a rather large K. of C. ceremonial sword. With which he brought down in the middle of the table that we were sitting around. Every one jumped up and headed for the safety of a nearby apple tree. Being the short fat kid, the only way I was going to get into that tree would be if the tree bent over and picked me up itself!!!!!That left me to circle my neighbor's house, with this pissed-off, pint -sized Zorro in hot pursuit!!! I made it to my house in one piece. He went home satisfied that he showed us big kids that he wasn't going to be chased away. If his
Father had come home and caught him there would have been Hell to pay! I can only imagine his Father's confusion as to where the grass stains and dirt had gotten on the inside of his cape. Being a little kid, 3/4's of the cape was dragging on the ground as he chased us around. This was something right out of a Little Rascals movie. You can't make this stuff up."

....C. Mathewson