As the weather finally begins to warm up, it is a reminder that feast season is finally here!

There was a time when you could attend an Italian feast in New Jersey almost every weekend once spring arrived. Now things have changed a bit. However, many are taking up the charge to bring back feasts that ceased long ago. And it begins next weekend.

Madonna del Sacro Monte

Every year on the third Sunday of May, at Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New Jersey, a Solemn High Mass with Gregorian chant is celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Sacro Monte of Novi Velia, Salerno. Following Mass there is a grand procession on the monastery grounds with the statue of Our Lady, Her canopy and authentic cinte (Italian candle-houses), all accompanied by an Italian Feast Band. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Sacro Monte of Novi Velia, crowned by pontifical decree in 1889, rests atop Mount Gelbison in the town of Novi Velia in the Cilento region of the Province of Salerno, Italy.

The revival of the feast for Madonna del Sacro Monte is due to the ongoing effort of Comm. Avv. Prof. Patrick A. DiPaula O’Boyle, Esq. Pat has brought this feast back to life and every year it is better!

The schedule of events includes:
Thursday, May 16th 7pm: Triduum Novena
Friday, May 17th 7pm: Triduum Novena
Saturday, May 18th 11:30am: Solemn high mass & grand procession
Saturday, May 18th 6pm: Angelus, Rosary, closing devotions & benediction

All events will take place at Holy Face Monastery off Rt. 3 East in Clifton. For more information, check out the official Madonna del Sacro Monte website.

Madonna della Fontana & Arcangelo San Michele

La Societa Madonna della Fontana e Lo Spilingese Social Club are hosting their 50th annual feast of Madonna della Fontana & Arcangelo San Michele. A long-time champion of this event is Cav. Prof. Eric Lavin.

The Sanctuary of Madonna della Fontana is set in an ancient hermit cave near the town. The cult of Madonna of the Fountain begins in the early 1900s. The little church was built in 1920 in the same place where, as local people say, a woman found a statue of a Virgin Lady by following instructions she received in a dream.

The schedule of events includes:
Thursday, May 16th 7pm: Triduum Novena
Friday, May 17th 7pm: Triduum Novema
Saturday, May 18th 8:00 – midnight: Novena, Benediction, Rosary, and Prayer

For more information, check out the Our Lady of Mount Carmel website.

These are just the first two of many more feasts to come this summer. Are you working to restart a long-gone feast? Are you looking to expand your current feast? I recommend you join the Keep the Traditions Alive Facebook group. I truly believe we are experiencing a renaissance of our ethnicity and our heritage. Make sure to play your part!