Faith and culture 'inseparable' to this NJ Italian Apostolate
For the Catholics of New Jersey and New York, Italian saint feasts are a summer staple. Known for their processions, Masses, music, zeppoles and sausage and pepper sandwiches, these lively festivals were initiated by southern Italian immigrants, most of whom made their way to the United States around the turn of the 20th century, in an attempt to k...
Italian Heritage Festival Highlights Clarksburg’s Unique History
Monday is Labor Day, a holiday that holds many meanings, including recognition for workers and the end of summer. In Clarksburg, Labor Day means one thing: Italian Heritage. For over 40 years, the Italian Heritage Festival has taken over the downtown of Clarksburg, WV. Starting on the Friday before Labor Day, and running through Sunday, visitors ca...
New Adoration chapel at Immaculate Conception Parish in Washington honors Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young adult who will soon be canonized
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati – who on Sept. 7 will become one of the first saints canonized by Pope Leo XIV – now has a special connection to Washington, D.C. On Aug. 9, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Juan Esposito blessed the new parish offices and the Frassati Chapel at Immaculate Conception Parish in Washington. The parish, which has become a have...
Preparations begin for La Festa Italiana in Scranton, PA
The Italian flag is flying and the excitement is building in the Electric City. La Festa Italiana is just days away. Banners, tents, chairs, and more. Crews have begun preparing for Scranton’s La Festa Italiana on Labor Day Weekend. This will mark the 49th year of the celebration. Volunteers could not be happier as the tradition of honoring the Ita...
Mid-Century Migration: The Italians of North Jersey
I am excited to share my next planned book! This project will focus on the immigration of Italians to North Jersey, post-WWII. After the 1924 Immigration Act was implemented, immigration from Italy was nearly eliminated. Discrimination against Italian immigrants continued throughout WWII. Every Italian was considered an enemy of the state. As a res...
Italians in America – Our Immigrant Stories: Instinct to thrive overcomes Great Depression, fire, and the hardship of discrimination
All four of Nick Cappelli Jr.’s grandparents are immigrants. Nick’s father, Nicholas Emidio Cappelli Senior’s parents are from the Marche region while his mom Dolores’s family is from Avellino and immigrated here circa 1905. Like so many other Italian immigrants of that time, Nick Seniors dad (Nick’s grandfather Emidio Cappelli), found housing with...
Rare, Italian bell installed in memory of longtime parishioner
Its been almost one year since a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Church in Erie (PA) passed away. She was involved in many different ways over several decades at the parish in Millcreek. But there was one thing she hoped for, yet never got to enjoy in person. So, her husband and son made sure it happened in her memory. Nicholas Marinelli...
The St. Bart's Festival in Scotch Plains (NJ) on Labor Day Weekend
The 51st annual Labor Day Italian Festival returns on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Scotch Plains, NJ. Hosted by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of UNICO, St. Bartholomew's Church, and St. Bartholomew's Academy, the festival has been an annual tradition honoring San Nicola di Bari, the patron saint of the town of Montazzoli, Italy, since 1974. The fe...
12th Annual St. Anthony’s Italian Festival in Glassboro, NJ
The vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of southern Italy will return to Downtown Glassboro on Saturday, September 13, 2025, for the 12th Annual St. Anthony’s Italian Festival, a beloved cultural celebration hosted in partnership with St. Anthony’s Mutual Aid Society. The Italian Festival is a showcase of Glassboro’s rich Italian-American heritage,...
Italian Festival to Benefit Veterans Set for September 13 at Manahawkin Elks, NJ
The Manahawkin Elks Lodge #2340 will host its first Italian Festival: A Slice of San Gennaro on Saturday, Sept. 13, offering a vibrant afternoon of food, music, and community in support of local veterans. The free public event will take place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge, located at 520 Hilliard Blvd., Manahawkin, NJ. Festiv...
'Rocky' statue coming to Philadelphia International Airport
The "Rocky" statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the city's most iconic attractions - and soon, travelers arriving in Philadelphia will be greeted by another. A new 10-foot-tall statue of the famed movie character, Rocky Balboa, will be installed at PHL. It's one of three original castings of the statue created by artist A. Thomas Sch...
Philadelphia agrees to return Frank Rizzo statue to monument committee, clearing way for relocation
The city of Philadelphia has agreed to return the Frank Rizzo statue to the Frank Rizzo Monument Committee. The statue of the former mayor and police commissioner was removed from public view overnight in June 2020 from outside the municipal services building after being vandalized during protests over police brutality that was sparked by the death...