Italy halts loans to Minneapolis Institute of Art following dispute over 'Doryphoros' sculpture
Italy's Culture Ministry officially has suspended art loans to the Minneapolis Institute of Art following disputes over the 1st century Roman sculpture "Doryphoros." Italian authorities believe the statue, which originated in the south of Naples, was illegally excavated in the 1970s. Mia said it purchased it for $2.5 million in 1986 from art dealer...
America’s First Italian Bishop
In 1817, when the Italian–born Father Joseph Rosati arrived in St. Louis, he found a ramshackle church, a windowless log cabin for a rectory, and 2,500 people disinterested in religion of any sort. On the best of days, that would fail to cheer a missionary’s heart. But this wasn’t just any day. Rosati had come to St. Louis to prepare the church for...
The Mona Lisa Is Coming To The North Loop. Sort Of.
A meticulously-crafted facsimile of the famed Mona Lisa is coming to the Italian Cultural Center in the North Loop on April 26th. It was painstakingly created by world renowned Minnesota native Mark Balma, using the same techniques and materials that Leonardo da Vinci used in the 16th century to create the original, such as Oil of Spike Lavender an...
Omaha’s Little Italy working to achieve ‘Creative District’ certification
Little Italy has a rich history. It’s where Anna Venditte Diederich’s family settled. It’s home to the Santa Lucia Festival, which is celebrating its 100th year.“To be here knowing that our ancestors and my grandma was here at the beginning is such … can’t describe it,” said Diederich. This identity is a part of what makes Little Italy a candidate...
A Catholic nun’s discovery of water called the ‘miracle in the mountains’
A lot of good things happen in the Colorado outdoors: hiking, camping, spending time with family and even a miracle. Chances are you’ve seen the white statue on top of the hill overlooking Interstate 70. It is the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and it’s on the property that belongs to the Mother Cabrini Shrine. On that property is where the “...
Mancini’s quest to honor Italian Americans 4 years after toppling of State Capitol Columbus statue
It’s been empty since June of 2020 and the statue that once stood atop the granite pedestal is packaged away somewhere near the State Capitol. St. Paul restaurateur Pat Mancini knows that it is unlikely the 10-foot-tall bronze depiction of Christopher Columbus will ever return to its previous perch. But he wonders if the time has come to do somethi...
The "Doriphorus of Stabia" remains in Minneapolis, but only for now
The return by the United States of the statue of the 'Doriphorus of Stabia' has become a court case. Smuggled clandestinely, the finest copy of the original by Polyclitus, it is on display at a Minneapolis museum. A lengthy court case ordered its international rogatory, but U.S. authorities to date have done nothing. The statue remains there and no...
Colorado has its own Statue of Liberty reminding us to welcome immigrants
For more than a year, Denver and Colorado have welcomed more than 38,000 migrants in search of refuge from the turmoil in their homelands in South and Central America. In the core sense of the word, “refuge” evokes hope, comfort, and safety. This is what Denver, some non-profit charities, and the State of Colorado have provided in the absence of co...
Chapel Housing First-Class Padre Pio Relic to Open in Kansas This Weekend
A foundation dedicated to spreading devotion to St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, is set to open a chapel in rural Kansas this weekend that will permanently host a first-class relic of the saint. Luciano Lamonarca, the founder of the Saint Pio Foundation, told CNA that the plan is to inaugurate five chapels dedicated to the saint,...
Golden’s Mother Cabrini Shrine prepares for Lent, new movie
Even though it’s only the beginning of February, Christians worldwide are already preparing for Easter. The season of Lent — 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving — begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14. It will last until Easter on March 31. For the first time in five years, the Mother Cabrini Shrine near Golden is offering a Lenten series at 6...
Former newspaper editor turns to Italian-American family life for novel idea
When Littleton local John Rosa was a child, he used to write comic books. He also wrote for his student newspapers in middle and high school. He went on to become a journalist, even working as an editor at Colorado Community Media. Now, Rosa has come full circle back to fiction. He’s taken his creative mind and writing skills to the next level in h...
Little Italy Midwest launches with free membership
Little Italy Foundation launches Little Italy Midwest and offers free memberships for all Italian Americans living in the Midwest. The Little Italy Foundation was founded in 2021 by founder Jennifer Caito-Ellingson for the purpose of saving the Little Italy enclave in the Des Moines Iowa area. However, in her leadership with other Italian American...