118 Times, & Counting

Tony Vitolo doesn’t move the way he used to, but in his old age he remains just as passionate about his heritage.

In 1898, like many other people from his small town of Atrani, Italy, Vitolo’s grandfather immigrated fto New Haven. He worked as a longshoreman and was a founding member of the The Santa Maria Maddalena Society.

More than a century later, Vitolo carries on his grandfather’s legacy as vice president of the society.

On Sunday, the society celebrated its 118th Anniversary with its annual Old World Traditional Procession through the Wooster Square neighborhood. The procession honors the patron saint of Atrani, Mary Magdalene, whose feast day is July 22.

Founded in 1898 as a mutual aid society to assist immigrants from Atrani adjust to American life, the society has has donated over $125,000 to charitable causes.

“As you walk in the parade, you show some pride,” said society Secretary Harry DeBenedet. ​“There’s no reason to think it’ll end anytime soon.”

The celebration kicked off in the morning with a liturgical mass at the Church of St. Michael, the first Italian-American church in Connecticut. After the mass, society members, parishioners and spectators gathered in front of the church, where a band played both the American and Italian national anthems.

The procession took off not long after. Accompanied by a police escort, eight members of the society paraded a statue of Santa Maria Maddalena through the neighborhood streets.

“The 118th anniversary means the torch has been passed to us, and hopefully we’ll be able to pass it on to our children,” Vitolo said. ​“Oddly enough, our organization has stayed pretty much where we started in Wooster Square. We purchased our building in 1905, and it’s still there.”

While the procession has continued without interruption for over a century, its form has changed drastically during the time.

In the early 2oth century, throngs of people would line the streets to catch a glimpse of the parade and pin money to the statue. As the society worked to provide services for Italian immigrants, the money would go to housing, English lessons, and burial arrangements. As Italian immigration decreased and the population successfully assimilated into American culture, such aid was no longer necessary. The parade previously included a feast, but expenses and city ordinances proved too taxing for its continuation.

Today, the organization focuses on both community events and philanthropy. It aims to preserve the traditions and heritage of its members’ ancestors and foster a sense of community through dinners and sporting events. It also provides financial assistance to the Santa Maria Maddalena Church in Italy and the society’s Italian sister organization in Atrani. The society has donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Salvation Army, Connecticut Hospice and Columbus House, among others charitable organizations in the broader community.

“The society has become a lot smaller over the years, because many people have passed away or moved away,” DeBenedet said. ​“Still, our strong framework allows us to do some pretty great things.”

As the society shrinks, the issue of the next generation’s involvement has become more pronounced. While the society does not have a program explicitly directed toward youth, it does attempt to appeal to them through its existing events.

Society President Andy Consiglio noted that the organization has coordinated trips to nearby cities for similar festivals, which can excite youth. It also attempts to involve younger members in its fundraisers.

DeBenedet shrugged off the threat of assimilation.

“In recent history there has been a reversal, where the younger people are becoming more curious about their roots and the contributions of their family,” he said. ​“Italian-Americans have a lot to be proud of.”

For Vitolo, whose grandfather was a founding member of the society, the passage of time is not daunting. He believes the festival will continue for years to come.

Recalling a trip he took to Atrani in 1999, Vitolo noted the emotions that the society — and festival — have brought him.

“Seeing the festival in Atrani brought tears to my eyes,” he said. ​“You can’t put that feeling into words.”