
Mission Statement
The San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc. is a non-profit, religious and cultural organization founded in 1919 in Boston by Italian immigrants. The members of this organization are dedicated to continuing the tradition of honoring our patron, Saint Anthony of Padua by organizing and producing the annual “Saint Anthony’s Feast” in the North End of Boston.
In addition to encouraging devotion to Saint Anthony Of Padua: it’s mission includes preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; and strengthening it’s community by supporting both financially and morally the neighborhood’s other non-profit institutions that aim to improve the lives of it’s citizens.
| 2013 Executive Board |
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Dale Palma
President
Ralph Statuto
Vice President
Romano Schreiber
Secretary
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Sal DeRosa
Treasurer
Paul Martignetti
Financial Secretary
Jason A. Aluia
Trustee |
Joe DiGirolamo
Trustee
Phil Antonelli
Sergeant at Arms |
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Feast Committee
Jason A. Aluia
Phil Antonelli
David Capodilupo
Sal DeRosa
Joseph DiGirolamo
Paul Martignetti
Gerald Moretti
Dale Palma
Romano Schreiber |
Entertainment Committee
Sal DeRosa
Anthony DiStefano
Antonio Lopez
Anthony Lopez
Dale Palma
Roman Schreiber
Thomas Statuto |
Audit Committee
Jason A. Aluia
Joe DiGirolamo
Anthony DiStefano |
Our Founders
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Montefalcione Avellino
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Processione Festa Montefalcione
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History
The tradition and customs of honoring Saint Anthony of Padua in the North End of Boston date back to early part of the twentieth century and the large numbers of southern Italian immigrants that reached the shores of America at that time. Hundreds of thousands of poor European immigrants flooded the urban centers of northeastern United States. In Boston these immigrants settled in the North End. These immigrants brought with them the customs and traditions that they celebrated in their homeland for centuries. A group of men from the small mountain town of Montefalcione, Avellino, just east of Naples in the Campagnia region of Italy founded what is known as today as the San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc. Since 1919, as is done in Montefalcione on the weekend of the last Sunday of August the Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy Societies and the people of the North End celebrate the Feasts of Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy.
About Saint Anthony’s Feast®
Each year the people of the North End invite you to celebrate with them as they honor their patrons Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy with colorful parades, religious services, strolling singers, live entertainment and of course an abundance of great Italian and American food.
Begun in 1919, by Italian immigrants from the small town of Montefalcione in Avellino, Saint Anthony’s Feast has become the largest Italian Religious Festival in New England. Named the “Feast of all Feasts” by National Geographic Magazine, this authentic Italian street festival has it all for people of every age: parades, strolling singers, live entertainment, contests and religious services are held daily.
Visitors stroll the beautifully decorated streets sampling the best Italian street foods from 100 pushcarts enjoying arancini, sausage peppers & onion, quahogs, calamari, pizza, pasta and of course zeppole, cannoli and gelato. Guests can also browse the wide selection of souvenir keepsakes and mementos.
The highlight of the Feast is the ten hour procession of the Statue of Saint Anthony through the streets of the North End accompanied by devotees, numerous marching bands and floats. The Statue of the Saint returns to his chapel as confetti and streamers cascade from the rooftops.
Other events include: The Fillipo Berio Culinary Pavilion featuring cooking demonstrations and sampling from the North End and Boston’s most fabulous restaurant, an annual Open Air Mass in honor of Saint Anthony, including the veneration and individual blessing of the Relic of Saint Anthony and the distribution of blessed Saint Anthony Bread.
The magazine of Italian Food Wine & Culture said Saint Anthony’s Feast is “a spectacle not to be missed!” Saint Anthony’s Feast is held annually on the weekend of the last Sunday of August.
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