By: Rose Parente

La Madonna della Civita Photo © by Rose Parente

Little Italy days was held on August 21 - 24, 2014 in the streets of Bloomfield, a neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA (also known as Little Italy). As always it was a huge success. There were many things to see and do and lots of food to eat.

One of the big events of the weekend is the annual Italian mass followed by a procession with the statue of the Madonna della Civita. The mass was celebrated by Father Michael Sedor of St. Maria Goretti parish. Following the mass members of the Madonna Della Civita Society, the I Paesani folk group and many of the faithful processed through the streets singing praises to the Madonna. The procession route was lined with people who come out to witness this long standing tradition. Part of this tradition consists of The Madonna being covered in a white cloth so that the faithful can place money on the Madonna as a gesture of faith and as a way of asking the Madonna for help. After the procession the statue remains outside of St. Maria Goretti Parish for all to praise and admire.

I have been doing this for many years and have told the story of the Madonna to many and it's amazing to see the different reactions from each person.