Each year, more than three-dozen Italian patron saint celebrations grace the Chicago area. Kept alive by paesani from villages and cities across Italy, these events preserve some of the most cherished of our traditions.

Festivities range from simple religious services to solemn masses and processions to family festivals that last several days. But they all have one thing in common: devotion to the spiritual protectors of la bell'Italia. At press time, information was available on the following events. (From the May 2014 issue of Fra Noi)

MAY 4
THE FEAST OF SANT'AMATORE DI CELLAMARE at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by the Sant'Amatore Society. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession with fireworks and a reception afterward. A Novena will run from April 25 to May 3. (Frank DiNatale, 630-980-0752)

MAY 18
THE FEAST OF SANTA GEMMA is sponsored by the Santa Gemma Society (Lucca). It features a 3 p.m. Mass at St. Francis Borgia in Chicago, followed by a 5 p.m. dinner at the Mazzini-Verdi Club in Franklin Park. (Bruno Iscra, 847-965-1508)

THE FEAST OF ST. ELENA OF LAURINO is sponsored by the Devotees of St. Elena of Laurino. It features an 11 a.m. Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, followed by a luncheon at Pompei Restaurant. (Judi Campagna, 847-577-9648)

MAY 21
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS DELL'UDENZA at Banquets by Biagio in Chicago is sponsored by the St. Mary of Sambuca Society of Chicago. It features cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. (Donna Tagli, 708-751-2839)

MAY 24-25
THE FEAST OF SAN GIOVANNI BOSCO SS CROCIFISSO DI CIMINNA at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Società San Giovanni Bosco SS Crocifisso di Ciminna. Festivities culminate on May 25 with an 11:30 a.m. procession and noon Mass, followed by a family festival with food, live entertainment, a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and evening fireworks. A vespers service will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on May 24 in the Casa Chapel. (Tony Napoli, 847-537-3365)

JUNE 7-8
THE FEAST OF SS CROCIFISSO DI CIMINNA at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines is sponsored by Società SS Crocifisso di Ciminna. Festivities culminate on June 8 with a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and the traditional parade of horses, a family festival with food, live entertainment and evening fireworks. A vespers service at 6 p.m. on June 7 will be followed by live entertainment. (Frank Faraci, 847-577-8230)

JUNE 8
THE FEAST OF SANT'ANTONIO at St. Anthony Church in Chicago is sponsored by the parish. It features a 9 a.m. procession and 10 a.m. bilingual Mass, followed by a family festival with food, live entertainment and activities for children. (773-468-1200)

THE FEAST OF SANTA LIBERATA DI PIZZONE is sponsored by Società Santa Liberata di Pizzone. It features a 2:30 p.m. Mass at Divine Savior Church in Norridge, followed by a procession with Caliendo's Banda Napoletana, then a 6:30 p.m. dinner dance at Porretta's in Chicago. (Dominic Mancini, 773-792-3301)
JUNE 13
THE FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY at Our Lady Mother of the Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation Branch #439. It features a 7 p.m. Mass with the traditional blessing and distribution of bread, followed by a reception. (Anna Tamburello, 847-341-1847)

JUNE 14
THE FEAST OF SANT'ANTONIO at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago is sponsored by Gruppo Preghiera di San Pio. It features a 7:30 p.m. Mass with the traditional blessing of the bread. (Teresa Helfand, 773-763-0507)

JUNE 15
THE FEAST OF SANT'ANTONIO at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park is sponsored by the Shrine's St. Anthony Society. It features a 10:15 a.m. procession and 10:30 a.m. Mass in Italian and English, followed by the veneration of the saint's relic, traditional blessing of the bread, procession through the streets and a reception in the gymnasium. A Triduum will run from June 12 to 14. The saint's feast day on June 13 will be celebrated with a special Triduum at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception. (708-344-4140)

JUNE 29
THE FEAST OF SAN PIO at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago is sponsored by Gruppo Preghiera di San Pio. It features a 2:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a buffet dinner afterward. (Teresa Helfand, 773-763-0507)

JULY 10-13
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park is sponsored by the Shrine. Festivities culminate on July 13 with a 9 a.m. Mass in English and Italian at the Shrine, a procession to a noon field Mass and a second procession featuring traditional festa music. A street festival with live entertainment will run from July 10 to 13, and a Novena will run from July 4 to 12. Related events include the presentation of the banners at 7 p.m. on July 8 and the presentation of the roses at 6 p.m. on July 9. (708-344-4140)

JULY 12
THE FEAST OF SAN NICOLA DI BARI is sponsored by Associazione Regionale Pugliesi in America. It features an evening celebration aboard a ship on Lake Michigan, with bus transportation available from and to Casa Italia in Stone Park. (Joe DeBenedictis, 708-267-1701)

JULY 27
THE FEAST OF BEATO GIOVANNI LICCIO at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Società Beato Giovanni Liccio di Caccamo. Festivities culminate on July 27 with a noon Mass followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a family festival featuring live entertainment. A coroncina and Mass will be celebrated at Cappella Beato Giovanni in Chicago at 4:30 and 5 p.m. on July 20 and 7 and 7:30 p.m. on July 24 and 25. An appreciation dinner will be held at 7 p.m. at Porretta's Banquets in Chicago on July 25. (Tony Sapienza, 630-935-6998)

AUGUST 3
THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI VALENZANO at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Associazione San Rocco di Valenzano. It features a noon Mass, followed by a procession, family picnic and fireworks. (Frank De Frenza, 630-458-0452)
AUGUST 6-10

THE FEAST OF SAN DONATO at St. Donatus Church in Blue Island is sponsored by the parish. Festivities culminate on Aug. 10 with a 10 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession. A street festival with live entertainment will run from Aug. 6 to 10. (708-385-2890)

AUGUST 8-10
THE FEAST OF SAN LORENZO is sponsored by the Amaseno La Loggia #3 di Chicago Heights. Festivities culminate on Aug. 10 with an 11 a.m. Mass at the San Rocco Sanctuary in Chicago Heights, before and after which the statues of San Lorenzo and San Rocco will be carried in procession from and to the Amaseno Lodge. A street festival with live entertainment will run from Aug. 8 to 10. (708-755-2982)
AUGUST 9-10

FESTA DELLA FAMIGLIA IN HONOR OF SAN FRANCESCO DI PAOLA at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Società San Francesco di Paola. Festivities culminate on Aug. 10 with confessions at 9 a.m., a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago at 10 a.m. and a Mass at 11:45 a.m., followed by a family festival with food, live entertainment and a candlelight procession. A vespers service at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 will feature a torchlight procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago. A Triduum will run from Aug. 7 to 9. (Joe Bruno, 708-804-0630)

FESTA ITALIANA IN HONOR OF MARIA SS DELL'ASSUNTA in Crest Hill is sponsored by the American Italian Cultural Society. Festivities culminate on Aug. 10 with an 11 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with a marching band. A family festival with food and live entertainment will run from Aug. 9 to 10. (815-725-7450)
AUGUST 17
THE FEAST OF MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Società Giovanile MS di Santa Caterina Villarmosa. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession. (Mario Saporito, 847-758-1251)

THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI SIMBARIO at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago is sponsored by the Society of San Rocco di Simbario. It features a 9 a.m. procession with candlehouses and a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with Caliendo's Banda Napoletana, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and kissing of the holy relic of San Rocco, and a buffet dinner afterward. A Novena will be celebrated on Aug. 16. (Bruno Bertucci, 312-446-0504)

THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI POTENZA at St. William Church in Chicago is sponsored by Congregazione di San Rocco di Potenza. It features a noon Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a reception afterward. An anointing Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on Aug. 12. (Sal Aloisio, 773-551-2604)

AUGUST 24
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS DEL POZZO at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Società Maria SS del Pozzo. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession featuring Caliendo's Banda Napoletana and a reception afterward. A Novena will run from Aug. 15 to 23. (Vito LaGioia, 312-805-9757)

FESTA DI TUTTI I SANTI at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago is sponsored by the Shrine. It features an 11 a.m. Mass and procession, followed by a family festival with food, live entertainment and a bocce contest, gift shop tent, pictorial history of the Taylor Street neighborhood and "Pot of Gold" raffle. (312-421-3757)

AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS LAURETANA at Morton West High School in Berwyn is sponsored by Congregazione di Maria SS Lauretana di Altavilla Milicia. Festivities culminate on Aug. 31 with a candlelight procession at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by processions with the Sicilian Band of Chicago leading up to the traditional Flight of the Angels at 5 and 8 p.m. A street festival with live entertainment will run from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, and a Novena will run from Aug. 21 to Aug. 28 at the society's chapel in Chicago, with the final day of the novena being celebrated on Aug. 29 at the feast. (Joe Camarda, 773-736-3766)

SEPTEMBER 7
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS INCORONATA at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chicago is sponsored by Club Maria SS Incoronata e San Cristoforo di Ricigliano. It features an 11 a.m. Mass, followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a reception afterward. (Jim Distasio, 708-222-1200)

SEPTEMBER 14
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS ADDOLORATA at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park is sponsored by Società Maria SS Addolorata, Mola di Bari. It features a 3 p.m. Mass, followed by a procession. (773-625-4016)

SEPTEMBER 21
THE FEAST OF MARIA SS DELLA CROCE at Villa Scalabrini in Northlake is sponsored by Maria SS Della Croce di Triggiano, Bari, Italy. It features a 12:30 p.m. Mass in Italian, followed by a procession with a band and fireworks, and a reception afterward. A Novena will run from Sept. 12 to 20. (Anna Raimondi, 847-593-5196).

THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO DI MODUGNO is sponsored by Congregazione San Rocco di Modugno. It features a noon Mass at Casa Italia in Stone Park, followed by dinner dance at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. (Carlo DeBenedictis, 630-215-3846)

OCTOBER 19
THE FEAST OF MADONNA DI BUTERRITO at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison is sponsored by CIAMA. It features a 1 p.m. Mass and procession, followed by a dinner dance. A Novena will run from Oct. 13 to 17 at Casa Italia in Stone Park. (Nancy Cometa, 708-278-8004)

NOVEMBER 9
THE FEAST OF SAN TRIFONE is sponsored by Società San Trifone di Chicago.
It features a noon Mass at Casa Italia in Stone Park, followed by a luncheon at Nonna Graziella on the Casa grounds. (Pat Specchio, 708-562-3113)

DECEMBER 6-7
THE FEAST OF ST. LUCY at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford is sponsored by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association. It features the traditional anointing of the eyes, as well as the blessing and distribution of the cuccia, at the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Dec. 6, and the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. masses on Dec. 7. (815-965-2761)

DECEMBER 11-13
THE FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA at St. Lucy Church in Chicago is sponsored by the parish. It features a Triduum at 7 p.m. each night with special prayers and the traditional anointing of the eyes. (312-842-6115)

Source: Fra Noi