L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY, ��� MARCH��� 28, ��� 2013��� From the director A generations' hopeful path leads to an uncertain future for Italy Cari Lettori, Buona Pasqua! The arrival of the Easter holiday allows us to take time for the important things in life, like spending time with family and friends, and watching children hunt for hidden chocolate treasures in the green grass. Spring symbolizes rebirth and regeneration, a renewal of life, a sense of hope. That sense of hope is celebrated and remembered in this months' editions as we feature articles about the phenomenon of migration of young Italians searching for better work opportunities elsewhere. We look at statistics to establish immigration patterns and although the story of immigration is best explained by those who have gone through that path, the statistics also help us understand the present and possibly predict the future. It���s estimated that more than four million Italians came to the United States, between 1880 and 1920, making the Italian diaspora the largest source of American immigrants during that time. During the depression in the 1930s, thousands of impoverished Italians continued to emigrate in search of the American dream. For many of these immigrants, migration to the United States was an opportunity to work for a living along with the goal of saving enough money to return to a better life in their native country. There were reasons to return: family, friends and the notion that things would eventually get better at home. While a comparatively rare event today, Italians still immigrate to the United States and similarly, nowadays, young people leave their native Italy because they feel they stand a better chance of a remunerative career by working abroad. We can also argue that the phenomenon of migration observed in Italy today is normally more typical of developed countries: the exodus of the elite, la ���fuga dei cervelli��� or brain drain. Up to 60,000 young Italians leave the country every year; Italy is losing an entire generation, the young elite. In the 1950s and 1960s, unskilled workers with cardboard suitcases traveled from southern Italy over the Alps heading to northern European countries. Today, graduates with diplomas and laptops are fleeing the country . This elite has grown up with a national debt that has now reached ���2 trillion, along with a culture of corruption and nepotism. This generation is not the first to turn its futures away from its homeland, but in this current time of economic uncertainty in Italy and Europe in general, the loss of this small, but important generation could result in delayed recuperation for Italy. Given that prospect, it is no wonder that Italy fears today���s disillusioned youth will never return home. Despite that fear, Italy will once again be a country that a youthful generation can look to for its future and those that choose to immigrate elsewhere should always remember, appreciate and celebrate all things that make Italy great. Buona Pasqua! Con affetto, Easter in Italy ��� Celebration of spirituality and tradition Continued from page 1 What is believed to be the oldest Good Friday procession in Italy is in Chieti, in the Abruzzo region. Here, a choir accompanied by 100 violins performs Saverio Selecchy���s Miserere while walking through the city. The ritual has been repeated for over 200 years, and is very moving. In some areas of the Liguria region, Good Friday is characterized by a procession in which the cross is orizontally oriented. The traditions goes back to the time of naval battles against Turkey, during which all the crosses ador- ning the ships were turned, so that Turkish, considered misbelievers, could not see Christ���s face. Monte San Pietrangeli, in the Marche region, features a reenactment of the process, passion and crucifixion of Christ, which starts every year at 9pm and sees the involvement of over 200 actors. In Porto Recanati instead, you can experience the procession of Bara di Notte, in which a five meters tall coffin is carried by twelve fishermen who wear no shoes, followed by several religious confraternities wearing L���Italo-Americano their traditional vests. Only in Nocera Terinese, Calabria, you can find the ���vattienti��� (flagellants). This group of votaries walks in the streets, each of them whipping himself, enduring the pain and suffering of religious sacrifice in the name of spiritual cleansing. This practice originated in Europe centuries ago, after the Black Death, but has never been fully approved by the Catholic Church. Enna, in Sicily, has a large procession on Good Friday, with more than 2,000 friars dressed in ancient costumes walking through the streets of the city. In Trapani, also in Sicily, the Good Friday procession, Misteri di Trapani, lasts 24 hours. Sardinia region has also a lot to offer in terms of unique practices; here, because of Sardinia���s long association with Spain, some Easter traditions are strongly linked to the Spanish Semana Santa. On Good Friday the statue of Christ is carried from the Misericordia Church of Alghero to the Cathedral, where it is placed on the altar. Then the procession of the mysteries and afternoon solemn mass, called missafugi-fugi, take place in the Cathedral. Nine children carry a plate; eight of them contain hammers, pincers and bands, while the last one is empty, waiting for the nails that will be removed from Christ���s cross. During the night procession, pilgrims and the brothers carry lit candles wrapped in red paper called farols, which also cover the street lights, creating a mysterious atmosphere. But the most popular ritual is with no doubt the Via Crucis in Rome. In this Good Friday liturgy, the fourteen ���stations of the cross��� are marked, each signifying a part of Christ���s passion and death. The Pope celebrates the Stations of the Cross with a procession that starts form the Colosseum. Pilgrims carry a wooden cross around each ���station���, and for part of the way the Pope might himself take the cross. At each station a brief meditation and prayer is offered in different languages. Except for certain situations, the procession ends on the Palatine Hill, where the Pope gives his blessing to the participants. Priests��� vestments for any Good Friday liturgy are colored purple, except for the Bishops and the Pope who wear red. All statues and crosses in churches will have been covered in purple or black cloth, and remain so until Easter Sunday. If you can���t take part to the procession in person, you can follow this incredibly suggesting ceremony live on TV. If you���re traveling to Italy, whether you���re religious or not, and whether you���re a Catholic or not, Good Friday���s traditions are one of the most memorable things you���ll ever see, anywhere in the peninsula you are. PAGE��� 25 mar. 28, thurs.-Holy thursday, St. Peter's italian Church. Mass of the Last Supper 7:00 pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. mar. 28, thurs.-the Garibaldina Society Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. The Garibaldina Society Women���s Extension cordially invites you to the Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. Cocktails 4pm, Dinner 5pm sharp!, Dancing 6-8pm. Pasta dinner includes Salad, Pasta, Sausage, Glass of Wine & Dessert. Dancing to the music of Dennis Le Pron & The Time Machine Band. Dress Casual. $10 Members- $12 Guests. For reservations: Jean Giacomelli (626) 281-6639. mar. 29, Fri. -Good Friday , St. Peter's italian Church. Way of the Cross 3:00 pm, Liturgical Services 7:00 pm and Adoration of the Cross. mar. 29, Fri.-the Original Roadhouse Grill Fundraiser in honor of the Officers��� and in support of their families of Riverside Police Department Fallen Officer Michael Crain and Injured Officer Andrew Tachias. The Original Roadhouse Grill (3838 Tyler St., Riverside, CA), owned and operated by Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti, will be donating every dollar earned that day to the RPOA Assistance Fund. Donations will also be accepted. Buffet style lunch and dinner in tents in the parking lot. For more information (951) 784-1034. mar. 30, Sat.-Holy Saturday, St. Peter's italian Church. Confessions 10:00 am��� 12:00 pm. Liturgical Services 7:30 pm mar. 31, Sun. - easter Sunday, St. Peter's italian Church. Masses: 9:30 am (English); 11:00 am (Italian); 6:00 pm (English). apr. 1, mon.-Fondazione italia K-12 Language Grants Application Deadline. For information and application, please contact Hilary Stern at (310)739-9350 or by email at hstern@fondazione-italia.org. You may also contact th Education Office of the Italian Consulate General in San Francisco directly at (415) 292-9203 or ufficioscolastico.sanfrancisco@esteri.it apr. 6, Sat.-POint (Pursuing Our Italian Names Together genealogy group) Chapter #3 of Northern California. Lunch at San Rafael Joe's in San Rafael CA. Jeanne Torre will be speaking on "Finding My Roots in Italy." Jeanne has travelled to Italy many times pursuing her family history and has received dual citizenship. Social hour 11 a.m. Please contact Dot Denko at 415-382-8090 for lunch reservations. apr. 6, Sat.: Grandsons of italy in america Meeting at Victorio���s Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. apr. 7, Sun.-trentino Club of Southern California Spring gathering at Portofino Italian Restaurant (651 W. Whittier Blvd, La Habra, CA 90631). Sunday lunch 11:30am-2:30pm. Cost is $25. For information and reservations, call or email Ann: (714) 775-6003 or (714) 588-5135, anndepierro@hotmail.com apr. 7, Sun.- Feast of madonna della Stella at St. Peter's italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 818246-5749 april. 8, mon.-associazione Pugliese del Sud California Dinner Meeting. 6pm mass followed by dinner and meeting at Casa Italiana. Dinner is $15 per person. For information call Mike Foschetti (323) 257-0302. apr. 10, Wed.- St. anthony dinner meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. apr. 13, Sat.-Families of italian Lineage Bus Trip to L.A. Museum to see the SHUTTLE, ENDEAVOR + IMAX. This is an historic event to see the Endeavor. Cost of Bus is $15.00/Members, $20.00/Non-Members. Entrance fee is $5.25. For information contact Venus at (949) 363-5348. apr. 14, Sun.-Santo Padre Pio Society- Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter���s Italian Church (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles), 10:30 a.m. For information please call President Maria Bruno at (818) 241-4672. apr. 14, Sun. ��� mother Cabrini Chapel & Library (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). Open House, 9 am to 1 pm hosted by the San Fernando District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. apr. 14, Sun. - iCF mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812.

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