L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 B e l i e v i n g i n a n idea, dreaming o f e f f e c t i n g change, relying o n o n e ' s o w n c o n v i c t i o n s , a n d s t r i v i n g relentlessly to manifest them into reality – this, fundamen- tally, is what propelled mil- lions of immigrants to venture to the Americas and roll up their sleeves to carve out their fortunes from nothing. Yet, it is also the enduring determina- tion that continues to propel countless individuals world- wide, forsaking all to seek a better beginning, often at the expense of relationships, belongings, and even life itself, without any assurance of success. It's this very resilience that forged an intimate connection between Mother Cabrini and those she served. "We are bold or we die. That is how I learned to live in America." The trailer opens with this quote, set against a backdrop of sepia-toned dust, evoking an era of profound adversity that feels distant in time yet achingly familiar in its essence. Beneath the veneer of historical setting and attire lies a narrative that remains profoundly relevant, underscor- ing the timeless nature of human emotion, struggle, and resilience. Let's talk about this female epic, which began in the small town of Sant'Angelo Lodigiano in Lombardy and found its way to the heart of the United States, following the dreams and struggles of Italians seeking fortune in America. It's not just because the latest film by Alejandro Gómez Monteverde, a talented Mexican director inspired by Christian themes, which tells her story (1850-1917), premiered in Los Angeles, but also because there are several elements that connect Cabrini to L'Italo-Americano. Firstly, our newspaper's origins lie in that period, in those Why the story of Mother Cabrini resonates so deeply with us From the Editor immigrant communities that, amidst prejudice and hard- ship, forged a path, altering a seemingly predestined fate. Secondly, our newspaper was born precisely to give a voice to those who would otherwise have been excluded, and who, gradually, overturned their fortunes, greatly contributing to the progress of this nation. Thirdly, the heart of L'Italo- Americano beats in the history of Italian immigration, which continues even today. Fourthly, here in California, Italian missions and the church have always been closely connected to the community and initially served as a crucial interface for the newspaper. And fifthly, a few years ago, coinciding with the celebrations in the Lodigiano for Mother Cabrini, a race was organized in which runners wore T-shirts featuring Italian-American newspapers... including ours! Returning to the film, on March 8th (a date not chosen by chance), "Cabrini," about the story of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (a name she added in honor of Saint Francis Xavier, a missionary priest in the Far East), patron saint of immi- grants and founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, will be released in US theaters. In late 19th-century Italy, hundreds of thousands of Ital- ians left their homeland in search of a better life. Their dreams were not always fulfilled, and the consequences of the journey, integration, living, and working conditions were often extremely dramatic. She was asked to depart and dedi- cate herself to Italian immigrants, but upon arriving in New York, like them, she found herself with nothing: no home, no schools, no orphanages. There were many obstacles to over- come. Mother Cabrini did not give up, thanks to her unwa- vering faith, which led her to become the first American saint (she obtained US citizenship). But her story is also an intriguing lens through which to view the world of North American migration. Not only do her works matter – found- ing 67 institutions including schools, hospitals, and orphan- ages – but also her mission: she played a central role in the growth of the Italian community in the United States and in many other parts of the world. Mother Cabrini's pioneering action "helped change Amer- i c a f r o m t h e b o t t o m u p , b e i n g t h e v o i c e o f t h e m a n y migrants who were marginalized in America's society. She gave Italian migrants hope first and foremost, along with dignified reception, care for the sick, and progressive inte- gration into society with particular attention to women and the promotion of their dignity. She understood that the world was changing and that migratory flows would charac- terize the new society forming, anticipating what would later become the great Italian migration worldwide." This was expressed by Christian Di Sanzo, a congressman elected in North and Central America, at the opening of the exhibition "Mother Cabrini and the Pilgrim Angels" in Rome, curated by Meo Carbone, a prominent figure in the Italian communi- ty in Chicago. "In addition to material assistance," he recalled, "she contributed to integration through language courses, bureaucratic assistance, and by maintaining ties with families of origin. Her constant commitment against racial discrimination and for the improvement of women's conditions left a lasting imprint on the Italian-American community." It's essential to know her, in short, to under- stand a piece of our history. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2020 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003

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