America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Elena Luongo came to the United States 20 years ago from Italy and now feels a sense of cultural and emotional pride for two countries, especially on Columbus Day.
“I’m still very, very deep in my Italian culture although I moved here 20 years ago,” said Ms. Luongo, who is a resident of Queens. “At the same time, it’s amazing how you get to love another country and you’re still intact with your love for you native country. It’s beautiful.’’
Ms. Luongo attended the 39th Annual Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and was among the hundreds of thousands of people lining Fifth Avenue in Manhattan for the 72nd Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 10.
“The Mass was simply beautiful and amazing,” she said. “You can tell the feeling of Italian heritage and pride. I was really moved by the entire celebration. What I particularly enjoy about the Mass is at the end they sing the two national anthems. That’s very moving and emotional for me.
“I enjoy seeing the pride and all the joy of Italians coming together to express how they feel about their culture.”
Cardinal Dolan opened the Mass in Italian, and the first reading and some hymns also were in Italian. Msgr. Peter Vaghi, the grandson of Italian immigrants and pastor of the Little Flower parish in Bethesda, Md., served as the homilist.
“We gather here this morning for the 39th Columbus Day Mass as we do each year from all over the world to evoke the memory and mission of Christopher Columbus, whose first name means ‘Christ bearer’—one chosen to spread the word of God,” Msgr. Vaghi said.
Msgr. Vaghi continued to discuss the life of Columbus and how he opened the door to this new world for the faith and immigrants, including the priest’s grandparents who came to Ellis Island from Italy.
“As he discovered us, we now rediscover him on this Columbus Day,” Msgr. Vaghi said. “His mission brought Jesus and his Gospel to a people who never heard of the good news in this hemisphere.’’
Msgr. Vaghi later spoke at length about the New Evangelization, something taken to the forefront by St. John Paul II in an apostolic letter marking the Fifth Centenary of the Evangelization of the New World. Pope Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis have continued what St. John Paul II started.
Msgr. Vaghi said the new evangelization will require risk, adventure and patience, saying faith is not a one-time experience and requires encouragement and constant growth in helping others. He added the denial of our faith could lead to the loss of our deepest identity in God
“That may not happen here, friends, if each and every one of us from this Columbus Day forward seizes the challenge of New Evangelization, a new discovery of faith and sharing of the faith, a recouping and sharing of our Catholic values after the example of Columbus to each and every person we meet,” Msgr. Vaghi said.
Cardinal Dolan delivered the closing prayer before the playing of the national anthems of Italy and the United States.
“Thanks be to God for this magnificient celebration. Thanks be to God for bringing joy to this Columbus Day celebration,” Cardinal Dolan said.
Following a break after the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Dolan stood on Fifth Avenue in front of St. Patrick’s to greet marchers and dignitaries in the parade. Robert LaPenta, founding general partner of Aston Capital Partners, served as grand marshal.
There were floats, bands and an estimated 35,000 people and more than 100 groups participating with many showing their Italian pride by waving Italian flags and wearing the Italian colors of red, white and green.
Bob Weitzman, state deputy for the Knights of Columbus, attended Mass before marching again with his fellow Knights. He recalled last year’s march up Fifth Avenue when they received a warm welcome from people watching the parade.
“The parade is a festivity of fun and adventure,” said Weitzman, who marched with an estimated 100 Knights of Columbus. “It’s great to be with our fellow New Yorkers, people from New Jersey and being among Catholics and the people from Italy. It’s just wonderful.
“We have a great melting pot in New York State and this is a wonderful way of showing it.”
