Tomorrow, Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 2:30 PM, a historically significant event for the Italian community in New York and for our country will take place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. For the first time, a Mass in Italian will be celebrated inside this majestic and iconic place of worship, with the presence of prominent institutional figures. Among the attendees will be Italy’s Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, and the Consul General of New York, Fabrizio Di Michele.
The Mass will be officiated by Don Luigi Portarulo, an Italian priest at the Cathedral and a key figure within the Italian community in New York. The event has already garnered the attention of hundreds of people and promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with meaning not only for Italians in New York but also for Italy itself.
The decision to celebrate a Mass in Italian at St. Patrick’s Cathedral represents a recognition of the importance of the Italian community in the United States and its contribution to the history of New York. In a place that has witnessed the evolution of a city and a nation, this moment strengthens the bond between two cultures, celebrating Italian roots and values within a symbol of American Catholic faith.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral has a long history that is inextricably linked to the Catholic community of New York, originally composed largely of immigrants, many of whom were Italian. This event is not just a religious moment but also a tribute to the long tradition of Italian emigration that helped shape the cultural identity of New York.
This celebration fits into a broader context of recognition and respect for the Italian contribution to the United States. In this sense, tomorrow’s event represents a fundamental milestone in a historical journey that embraces not only the local Italian community but the entirety of our nation, further strengthening the dialogue between Italy and the United States. The Italian Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is destined to become a symbol of the deep connection between the two nations and of the role that our culture continues to play globally.
During the celebration, a particularly touching moment will be offered by the children of the Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi in New York, who will perform a liturgical song in Italian. Their presence highlights the importance of passing on Italian culture and language to new generations, creating a bridge between past and future, between Italian roots and life in the Big Apple.
