By Richard Leto
This August, I visited my ancestral family village, Comune di Biccari, located in the Puglia region (Province of Foggia). On some days, I found myself likely walking the same narrow village passageways once traversed by my maternal grandparents, Aniello and Elisa (Basile) Lucera, who were Italian immigrants during the Great Arrival. Other days were spent breaking bread with distant family members in the village.
I traveled with my cousin, Michael D’Imperio, from Philadelphia, and we stayed in a family friend’s village house — a true medieval casa, reminiscent of a typical hamlet (borghi) — located near the town’s historic center and the mother church of Biccari.
This article first appeared in the October 2024 edition of ISDA’s monthly Italian American newspaper, La Nostra Voce. Subscribe here
This year marked my third consecutive visit to Biccari, and, as always, it included a stop at my distant cousin Marcello Lucera’s family olive oil business. Marcello, who is a third generation, proudly carries on the legacy business that’s celebrating its 100th year. And yes, each time, I’m lucky enough to bring home a few bottles of their incredible olive oil.
The history of my ancestral village mirrors that of many other hilltop towns scattered across Italy. Biccari sits at the crossroads of three regions: Puglia, Campania and Molise. Nestled among the Daunia mountains, it lies at the foot of Monte Cornacchia, the highest peak in the region. Just an hour’s drive east of Biccari, you’ll find the stunning Adriatic coast.
Its mother church, Maria SS. Assumption (in Italian: Chiesa Madre di Maria SS. Assunta di Biccari), is the focal point for worship in the town. On this recent trip of mine I had the pleasure to meet Don (Padre) Leonardo Catalano of the mother church. We were able to have several dinners with Father Catalano and share our mutual love of Biccari. Father Catalano is a true leader for the people in the village. At the novena mass of San Donato (the patron saint of Biccari), Father Catalano had me read the gospel passage (in English) to the congregation, a truly extraordinary experience for me.
Besides the novena mass, Michael and I witnessed and participated in the historic procession of San Donato, Biccari’s holy protector, which is the most significant event for its citizens.
Celebrated on August 7th, the festival includes a lively gathering in the main piazza and a solemn procession featuring the statue of San Donato and the silver arm relic (as shown in the photo above). According to historical accounts, the devotion to San Donato dates back to 1527, when a citizen of Biccari, after participating in the looting of Rome, retrieved the Saint’s arm from the catacombs and brought it back to the village. Like many other celebrations, the event also features evening concerts and fireworks.
For many of us with Italian American heritage, visiting Italy and experiencing the villages and festivals of our ancestors helps keep us connected to our Italian roots. Additionally, the festivals and saint celebrations that take place in Italian enclaves across the U.S. echo those of the motherland, strengthening our commitment to preserving our heritage and never forgetting our roots.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I was born and raised in the Italian enclave of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I currently reside in Columbus, Ohio. I’m an ISDA Order/Fraternal member who attended the Cleveland and Pittsburgh ISDA conventions. As a proud third-generation Italian American, I enjoy informal writing as a hobbyist regarding the Italian American experience. I am the grandson of Italian immigrants who emigrated to America during the Great Arrival and settled in South Philly.
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