By Fr. Michael Barone
One defining characteristic of the Italian and Italian-American identity is our ongoing dedication to practicing the Culto dei Morti, or the veneration of (respect for) the dead. This practice, an ancient mix of the spiritual, emotional and cultural, is not just evident among Italians on All Souls Day (the Festa dei Morti) on November 2, or its surrounding Ottavario, or eight days. It truly spans the whole year.
Anthropologist and teacher at a university in Milan, Angela Biscaldi, stated: “We are taught from childhood that culture began at the moment in which man started to bury the dead, showing us the idea that there is life after death.” We know that following the beliefs and customs of ancient civilizations, came the coming of Christ, what He taught about death and eternal life, and the development of the Church’s ceremonies.
Space constraints do not allow for a full explanation, but we can summarize this by recalling the Four Last Things (what the Italians call the Quattro Novissimi): Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Christ’s own Death on the Cross redeemed mankind, and His Resurrection allowed the dead who had died in the state of grace, to enter Heaven.
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This eternal life of happiness in Heaven would be possible for those baptized, the sacrament through which the person not only entered the Church, but by which the soul was cleansed from original sin, and by which the body became a temple of God, wherein He would continue to dwell in the soul, as long as it did not fall into serious sin. As St. Paul wrote:
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His Death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” (Romans 6:3-6)
The Church from the very beginning has honored the bodies of its dead with Christian burial, and had Mass celebrated for the repose of the souls of the deceased, for their quick release from Purgatory should they be there. Bodies were given a dignified burial in the catacombs, later reflected in mausoleums — far more common in Italy than ground burial, and still a preference among Italians and Italian-Americans.
The importance of family, respect and honor have always strongly defined Italians and Italian-Americans, by no means stopping with death. It is very much seen in the elaborate flower arrangements ordered for the funeral home and the church, candles lit, prayers said, Masses offered, food sent to the bereaved family’s home, and assiduous attendance at wakes and burials.
Some practices of yesteryear, such as an accompanying band at the funeral rites, hired mourners, and wearing black for a year or the rest of the survivor’s life (depending on the relationship with the deceased) and staying at home to mourn, in lutto, have virtually disappeared. But the strongest and most visible aspect of the Culto, or respect for the dead, continues: the visit and upkeep of the cemetery.
This was such an important concern among Italians newly arrived in the U.S. that some Little Italy’s, like Buffalo, established (or tried to establish) Italian cemeteries very early on. Buffalo’s St. Anthony of Padua Church, began in August 1891. The Corriere Italiano, the community’s main newspaper, reported in April 1898 on the effort to already secure land for the camposanto, (one of the Italian words for cemetery, literally ‘holy field’).
In other areas, Italians had designated sections of larger cemeteries, or were simply dispersed throughout, like the various ethnicities represented among the deceased. Their graves were distinguished by the good order and cleanness, candles and vigil lamps, flowers and sacred images as well a picture of the deceased, attributes continuing to this day.
It was precisely to ensure a dignified burial for oneself and loved ones, that newly-arrived immigrants founded or joined congreghe and mutuo soccorso — mutual aid — societies. The dues would allow for a decent funeral. Many graves, in fact, would reflect the deceased’s membership in these societies. Today’s life insurance policies and other benefit programs reflect yesterday’s mortuary funds and burial assistance.
Many Italian-Americans, like in their ancestral homeland, would and do pay weekly visits to their loved ones on Saturday mornings or Sundays after Mass. Besides this, and flowers planted or placed and the graves cleaned regularly, special visits were made to decorate for Christmas and Easter, bringing a blessed palm on Palm Sunday, for All Souls Day, and for birthdays and anniversaries — a card left, a rosary hung, a tear shed, and a prayer whispered.
When celebrating the Festa dei Morti, All Souls Day, on November 2, let us continue to pray for our deceased loved ones, to visit and take care of their graves, to tell their stories to the younger generations, and to pass on our Italian-American heritage in this very important and meaningful way.
Riposino in pace — May they rest in peace!
Fr. Michael C. Barone, a native of Buffalo, NY is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark where he serves as chaplain of Catholic Cemeteries, and a member of the ISDA.
