It was the Italians turn to shine.
The 70th annual Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan featured a float from the Diocese of Brooklyn, with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio aboard. Aside from its spiritual leader, there also were a number of notables who were part of the diocesan contingent that rode up Fifth Avenue.
Bishop DiMarzio, who was one of the concelebrants of the Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, joined several of his brother bishops on the reviewing stand outside the Gothic church that is undergoing a major restoration inside and out. As the diocesan representatives in the line of march neared the cathedral, the bishop, escorted by Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, left the clergy and hopped up onto the float.
They joined a festive group that included singer Stephanie Marie Hanvey, a finalist on American Idol, who serenaded the parade watchers with her renditions of “Alleluia” and “New York.” She alternated with Italian tenor, Sal Scatur, who performed a number of Italian arias and pop songs.
Also aboard were members of the staff of DeSales Media, who brought along TV actor Anthony Mangano, host of The NET’s City of Churches, and Laura DePalma, who made her debut last week as co-host of Ask the Doctor.
Also among the entourage was Brooklyn’s own Paulie Malignaggi, former International Boxing Federation light welterweight and World Boxing Association welterweight champion.
Other diocesan contingents in the parade included the Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, marching band and the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council from Dyker Heights, among others.
Everyone was there not only to celebrate the ethnic pride of the Italian people but also to pay tribute to the courage of Christopher Columbus, the Italian-born explorer who sailed under a Spanish flag and is credited as the man who discovered America in 1492.
There is some controversy surrounding Columbus’ claim and whether other groups such as the Vikings first set foot on American soil. But it was Columbus’ journeys that opened up the New World and were recorded in history as a turning point.
Europeans’ treatments of Native Americans has also been the source of some criticism. But to single out Columbus and his followers is to ignore the fact that present-day population patterns are the remains of migratory movements of peoples around the world for thousands of years.
The fact is that Columbus was a man of extraordinary courage who set off on the high seas not knowing where the voyages would take him. He was also a man of great faith, which has led some to believe he should be listed among the saints. The politically correct crowd will never allow that to happen.
On Fifth Avenue last Monday, there was one man carrying a sign that proclaimed “Happy Native American Day.”
But the day really was a celebration of the gifts that the Italian people have brought to America. An immigrant group that suffered much discrimination upon arrival on these shores, the Italians today can be proud of the contributions they have made to the arts, culture and the Church throughout the centuries.
The diocesan delegation in last week’s parade was one of the more festive groups that participated. If there was an award for happiness, joy and pure fun, it would have taken home the prize.