As Italian Catholics from throughout the diocese gathered for their annual heritage celebration, it was St. Therese Little Flower who led the way.
The Heritage Day is normally observed on the first Sunday of October, which this year was Oct. 1, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, popularly known as the Little Flower.
Hundreds of lay Italians, over a dozen priests, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappeto joyfully processed behind a statue of St. Therese down Broadway and Steinway Ave. in Astoria accompanied by a live band.
Originating in Most Precious Blood Church, the procession ended in neighboring St. Joseph, where Bishop DiMarzio celebrated Mass in Italian. During his homily, the Bishop spoke of the great example St. Terese left for the Church.
“St. Therese was very obedient,” the Bishop said. “That’s what her diary was about, obedience and love in the very little.”
He explained that the Our Father is the most difficult prayer because it forces the petitioner to say “Thy Will be done.”
“We have to do God’s will, and we don’t always want to do God’s will,” he said.
The life of St. Therese is a stellar example of obedience to God. Though she died at only 24 years old, she was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church for her insights. She wrote about how even the littlest of people can obtain holiness if they bring love to the smallest of actions.
In St. Therese’s life this meant that she accepted the station of perpetual novice, having to ask permission for all things. It also meant putting aside her ambitions of missionary and apostolic work for little daily sacrifices including in choosing to do more difficult chores and being kind to everyone, especially to those it was difficult for her to get along with.
St. Teresa holds a special place in Maria Castelli’s heart. A member of St. Luke’s parish, Whitestone, she prays a novena to St. Terese for the sake of her children.
She came to join the procession, Mass and party afterwards with her husband to put her faith into action and continue the traditions of her heritage.
Msgr. David Cassato, coordinator of the diocesan Italian Apostolate, said the celebration, especially the public procession, is an important tradition because it brings the Church to the people of the neighborhood. It is an introduction and a reminder that the Catholic Church is alive and joyful.
For Rosa Cerrato, from St. Finbar, Bath Beach, joining in the celebration was a way to fulfill God’s will in two ways. First, it is a way for the faithful to come together as a community.
“The Lord is uniting us and we have to be united, especially in times like these,” she said.
Second, it is a way to share in the joy of being a Christian. She said God wants His people to enjoy life and be happy. Her favorite part of the celebration was the singing during Mass.
“God loves singing,” she said. “In his realm, there is always singing.”
After the Mass, the celebration continued in the school gym with live music, dancing and Italian delicacies.
Priests joined the lay people to break bread, laugh and celebrate.