Moving tradition
Events
Tears well in Dominic Reppucci’s eyes when he talks about the longstanding traditions celebrated at the annual San Pellegrino Martire Festa.
In Campania, Italy, St Pellegrino’s feast day is celebrated on August 25 and in keeping with the summer timing, in Adelaide it is celebrated by the Altavilla Club in January.
Held for the 48th time, the public event attracted 4000 people across a full day of celebrations.
“San Pellegrino Martire is the patron saint of our village,” said Mr Reppucci who is club and festa president.
Adelaide Vicar General Fr Dean Marin and Fr Jeevan Gabriel SMM led the proceedings which began with a procession from Annunciation Church at Hectorville through local streets and accompanied by a Maltese band, religious associations and special guests.
At noon, the ‘Battenti’ (penitents dressed in white) left the Meals on Wheels Hall on Montacute Road, arriving at Hectorville’s Annunciation Church where solemn Mass was celebrated, accompanied by the Monteverdi Singers Choir.
“In Italy, the Battenti come to Altavilla from all the towns in the region to celebrate,” Mr Reppucci said.
“They are devotees of San Pellegrino. Some of them carry children who are disabled or sick. It’s really touching; most of them run barefoot on the hot pebble stones in devotion to the saint. Many say he has performed miracles.
“Here in the church, it’s a very touching moment when you see them crawling on their knees. I cry every time I start talking about it.”
Later in the day, live music performances and fresh Italian food cooked by local community groups, including traditional zeppole prepared by nonnas, highlighted the Italian community’s invaluable contributions to the local landscape.
“There are 12 big festas in South Australia,” said Mr Reppucci.
“Everyone is a volunteer here and we all help each other out because if we don’t, the traditions will collapse.”
Fortunately, the San Pellegrino Martire Festa has no problem drawing a large crowd.
“We’ve been lucky,” Mr Reppucci said, adding you don’t have to be Italian to attend.
“The last two years we’ve noticed a lot more young people coming to the festa, maybe not so much to the church part but that will come. At least they come to celebrate their Italian culture.”
Mr Reppucci thanked the Hectorville parish, St Joseph School Hectorville, volunteers, sponsors and Department of the Premier and Cabinet – Multicultural Affairs.
Every Friday and Sunday throughout the year the Altavilla Club welcomes the public to the Altavilla Irpina Sports and Social Club in Beulah Park for pizza and pasta nights.
“We are very welcoming of everyone. We love all the different cultures and nationalities.”
Another of Adelaide’s most treasured multicultural events, the Festa di San Giuseppe, will take place at Salisbury on Sunday
March 16.
The procession of the statue of St Joseph through the streets surrounding the St Joseph Italian Community Centre (304 Waterloo Corner Rd, Paralowie) will be followed by Mass at 10.30am and an afternoon and evening of entertainment, food, amusements and activities for all ages.
“This year’s Festa is a truly special occasion as it coincides with the Jubilee Year – a significant time of reflection, renewal and hope for both our community and the universal Church, of which St Joseph is the patron saint,” said Rocco Carpentieri, president of La Festa di San Giuseppe Association Inc.
