SAINT NICHOLAS of TOLENTINE PROCESSION HISTORY
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church began as a mission church ministering
to the large number of Italian immigrants coming into Philadelphia in the
late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
For all of the these people, it was a new world, a new culture, a new
language and a new church.
How to adjust, earn a living and raise children in this new world was a
way of life few of us have experienced.
What they did have was a continuation of their faith in the Catholic
Church.
They were able to hear mass and receive the sacraments in their own
language, first at Our Lady of Good Counsel near 8th and
Christian Streets and then, when the Italian population kept moving
further and further south from Market Street, at St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Church.
They did one other thing. They started Societies to honor the patron
saints from their home towns in Italy and , each Sunday, from June to
August, the various Societies with their families, friends and neighbors
processed through the streets of the parish carrying baskets of flowers
and large candles, saying prayers (many in bare feet as a special
sacrifice singing to the accompaniment of a full marching band and even
hearing the Italian National Anthem.
Saving the best for last came the statue of the honored saint being
CARRIED not rolled down the streets.
As the early immigrants passed on, enrollment in the various Societies
lessened and then the processions ceased to be.
When Father Nick Martorano, who was raised in the parish, became pastor
of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, he reinstated the procession - not
for one saint at a time, but a festival of honored saints with one grand
procession on the first Sunday of October.
As heirs of the early Italian immigrants, we now welcome all of our new
immigrants coming into our parish. Let us try to imitate the saints that
we honor every day.
