Specials

All year long Stephen is a well known lawyer with elegant dark suits and an office at Battery Park. When August comes around, he transforms himself into a perfect "paranza" boy in honour of Saint Rocco. Listening to his words is the best way to understand how much he is involved with his Italian/American roots and his devotion to the Saint.

About four years ago I made a decision: I had a partner who retired, and after thinking thoroughly about it, I decided to start my own business. As my own boss, I  have a lot of time for San Rocco. Thankfully, the legal profession gets calmer in June and July and I can organize the feast properly. But no matter what I have to do, even if I have to work until two 'o clock in the morning, I’ll find time for San Rocco.

In my lifetime I’ve seen more young people come closer and closer. They’re the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren of the first Italian immigrants. This participation is possible  not only because these people perceive their origins, but also because there are a lot of advertisements about San Rocco. When the celebration was promoted only by the Church, many people didn’t know about it. Now I am using different ways to advertise it, not just Catholic newspapers but all the things that interest Italian/Americans. I’m sure that if you look into your heritage at one level, you may be interested on another level. I started with the “word of mouth” then I proceed with a web site and a friend of mine is starting to develop San Rocco’s page on Facebook.

This year is the 120th anniversary of San Rocco’s celebration. Are you organizing something special?

First of all, thanks to the increasing advertising, many more people are expected to come. Moreover, this is the first year since 1959 that Monroe Street will be closed to traffic for three hours after the procession.  There will be “bancarelle” (vendors), food for sale in the Church cafeteria and “un cantante napoletano” (a neapolitan singer), Mark Pezzano.

How much do Iitalian/Americans care about this religious event? Do you think that the community still feels a sense of religious identity?

I think Italian/Americans perceive the sense of tradition stronger than people believe. You’ll see it when you’ll come to the feast. This happens because we are in a time warp: when we think of Italy we think of the small towns of the South as they existed  a hundred  years ago.  And our lifestyle is like that. I mean, I believe  in “la cultura contadina” (the rural culture) and it is still an important part of me. Also religion is there and  is still growing, especially after September 11. People need to believe in something again and they tend to look back at their tradition.

Talking about you: do you fell American or Italian? Or both?

Both. I’m very proud to be American but I’m very proud to be Italian  as well. Italy is my history.