San Diego's Italian Church Holds Annual Festa & Blessing of the Fishing Fleet

 

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, an Italian National Parish in San Diego will hold its "Marian" or "Our Lady of the Rosary Festa." There is a special Mass where all parish societies and groups carry their banners in the opening procession. In years past the Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, now a Cardinal, has celebrated the Mass. After Mass they, along with the public who are welcomed to join, process or parade through the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood down to the harbor. There, along the Embarcadero, a boat is blessed, and fireworks are set off. The procession then parades back to the church where there is a benediction and doves are set free signifying peace. Afterwards there is a complimentary luncheon in the Parish Hall.

Our Lady of the Rosary Festa commemorates the October 7th victory of the combined Christian European fleets of the Holy League of 1571 over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto and was originally called the "Feast of Our Lady of Victory."

Below are photos from past Festas. 

What: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Where: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

1668 State Street San Diego, CA 92101

(619)234-4820

OLRSD.org

When: Sunday, October 1st, 2023

11:00 am Rosary

12:00 Mass

1:30 Procession

Past Festas:

Festa 2018 Album

Festa 2017 Album

Festa 2016 Album

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NIAF 48th Anniversary Gala

NIAF 48th Anniversary Gala

Join the National Italian American Foundation as we celebrate the best of Italian heritage and culture, our 2023 Region of Honor Emilia-Romagna, and the importance of the Italian Diaspora!

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington D.C.

More here

San Diego's Italian Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary

 

100TH ANNIVERSARY TRIDIUM

AUGUST 17 –19, 2023

For 100 years Our Lady of the Rosary has served as a beacon of hope to her members of Faith.  She has served as the center of a neighborhood to celebrate faith, family, community and traditions.  This August we celebrate the community and the Church that saved and re-built Little Italy.  

Join us for a community Triduum that culminates with an evening party in front of our historic Church celebrating those that came before us, sacrificed to build our parish and continue to build and preserve our community. MORE HERE

San Diego's Italian Church Celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph

SAN DIEGO- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in San Diego's Little Italy is not only a designated Italian National Parish but is also home to a Saint Joseph's Society, thus every year the parish has a big celebration for the Feast of Saint Joseph, also known as La Festa di San Giuseppe, or La Tavola di San Giuseppe, Saint Joseph's Table. There is a special Mass with a presentation from the society afterwards, a procession, and a luncheon in the hall. I could not make it this year however, I am sure it was celebrated with a heavy heart having just lost our beloved pastor, Fr. Louis Solcia (see here). 

History 

"There are several versions of how the Table came to be. Some sources date it to events in 1262 or 1268. One of the most-repeated accounts describes a famine or drought in Sicily leading landowners or farmers to promise St. Joseph that if his intercession brought about rain, they would serve a free meal to the local vergineddi (little needy children) or vicchiareddi (old people). This is reflected even today in the practice of all donations or proceeds from the meal being given to the poor, or a charity." Read More Here.

I am not a professional videographer, but you may still enjoy the cell phone video below of parts of the 2019 St. Joseph's Day Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary, San Diego. This is a short clip of the opening procession. You can view the full video here.

There are more photos here. And you can read about St. Joseph's Day here.

Our Lady of the Rosary is located at 1629 Columbia St. San Diego, CA 92101

Email: parish@olrsd.org

Phone: 619-234-4820

Web: OLRSD.org

Grazie! Auguri!

More video here.
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