1925 – The statue of the Madonna arrives in Penns Grove from the province of Teramo in Italy. The statue has no hair and one of Penns Grove’s own, Signora Montagnoli, graciously shaves her own locks which are then painstakingly placed on the statue.
c. 1958 - After only 30 years, the dress of the Statue of the Madonna has deteriorated signifcantly. Antonio Gioia, in conjunction with the Mother of Grace Society, take on the task of having a new dress hand tailored and placed on the statue. Church parishioners are extremely grateful for this gesture and will long remember Antonio’s efforts to achieve this accomplishment.
2008 – PGSweethome writes in the Penns Grove forum of NJ.com:
One of my most treasured books was autographed and given to me by the author, the late Ascenzio Cataldi. The book is entitled “Mother of Grace Society” which tells the story of the beginnings of the Italian-American Societies of Penns Grove, NJ.The records show that the first Italian-Americans came to Penns Grove in 1902 from Valle San Giovanni, Teramo, Italy. Peter & Soccorso Montagnoli was the first known family. Later, the second family, Prospero Clemente Family, came to Penns Grove from the same village in Italy. By the 1920s, the Italian-Americans had grown to a large number of residents who had overcome many obstacles, who having a concern for one another; the Italian-American community formed three active fraternal organizations: The Italian-American Citizens League, The Lodge Nuova Rome of the Order of Sons of Italy in America, and The Mother of Grace Society of Penns Grove, NJ.
On July 2, 1925, the first celebration of the Mother of Grace Feast took place. (The Penns Grove Record published a detailed report in the July 10, 1925 edition). The significance for this gala day of feasting for Catholics and Italians is to acknowledge that the Mother of Grace is the dispenser of Graces. It was from this “feast committee” that the Mother of Grace Society was organized.
The Mother of Grace Feast was a duplication of a feast celebrated in Teramo, Italy during the first Sunday of July each year. A replica Mother of Grace Statue (Madonna and Child) made in Teramo, Italy arrived in Penns Grove and was unveiled and blessed by the priest in the St James Roman Catholic Church on July 2, 1925 with a Solemn High Mass. Following the Mass, a parade of 400 participants led by Grand Marshall Luigi Nicolini marched through the streets of Penns Grove with the Mother of Grace Statue being carried by “Pitman Street Italians.” At intervals the statue was set on a table where the ‘Madonna and Child’ statue was adorned with gold chains, pendants, and money was pinned on the silken robes. As the yearly occasion grew, the little girls dressed in white, and boys in Navy each carrying one American and one Italian flag marched in the festival. There were the women dressed in white with the Flag of Mother of Grace referred to as “Confalone Della Madonna Delle Grazie.” The Mother of Sorrows Sodality marched in their black uniforms with black veils. Also, there were the clergy and church officials along with representatives of Penns Grove Borough. The Penns Grove townspeople lined the streets to behold the religious event. The Annual Feast and procession continued for the many years between 1925 and 1970 when it had to be discontinued because the older members were no longer able to participate. The St James Roman Catholic Church took the lead over the annual feast and sponsored a successful yearly carnival event.
In his book, Ascenzio Cataldi (“Scenz”) gives some background of the several Italian-American organizations that were active in Penns Grove in the early 1900s. One of the strong groups of that day remains active at their long time lodge hall; the First Italian-American Citizen League at 50 West Pitman Street. In September 1925, the Mother of Grace Society (Societa’ Maria Santissima Delle Grazie of Penns Grove, NJ) was organized and chartered for the purpose of “bringing together in an atmosphere of brotherhood, the many Italian-Americans of Penns Grove and its proximal vicinity.” This was done “in order to better assist its members morally, economically, and civically to the best of its ability.” Angelo D’Alessio became the first president. Later new groups were formed: An all women’s group, The Mother of Sorrow Sodality [“Congreda Delladdolorata”] (1939), The St Gabriel Society (1940), and The Lodge Italian Sons in America [a split from the Lodge Nuova Roma Order of the Sons of Italy in America] (1945).
“Scenz” Cataldi tells that in 1945, there was realization of the need to merge the four Italian-American organizations into one entity. But as a result of the indecisions of some of the members in the four groups, it took 22 years for a merger to come about. In November 1946, with the counsel of attorney Senator John M. Summerill, 28 representatives of the four organizations (seven from each group) formed a social club to act in the name of the four clubs. The 28 member group had to choose a name in order for them to conduct legal business for the organization. As a result of the grave issues that developed in the community with the separation from the Lodge Nuova Roma Order, they chose not to use an Italian name for the group. The name of George Washington came up for consideration. Cataldi says, “After a little discussion, it became apparent that such a name would be in line with the desire to apply a certain degree of Americanization to the Italian-American organizations. The name ‘Washington Club’ was suggested and it was unanimously approved.
From 1946 to 1952 the 28 trustees of the new Washington Club met in their designated office located in the basement of the home of Valerio Campagnoni on Walnut Street. In February 1952, the trustees held their first meeting in the main dining hall of the new Washington Club building on North Virginia Avenue. Cataldi writes, “On February 22, 1952, in occasion of the celebration of George Washington’s birthday, the facilities of the newly built Washington Club were officially opened to the members and to the community of Penns Grove, NJ. The banquet was attended by State Senator & Mrs John M. Summerill, Judge [W. S.] & Mrs Leap, PG Mayor George Wecker, as well as State, County, and Local officials and other guests. There was music and singing with Enrigo Branda who played violin selections, and accompanied on the piano Theresa DiGioacchini, daughter of Rocco & Aminta DiGioacchini, who sang the Ave Maria. (Theresa DiGioacchini Panuto returned in 1975 to sing four songs at the Golden Jubilee Festival with Joyce Stulpin at the organ).
Twenty-two years after the initial meeting of the four Italian-American organizations in 1945 to discuss merging together into one Italian-American entity did the final merger of the societies take place. On February 18, 1967 in the old bar room of the Washington Club did the leaders of the four Italian-American Societies in Penns Grove, NJ sign the prepared documents of merger into the Mother of Grace Society. “Scenz” Cataldi gives special recognition to Mrs Anna Clemente for 28 years as president of the Mother of Sorrows Sodality, and whose counsel caused her society to cast the closing vote for a “unanimous vote” for the merger. Since that great day of the final merger, another forty years have passed with the work of the four societies (into one) continuing to offer assistance to its members. The Washington Club serves the entire community.
Ascenzio Cataldi came to Penns Grove in 1936 and began working for the E. I. DuPont Company until he retired after holding responsible positions. He was elected to the PG Borough Council in 1947, and was active in community affairs. He owned a successful insurance agency, and was a civic and church leader. He served as the PG Housing Authority ‘overseer’ of the building of the Penn Towers senior citizen’s building and the Silver Run housing project. “Scenz” served as president and other elected positions in the various Italian societies, and became the first president of the Washington Club. He was a celebrated wine maker having marketed his product with his own name label. (I have several bottles of his wine that he gave to me). Ascenzio Cataldi passed away in 2005 at the age of 93. His book, Mother of Grace Society, is a connection to the pioneer Italian-American people who have gone on to their eternal rewards after having lived and contributed to the growth and development of the Borough of Penns Grove. The book is filled with pictures of beloved Italian-Americans with their committees (including Enrigo Branda and Theresa DiGioacchini providing music), and the many names of the Italian individuals who were involved and served with the Italian-American societies.
“Happy [President] George Washington’s Birthday” to the WASHINGTON CLUB. (November 6, 1946, February 22, 1952, and February 18, 1967). The Mother of Grace Society…since 1925.
In the words of the late Ascenzio “Scenz” Cataldi, “May you be and always remain worthy of your parents and your grandparents great heritage.”
.
.
.
..
.
.
..
.
.
.
..
