Carovilli and Castiglione

Finally, Sunday arrived. This was the BIG day we’d been planning for months. Angelina found Jeanne Frick and immediately took her hand and pulled her close. They sat together for the entire service – new best friends! The American cousins sat down in the front rows. The visiting choir consisting of Giovanna Hilj, Richard Maginn, Frank James, Burma Domenico and Mary Mollicone sat up front to the side of the altar along with the church choir of four young women, one guitar player and one keyboard player. We practiced “Panis Angelicus” several times before mass started, and hoped for the best.

The mass was lead by Father Erasmo, a Franciscan monk recently assigned to the new church when Father Marco retired. During the mass, Father Marco arrived and slowly worked his way up to the front pew. He had been the parish priest for 56 years and still had the charm and warmth of a true “father” over his parish. It was easy to see why the community loves him. While standing near the altar, Father Marco caught site of the photo album we brought as a gift. He looked with great interest at the different families and became quite animated when he saw pictures of Uncle Sandy and Aunt Mamie. He had visited America in the 1960’s? and specifically recalled having spent time with Sandy and Mamie Domenico in Welby.

During communion, five very brave Americans sang “Panis Angelicus” accompanied by the keyboard and guitar. This song was a special gift to the community and a heart-felt prayer to honor the di Domenico family members who were so devoted to the church both in Italy and in America, and who sang in the choir at Assumption Church in Welby. (Afterwards, Gwen said she could hear Aunt Ern’s voice when we were singing.)

After the formal mass ended, it was time for the parishoners and visitors to exchange welcomes and gifts. Our spirited guide, Pierino Rossi, stood at the podium and explained to the audience that the American visitors were in fact descendants of two of their own families – Nicola di Domenico and Lucia di Frangia, and Angelo di Giacomo and Maddalena Rossi who emigrated to the US in the early 1900’s. Then Frank James presented gifts that included a photo from the 2005 Domenico reunion with 220+ descendants, a photo of a statue carved by his grandfather Angelo di Giacomo in America, and a check for $ 1500 to be used for church repairs. The photo album of Nicola’s family was also presented. To note that Angelo Di Giacomo had carved 2 more stues while still in Castiglione, one rappresents the “Madonna del Carmine” and one the “Cristo Risorto”, plus an affresco, part of it is still visible on a restored burn very close to the Quattro Archi restuarant.

Finally, the American cousins gathered together to say out loud the names of our deceased grandparents and their children:

Nicola di Domenico, may he rest in peace.

Lucia di Domenico, may she rest in peace.

Nick di Giacomo (James) may he rest in peace.

Victoria di Domenico di Giacomo (James), may she rest in peace.

Santo and Mamie di Domenico, may they rest in peace.

Louis Molliconi and Josephine di Domenico Molliconi, may they rest in peace.

Ernestine di Domenico Bowker, may she rest in peace.

Angelo and Onelia di Domenico, may they rest in peace.

Carl Mollicone and Beatrice di Domenico Mollicone, may they rest in peace.

Teodoro di Giacomo (James), may he rest in peace.

Father Marco gave a special blessing to Frank Domenico, who at 92 is the oldest surviving di Domenico son. At this most emotional point of the ceremony, there was not a dry eye in the church. The Italians and Americans came together as one community to share this sacred moment to remember our families and the roots from where they came. For this precious moment we were one people, one parish, one family.

Throughout the presentation, the Castiglione parishioners were most respectful and intently interested in learning what their American cousins had to say. They crowded around the altar to see the framed photos and flip through the album. For our part, the cugini Americani felt a sense of pride, accomplishment, and most of all, satisfaction that we had so beautifully brought to this church the names, pictures and memories of our loved ones. Many of us also mentioned the feeling of being at home among these gracious people.

Sunday would not be complete without a huge gathering of family to enjoy an afternoon meal. At the Colle Panetta restaurant, we were treated to yet another feast beyond compare. The elegant antipasto platters, baskets of fresh bread, and this time homemade polenta with fresh tomato sauce, a slice of sausage and a generous sprinkling of cheese – enough to bring tears to your eyes! Servings of ravioli, meat (lamb and pork) and salad completed the meal. We called a truce. If Serafino would stop serving, we’d stop eating!

We rested for the remainder of the afternoon and returned to the town piazza dressed in our 2005 Domenico Reunion shirts. The Castiglionese had planned a special treat for us – an outdoor feast complete with a live band and dancing. As with all of the major events in this tiny town, it all begins in the piazza in front of the church. Frank James handed out the extra reunion shirts to the children and hats to the adults. A highlight of the evening was seeing tiny Angelina di domenico slip one of the shirts over her dress. She smiled and said (in Italian of course) “Now I’m American, too!” Her daughters teased her and asked if she could speak English now. What fun to see so many generations of friends and family gather around one of the town’s matriarchs, clapping for her and sharing her delight.

Meanwhile, the men had set up tables to serve the food that included grilled homemade sausage, hard cheese and rustic bread. At the end of the food line was an endless supply of red wine served in large jugs. Now that’s Italian! Our hosts were so generous and attentive – making sure we tried everything. Mangia! Later, the tables were filled again, this time with desserts brought by the women of the town. Melt in your mouth wonderful. Life just doesn’t get any better than this!

The 4 piece band “ I Cavalieri del Liscio” from Carovilli, that was set up on the stairs of the church began to play. Accordion and Pianola. The first ones out prancing on the cobblestones to the accordion music were children, totally caught up in the joy of the moment. Soon after, the local women began dancing together to waltzes and polkas. Not to miss out on the fun, numerous American cousins also joined the group that grew larger with every song. Much to our surprise, the music changed to modern songs accompanied by line dancing – just like in an American nightclub. Lots of cousins followed the lead of the young Italian women who made it look effortless to remember a dance routine while moving in summer sandals on top of cobblestones. Talk about multi-tasking.

There was a break in the eating and dancing for an exchange of gifts. Each American family was presented with a packet of colorful brochures describing the history and economic development of Molise. Did you know that this is the home of the famous gourmet tartufo mushroom? A limited edition postcard commemorating the 2005 Tresca (need to add more) was also included. The pride in giving these gifts to the American visitors was unmistakable on the faces of the Castiglionese who presented them. Then Frank delivered the official check to the church treasurer, a gift to be used for church maintenance. As many people as could crowd on to the steps of the church – Castiglionese, Canadian, American, young and old alike – gathered close together for a group picture. What a night to remember! Dancing under the stars – just like Pierino promised.

What can we do to hang on to these feelings of belonging and acceptance? Newly introduced cousins exchanged addresses and promised to keep in touch by letter and email. On Monday, Burma Domenico visited the elementary school in Carovilli and met with the administrator. They agreed to set up pen pals between the Carovilli school and the Florida grade school where Burma teaches in the US.

Our deepest appreciation goes to Pierino Rossi for making it possible for first, second and third generation Italian-Americans to see the town where their ancestors were born. Even though the roofs of the barns and floors of the houses have fallen, even disappeared, the legacy of the humble Italians who lived there lives on in the hearts of their grateful descendants – hundreds and hundreds of us living all over the globe!

American Cousins Visit Castiglione – Day 2
American Cousins Visit Castiglione – Day 1

This article by Mary Mollicone was published in the ANDIAMO magazine in Denver, Co., October 2006 edition, just 2 months after returning from a trip to Castiglione. It is such a good description of the events, and it was such a succesfull trip for all people involved, that it is a great read!