From The Peopling of New York City

Italian immigrants were Catholics, even if just nominally. However their brand of Catholicism back at Italy had more to do with guidance for everyday life rather than following doctrine. Most Italians were, therefore, distrustful of the churches in Italy and the U.S because there were not of any help to these commoners. The men considered church going women’s work and attended church only on special occasions like Christmas mass and weddings and funerals. In the city, the distrustful feelings went both ways. The churches in the city were Irish run who let Italian priests serve the Italian population in basements of the parishes.^[1] The Irish clergy thought that the Italians were inadequately trained in religion. They thought of Italians as a whole as an inferior group.

Some Irish parishioners who were sympathetic to the Italians actually encouraged bringing more Italians priests to serve the Italian population. This was also a way of countering Protestant efforts to convert Italian immigrants. By 1911, there were more than 50 churches with 80 Italian priests in the city. ^[2]One of the most important churches for Italian Americans was Our Lady of Pompei located at Greenwich Village. This church with Father Antonio Demo became the support center for immigrants. They found help with finding jobs, dealing with the law, money and even finding potential suitors. Other churches like the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel held religious celebrations or “festa” that celebrated the life and birth of saints. Gradually older practices were replaced by newer ones. However, some celebrations like the one of Saint Gennaro in Little Italy still remains and is attended by thousands of Italians as well as other New Yorkers. ^[3]

Citations

1. ↑ Binder, Frederick, and David Reimers. All the Nations Under Heaven(145). New York: Columbia University Press, 1995.
2. ↑ Binder, Frederick, and David Reimers. All the Nations Under Heaven(147). New York: Columbia University Press, 1995.
3. ↑ ITALIAN AMERICANS. 2008. May 2009. [1]

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