The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-29
OBSERVANCE OF
ST. E1ICHAEL'S DAY
The Italian Catholics Pay Honor to
Archangel by Religious Cere-
monies, Procession and Display
of Fireworks - Edifying Sermon
Preached by the Rev. Father
Rocca, of Old Forge.

Conforming with custom that Is
sacred in Italy, the Italian Catholics or
Carbondale and vicinity yesterday and
Saturday hOnored the recurrence of the
feast of st. Michael, the archangel, by
solemn religious services and public
demonstrations, which included music
and display of fireworks.
The first observance of this character
in Carbondaie was last year, when the
ancient Italian custom was honored.
This feast day and it's celebration have
u significance among Italians that can
be likened to the Irish Catholics means
of honoring st. Patrick on March IL.
The custom in Italy is to have a num-
ber of solemn professions, public in
character, in which whole Catholic
communities join with fervOr and
spirit. Circumstances in this country,
of course, alter the means of such OBJ
servances, which are consequently
smaller; but the spirit of the feast is
just as strong as in the native land,
and there is the same anticipation Of
the day as at home, where, with ST.
Anthony's day, it stands first among
the great holidays.
The exercises were conducted by the
congregation of the Church of Our Lady
of Mt Carmel, and all the professions
and demonstrations took place along
the streets close to the church on Dun
daft street.
The celebration began on Saturday
afternoon with musical selections by
the Italian band, of Pittston, which
paraded Dundaff and the streets inter-
secting. In the evening, on the lawn Of
the church, there was a grand display
of fireworks, conducted by an italian
manufacturer of pyrotechnics from
New York city. There was an immense
throng from all over the city to witness
the illuminations. Prior to this outdoor
display, solemn vespers and benedic-
tion took place in the church, Rev. An
tonic Cerruti, the pastor, officiating, as
sisted by Rev. Fathers Rocca and
Sbrorca.
Two masses were celebrated yester-
day morning. The late service, at 1890,
was solemn high mass, celebrated by
the pastor Rev. Antonio Cerruti, as
sisted by Rev. Petrarch Rocca, of Old
Forge, and Rev. Sbrocca, of Scranton
Special music was rendered by the
choir.
Rev. Petrarch Rocca, who is tempor-
mon. 1t was highly eloquent, the soul
full effort of the young priest being de-
clared to be the best sermon ever de-
livered before the congregation of Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel. 1t dWelt on the
feast day of St. Michael. the archangel,
"the captain of the angels militia, who
fought, defeated and routed the bright
Lucifer and his legions." The congre-
cation, which crowded the sacred edi-
flee, was deeply impressed with the
beautiful, yet forcible, sermon.
Prior to the late mass, the Pittston
band paraded over a few streets.
The conclusion Of the celebration
We're the parade in the afternoon, SOL
emn vespers. and some noiseless fire.
works last evening. Owing to the per-
versty of the elements. the procession
over the muddy streets had to be Short
ened somewhat. The Pittston band, the
Young Mems Italian Catholic societies
of Scranton and Edgerton and a num-
Der of Rev. Father Cerruti's flock made
up the marchers. In the evening, Rev.
Father Cerruti sang solemn vespers
assisted by the two visiting priests.
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
concluded the religious part of the cele-
bration of st. Michael's day. Later in
the evening, despite the dampness and
chill of the night, the display of noise
less fireworks was successfully carried
out. This ended the two days eXer-
cses in honor of the chief OF the
heavenly hosts.