The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-16

In accordance with an established
custom in all the cities and towns OF
Italy, special celebration in honor
Of 1taly's favorite saint, st. Anthony OF
Padua, was conducted yesterday In the
Italian colony in Dunmore.
The streets of the Italian colony were
thronged with people early In the after
noon. The larger number of these were
Italians from all parts of this city and
county, though there were many Others
drawn to the scene out of idle curiosity
The little church of st. Anthony
perched on high hill, was the place
of rendezvous for those who desired to
see the start of the procession, which
began to move about $3.50 o'clock. First
In line were number of white-veiled
little girls, carrying candles. Following
them came group Of acolytes.
Then came the statue of st. Anthony
borne on the shoulders of four men and
protected from the sun by a canopy
carried by four others. These bearers
were all Italians chosen from among
the rank and file of the colony, strong
robust men, deeply serious about what
they were doing, even If some of them
were bit rough-looking. They all
wore long white cassocks with curious
little capes and sashes of azure blue.
STATUE CARRIED ABOUT.
The statue of the saint which is car
ried in these yearly professions Is
frankly speaking, not a work of fine
art. 1t was carved out Of wood many
years ago by an italian who lived in
those parts, and though a new and
more life-like one has been purchased
the people refuse to permit it's use
Directly in front Of the statue walked
Rev. Father Joseph, the pastor Of lhe
church, robed in a white vestmert and
carrying relic of st. Anthony encas:d
in golder box. At mis- side walked an
acolyte. bearing a lighted censor and
behind the statue marched the Roma
band, playing slow and measured
march.
AS the procession moved along the
street, all the men uncovered and many
hnelt. On every side could be seen
women kneeling on the ground and
beating their breasts with their
clenched right hands. giving voice tc
low-toned lamentations the while.
In front of many of the houses gaily
decorated tables were placed. and when
one of these was reached the bearers
placed the statue upon it and the priest
recited a brief prayer, blessing the
house. Then the relic was lifted ur
and swung to the four corners of
heaven. A gift in the form of money
was generally received when a stop
was made. some member of the house
held pinning a bill or bills to the saints 6
robe.
AS the procession passed along, 1t
grew longer and longer, for behind the
band there fell in an assemblage Of de-
vout Italians. who marched over the
dusty roads until o'clock and after.
There were young men and old men,
who hobbled along with canes; young
women with nursing babies in their
arms and old women devoutly counting
their beads. Sometimes the whole
party would burst into song, singing
Italian hymns IN sort of weird mono
tone. When the statue had been car
red along all the streets and was final
ly brought back to the church. the robe
was covered with bills, representing a
total value of upwards of $780,
In q grove in the neighborhood a
picnic was conducted throughout the
day, and the people enjoyed them
selvec as they would in their homes in
far -off Tuscany or along "the winding
Po."