The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-07

was the first Catholic priest of
Italian extraction here. He was
more than confessor to his
flock; he was a guide in the some
times turbulent waters Of Amer
lean life. Under his leadership,
an Italian church and social CEN
ter was built on Stephens street.
Dr. Vincent Lapenta came here
in 1911 as the first Italian physi-
clan. The consular office was es-
tablished Oct. l, 1921, with offices
at TOT Indiana Pythian building.
AS Royal Consular Regent Of
Italy, DR.. Lapenta has been
knighted as Knight officer of the
Crown with the title Most Illus
trious Sir" He also has the de-
gree, conferred by the govern
ment of Rumania, Knight Com
mander of the Crown.
Loyal to their cultural and
social paternity, the Italians or
gained into several large socie-
ties of national scope. The King
Humbert Lodge of Sons of Italy
soon will celebrate its fortieth
anniversary. The Queen Mar
guerite Society is almost thirty
years old. Another organization
is the Francesca Crispi Society.
A romantic contribution to
American history is revealed in
the Francis Vigo Memorial Asso-
citation. Francis Vigo, after whom
an Indiana county is named, or
ganized and financially supported
the George Rogers Clark eXpedi-
ton that explored the then vast
and mysterious regions of the
west.
The Italians are rightfully proud
that through the efforts of a
countryman, the United States
was opened up for settlement.
For if it had not been for the
Imagination and intrepidity of
Christopher Columbus the North
American continent might have
waited years to become dis
covered.
Christopher Columbus is ma
tionaI hero and the greatest
festival observed by Italians here
is Columbus day. That date is
heralded with mass meetings,
feastings and merry making.
THE Columbus monument In
Il the Statehouse yard, erected
at the expense of the Italian peo-
pie here, was dedicated Oct. 81,
1920, with great pomp and cere-
mony.
The old traditional music of
Italy, gay lyric folk songs, is
kept alive. Music and song as an
expression of Italian peoples have
given the nation a rich heritage
of harmony. Enrico CaruSo was
an idol of peasants and mobiles
alike.
Such music as the Funiculi,
Funicula, Santa Lucia, Maria, o
Solo Mic, the limo Of Mameli,
the limo of Garibaldi, the Royal
Italian march and ariaS from the
operas of Verdi are jOyfully sung
and played here today.
The Italians are jealous of their
cultural patrimony. Monsignor
Priori established an Italian Ian
guage course so that the beautiful
Soft-voiced tongue, so famous in
poetry and music, might be pre-
served.
Active in education here is
Thomas Poggiani, violin professor
at the Jordan Conservatory Of
Music. Professor Gino Ratti Of
fers an italian course at Butler
university.
Fred Iozzo is one of the most
active figures in the Indianapolis
Italian community. He has lived
in the United States thirty years
and has been awarded medal by
Premier Mussolini for his work
in indianapolis in the Italian
colony.
There is an Italian section in
the indianapolis public library
where the books are worn from
much handling. The Italians are
avid readers of their great poets
Dante. RoSetti, D'Annunzio,
Pirandelo, and the philosopher,
Croce. In many Italian homes,
along with pictures of the patron
saints and the Virgin Mary, are
reDroduc+ionS of the great paint-
ings by Da Vinci and Michel
angelo.
Socially. the Italians have bene-
flied the city. Although the depres-
sion has necessitated voluminous
relief rolls, there have been but
few indigents among the Italians.
Good citizens, no Italian ever has
been convicted Of a serious crime
in indianapolis, according to DR..
Lapenta.