Bona Festa

Today is June 13, and one of the few major religious holidays that I believe SHOULD be more mass marketed and celebrated internationally: The Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua. Both the patron saint for which I was named (I think) and the namesake of my first parish church, St Anthony has meant a lot to me in my life.

Anthony was a scholar in the Franciscan order, born is Lisbon, died

in Padua and was the fasted ordained saint, having been canonized by Pope Gregory IX less than a year after his death. Anthony is the patron saint of finding lost things, was a friend to children, and an eloquent speaker. These are all modules of persona I try to emulate in my daily practice, and I only hope that I am able to be as worth a man as St Anthony.

Of course, during his study, the baby Jesus appeared to Anthony; I'm not exactly expecting a repeat. It's just nice to have a healthy role model.

With that being said: I do have two very saintly role models, my grandparents, Marian and Steve DeGenaro. Parents to my father, lovers of fine cooking and patrons of St. Anthony's Church in Briar Hill, Youngstown, Ohio.

Above pictured is the church; here, I was baptized, grew out of a crying room, had asthma attacks leading to ushers offering me water from the Holy Water font, and morned the death of both my Great Grandparents. I have also joined the noble men and women of the kitchens in doing what lesser people (like me) would call back breaking work, in cooking pizza early every Friday mornings.

Every year, St Anthony's throws down the party to end all parties, and it is tonight. Attendees can expect a fairly lengthy mass during which the Monseigneur will look grumpy, the Knights of Columbus will look non-threatening despite being armed with silver swords, an elderly alter boy will go overboard with incense, and the place will heat up. Fast. All in all, the mass is a gorgeous service, and if you're luck and able, you will participate in the procession around the block on historic Italian Briar Hill following the Mt Carmel marching band, the priests and of course, the statue of St Anthony.

This was always my favorite part of the festival, sometimes, Papa would even be seen carrying the arm or the leg of the statue's stand. It would always be hot, and sometimes I would be scared or startled by the test fireworks warming up for an impressive display (until the city of Youngstown shut down the operation).

After mass, the flood gates opened the people into the two cafeterias of old St Anthony's elementary school and fantastic food was had. Expect spicy Italian sausage, with marinara sauce and peppers, spaghetti or cavetelli, and of course, pizza. The Friday crew would surely be working, happy to see their finely crafted famous pizza go from happy customer to happy customer. And of course, there is fried dough!

After the meal, there used to be a fireworks display. I can vividly remember taking a few pizzas and some sausage sandwiches over to grandma dee's house on Crumrine. I also remember a weeping willow that mostly takes over the yard, and blocks the front porch view from seeing the construction equipment graveyard across the green. Papa Dee would sit in his chair smoking, the adults would chat, and Grandma Dee and Stevie and I would be in the kitchen, making chocolate milk at the kitchen table waiting for me to get married and a place to live so it can serve again.

I am sad that I'm missing all of this today, in Columbus. The church might close, rumors claim: this could be it, the last show. If this is the last St Anthony's Feast the church ever does, so it goes; I have lots and lots of the best memories my mind and soul can keep.

Happy St Anthony's Feast Day, or as Grandma has always (including today) "Bona Festa!"