Maria Christina Leone of Marsiconuovo
(Basilicata)

A Sunday Afternoon bocce game
at the Nicholas Pucciarelli Bocce Courts, 66th and Vine Sts. in West Philadelphia, c. 1980

Mandolins
c. 1900

Handbooks of three Italian mutual benefit societies
active in Philadelphia and Dunmore, PA.

The Italian community grew in the environs of Christian Street in South Philadelphia, Garibaldi Street in Roseto and Scott Street in Wilmington. With the mother as the central figure, social life took the form of family, club and church. Although they recognized existing class distinctions among themselves, Italians speaking a common language could fraternize in a "Little Italy" which existed as a semi-independent universe all its own. This fraternal spirit encompassed weddings and christenings, street processions in honor of a patron saint, and outings where "stornelli" would resound from mandolins and bocce would be played on an outdoor court. Likewise, culinary traditions brought families together, variety in the structure of the Italian meal and the claim of superior regional preparations of pasta, tomato sauce ("gravy" in Philadelphia) and holiday pastries further supported the tendency to feast with one's own. A burgeoning Italian community resulted in the demand for imported products (coffee, olive oil, salami) and the expansion of business opportunities for grocery store owners. Butchers and bakers who could cater to the particular tastes of their clientele were also in sudden demand, and under the canopies of their shops "paesani" continued to socialize.

Bankers who were often bilingual operated early on as steamship-ticket agents, realestate brokers and business advisors. They were especially useful to the illiterate who could not manage to handle their own correspondence to family and friends. V. D'Ambrosio Company at Eighth and Fitzwater and C.C.A. Baldi and Brothers on South Eighth Street were two of many such establishments in Philadelphia's "Little Italy."(1)

Finally, for those who were literate, Italianlanguage periodicals such as "L'Opinione" in Philadelphia and "Il Minatore" in Scranton announced births, deaths, and marriages, honors received by outstanding scholars, musicians and professionals, meetings and festivals of local clubs, and the latest news from Italy. Numerous Italian radio broadcasts of the 'thirties and 'fourties served a similar purpose, as Italians of all educational backgrounds could enjoy the entertainment and news they provided.

Philadelphia has the distinction of being the first city which attempted to recoup the loss of the Italian faithful with the establishment of a "national parish." In August, 1852, Bishop John Neumann granted Italians regular use of Cathedral Chapel for masses in their own language; a month later he purchased land on Montrose Street, near Seventh, for the construction of St. Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi Church.2 Later Italians would see the establishment of similar parishes in the city, Saint Lucy's in Scranton, Saint Joseph's in Hammonton, New Jersey, and Our Lady of Pom - pei in Vineland. Each attempted to unite the Italian community across regional and social lines. Through new associations fostered by the church some Northern Italians married those from the "Mezzogiorno" and the wealthy joined the poor in worship. It was probably as a result of this institu tion, more than any other, that immigrants from all regions came to identify themselves as Italians.