[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SANTA MARIA MADDALENA SOCIETY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 125TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2023

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, for generations, the Wooster Square 
neighborhood of the City of New Haven has been the cornerstone of its 
Italian American community, and Wooster Street has been its heart. 
Along this street you will find many icons of the community--Sally's 
Apizza, Libby's Italian Pastry Shop, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, 
and the Society of Santa Maria Maddalena. Often referred to as simply 
``the club'', the Society remains a gathering place where members can 
meet, share a meal, discuss community issues, and build lifelong 
friendships.
  This year the Santa Maria Maddalena Society celebrates its 125th 
Anniversary--a remarkable milestone for this very special organization. 
Founded on May 1, 1898, the Society of Santa Maria Maddalena is the 
oldest Italian American fraternal organization in Connecticut--whose 
purpose is all about the community. Named for the patron saint of 
Atrani, the Society of Maria Maddalena was originally established to 
assist fellow Atrani immigrants with housing, employment, English 
translating, and legal matters. In a time when such government 
assistance did not yet exist, the Society acted as the original social 
safety net for the community.
  The Society of Santa Maria Maddalena has preserved the traditions, 
heritage, and culture of our members' ancestors--while also maintaining 
the ties from the town of Atrani--in the Salerno Province of Italy--who 
settled in Wooster Square. During the week of July 22, a replica of the 
original statue of the saint, which was brought to the United States in 
1914, is carried through the streets of Wooster Square. The saint is 
adorned with jewelry provided by the original members of the society. 
The feast procession culminates at St. Michael's Catholic Church where 
a high mass is celebrated. The feast celebration extends for 4 days 
with Italian music and food, and on Saturday evening, Neapolitan music 
is featured. The holiday is a time for reuniting with friends and 
providing younger generations with opportunities to learn about their 
culture. Year after year, for 125 years, Society members have ensured 
that the special tradition of the procession and celebration of Saint 
Maria Maddalena continues--that we continue to gather to celebrate our 
rich history and strengthen the bonds of our community.
  Since its founding, the Society has been a place where families faced 
with the many challenges of starting a new life in a new country could 
turn for support, comfort, and friendship. Over the years, the 
Society's purpose has become even more community oriented, helping any 
worthwhile cause or individual regardless of ethnic background. It has 
donated tens of thousands of dollars to numerous charities and 
organizations in New Haven and across the State. St. Michaels's Church 
in New Haven, the Salvation Army, Columbus House, Connecticut Hospice, 
and Iwo Jima Survivors are just a few of those organizations who have 
benefitted from their generosity. The Society provides scholarships to 
inner city youths--as well as assistance to the church in Italy.
  People across the country struggle to create a sense of community--a 
sense of belonging. Over the course of its 125 years, the Society of 
Maria Maddalena has helped the families of Wooster Square do just that. 
The bonds of community that the Society has helped to shape will 
continue to impact generations to come. The Society over the years, 
have aided multiple generations--and have become more integrated and 
more mobile in our community. I applaud the Society's role in the 
Italian American community, particularly those from Atrani, for 
pursuing a simple mission to make sure that this new generation is 
aware of their past as well as their responsibility to the future.
  For their many invaluable contributions as well as their continued 
support and friendship, I am proud to stand today to extend my sincere 
thanks and appreciation to the members, past and present, of the 
Society of Maria Maddalena. As we say in Italian--C'ent Anni!

                          ____________________