Madonna Della Cava Feast Begins Tonight

The Madonna Della Cava Society will be hosting their annual feast on August 10, 11 and 12 at Battery and Hanover Street. The procession through the streets will take place on Sunday, August 12 at 1 p.m.

On Friday, August 10, There is an exposition of the image of the Madonna at 3 Battery Street following a blessing and a short procession. Stardust will play from 8 to 10:45 p.m. and the Grand Raffle will take place at 11 p.m.

On Saturday, August 11, The Classics will play from 6:30 to 8:30 and the Legendary Tavares will play from 9 to 10:45 p.m. and night two of the Grand Raffle will take place.

On Sunday, August 12, Holy Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Church on Hanover Street. At 1 p.m., the parade kicks off and the image of the Madonna will be marched through the streets by society members, Paesani, devotees and three marching bands. Reminisce will play from 8 to 11 p.m. At 11 p.m., the feast will close with the return of the Madonna to her permanent chapel. 

“There will be vendors, rides for kids, a $1000 dollar raffle with $1 donation for North End chairties and live music all day each day,” Feast committee member Anthony Vigorito said.

According Vigorito, the image of the Madonna Della Cava was redisocvered by a mute from Trapani. After finding the portrait, his speech and hearing returned to him. "Our ancestors came over here in the late 1800's and earlyy 1900's from Pietrapezia in Sicily," Vigorito said. "They had no chapel in those days, they worshiped in a livingroom at 4 Fountain Place." (see photo section.)

"The feast started out as a way to pay homage to the Madonna. It wasn't that big until the 1930's when it started having the parade and entertainment. Then it stopped from 1941 to '45 and has been going since 1946," Vigorito said. "This year will be the 92nd year of the festival."

Check back with Patch for a full list of vendors as we get closer to the feast.