Event Notices

The Sicilian Way – Fisherman’s Feast – Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca Procession [Photos]

Posted on Author Matt ContiComments(7)

A Sicilian photographer from Sciacca saw our photos from the Madonna del Soccorso Society at the Fisherman’s Feast in Boston’s North End and shared these from the festival there. The old country tradition is a little different. The procession is always held on August 15th and it takes about 100 men to carry the large statue. They also walk barefoot from the Basilica through the streets and piazzas and to the Mediterranean waters. It is considered a high honor to carry the statue and you can see how they are literally on top of each other jockeying for position. The crowds are also much larger. The Sciacca church holds about 600 people and people still have to wait outside. (Photo credit: G. Pendola)

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North End Community Hero, Rebecca Mattson, to be Honored at ABCD Awards Dinner

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North End community hero Rebecca Mattson is among 28 honored for their contributions to the community at the Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) 36th Annual Community Awards Dinner on Friday, October 29 at the Seaport World Trade Center. The dinner celebrates the voluntary efforts of individuals who work tirelessly to address and placate the plight of Boston’s underprivileged communities through voluntary leadership and service.

The North End/West End NSC acknowledges Rebecca Mattson for devoting her time, energy and talents to bettering the welfare of those less fortunate.

Until earlier this year, Rebecca was the Chief Operating Officer of Raymond Property Company in Boston. During her tenure, she was involved in numerous high-profile redevelopment projects, including the Boston Garden and Trinity Place in Copley Square. Having established herself as a reputable manager, she recently struck out on her own, currently developing innovative artist live/work housing in Lowell.

Impressed by the large impact the North End NSC has in the community, quietly out of sight of the many visitors that stream into the neighborhood, Rebecca was inspired to be a part of their efforts to help those in need. Despite a demanding career and young family, she is extraordinarily generous with her time, serving as a special member of the organization’s advisory board. She brings a repertoire of professional skills to the benefit of the agency and they people they serve.  Particularly deft in marketing, she quickly established herself as vital asset to the team, currently leading their fundraising efforts. Thanks to her vision, the NSC recently launched a new development campaign targeting new sources of revenue to off-set dwindling federal resources.

“Rebecca is such a warm and giving person, with a heart of gold,” says Lia Tota, Director of the North End/West End NSC. “Her days are amazingly full yet she still manages to find time for our community. Her boundless energy is an incredible motivator for me and my staff.”
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7 Replies to “The Sicilian Way – Fisherman’s Feast – Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca Procession [Photos]”

  2. Wow is right! I love our North End feast societies, but the guys in these photos are hard core. Kind of makes ours look like a minature version of the real thing.

    2. The people in Sciacca are dedicated to the Madonna. We have two versions of the way we Celebrate our Madonna one is not less important than the other. To organize the feast in Boston is a difficult undertaking. We work all year to make this the great event that it is today. The men carrying in Sciacca do a great job our boys in Boston also do a great and difficult job all year long.

  3. I have seen this procession in Sciacca, it is very beautiful and the village is beautiful to. ” Viva ‘Maria ! ” madre del Soccorso ..

    1. Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca Procession – What is the actual church where the procession comes out of in Sciccia? We are trying to plan a trip over to Sciacca and wanted to see if we could coordinate it with the actual feast but we are having trouble finding out the churches name to get a hotel or villa near by in walking distance if possible… Any help or suggestions on where to stay or the name of the church, address etc… would be very helpful.

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