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Join St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy - Celebrating Italian Culture in Springfield
Welcome to the St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy in America.
Our Story
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In the Beginning: All'inizio
In 2022, a group of passionate Italians from Springfield came together with a shared vision of creating a group where people could come together to celebrate and learn about our Italian culture. With determination and hard work, St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy was born.
Our Community: La Nostra Comunita'
Our Italian community is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to have built a community of business owners, professionals, artists, performers, educators, and supporters who share our passion for promoting our Italian cultural understanding and appreciation.
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Our Accomplishments: Le Nostre Realizzazioni
Since our officially founding in 2023, St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy has hosted countless cultural events, music and art exhibitions, and educational programs. We have also collaborated with many local organizations to support our goal in promoting our Italian Culture. We have brought back Italian Feasts and processions, Columbus Day celebrations, and periodic Italian Masses. We have also established an annual Italian Gala to celebrate our Italian community every October.
Introducing the First Annual Italian Christmas Market in Spr
First Annual Italian Christmas Market
The Sons & Daughters of Italy in Springfield are proud to present a brand-new holiday tradition for our community — the First Annual Italian Christmas Market, a festive celebration inspired by the magical Christmas villages of Italy.
Join us for an unforgettable weekend filled with Italian culture, food, music, and Christmas cheer right here in the South End. Whether you’re looking to shop for unique gifts, enjoy authentic holiday treats, or make memories with family and friends, our market has something for everyone.
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Event Dates & Location
Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7
Winthrop Street • Springfield’s Historic South End
Nestled in the heart of Springfield’s Italian neighborhood, our outdoor market transforms Winthrop Street into a charming, lights-filled Christmas village.
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What You’ll Experience
Italian Holiday Vendors
Artisans, makers, and specialty vendors offering Christmas gifts inspired by Italy.
Authentic Italian Food & Seasonal Treats
From zeppole and pizzelle to Nonna’s hot chocolate and holiday cocktails — taste the flavors of Christmas, Italian-style.
Live Music & Performances
Italian carols, traditional Christmas favorites, and daily entertainment.
Special Festive Events
• Friday: Tree Lighting with Mayor Domenic Sarno
• Saturday: Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus (5–9 PM)
• Sunday: Living Nativity presented by our St. Carlo Acutis Youth Group (6 PM)
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A Celebration of Culture & Community
This market is more than an event — it’s the beginning of a new Italian Christmas tradition in Springfield. Created to celebrate our heritage, support local artisans, and bring joy to families, the Italian Christmas Market is a gift from our organization to the entire community.
We invite you to join us, explore, taste, shop, and celebrate the magic of Christmas… Italian-style
Join Us for the Christmas Tree Lighting!
Christmas Tree Lighting
This Friday, December 5th at 5:30 PM, we invite the entire community to gather at Florian Park in the South End as we officially kick off the Italian Christmas Market with a beautiful outdoor tree lighting!
Come celebrate the start of this magical weekend with twinkling lights, Italian Christmas spirit, and the warmth of our neighborhood coming together.
We are honored to welcome Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, along with other special guests, who will join us to help light the tree and celebrate our growing Italian cultural traditions here in Springfield.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Italian Christmas Market Opening Night
Florian Park, South End
Friday, Dec. 5 • 5:30 PM
Hosted by the Springfield Sons & Daughters of Italy
Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer — let’s celebrate Christmas the Italian way!
PHOTOS WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS!
Join us for Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Bring the whole family for a magical Christmas moment at the Italian Christmas Market!
Join us Saturday, December 6th from 5:00–9:00 PM on Winthrop Street in Springfield’s South End for professional-style photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in a warm, festive Italian Christmas setting.
Kids, families, couples, and even Nonni are welcome — capture a beautiful holiday memory while enjoying the Market’s food, vendors, lights, and Christmas cheer!
Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Saturday, Dec. 6
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Italian Christmas Market • Winthrop Street
Hosted by the Springfield Sons & Daughters of Italy
Come make Christmas magic with us!
Living Nativity at the Italian Christmas Market
Help Us Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
Sunday, December 7 • 6:00 PM • Winthrop Street, South End Springfield
The Sons & Daughters of Italy’s St. Carlos Acutis Youth Group are proud to announce a special Living Nativity taking place Sunday, December 7 at 6 PM outside at the Italian Christmas Market on Winthrop Street in Springfield’s historic South End. This outdoor event brings to life one of the most cherished Christmas traditions in the Catholic world—one that began in Italy nearly 800 years ago.
Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and the First Nativity at Greccio
The play is inspired by the story of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved patron saint of Italy, who created the very first Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy in 1223. His simple yet powerful recreation of Christ’s birth transformed how the world celebrates Christmas and became a tradition found in nearly every Catholic home today.
Our presentation will highlight the profound influence that Italian culture has had on shaping the Nativity scenes we recognize today—showing the Christ Child born into utter poverty, surrounded by humility, simplicity, and divine love.
This year’s Living Nativity will include:
• Live animals, including camels, donkeys, cows, goats, and sheep
• A reenactment of the humble birth of Jesus
• Scenes honoring St. Francis’ vision at Greccio
• A reminder of the Italian roots of this beautiful tradition
Salvatore Circosta, President: “One of the greatest gifts St. Francis gave to the Church was the Nativity tradition. Sharing that gift in the South End of Springfield—an Italian neighborhood built by our ancestors—is incredibly meaningful to us. In a busy world, the Nativity helps bring us back to the heart of Christmas: humility, hope, and the beauty of Christ entering the world in poverty. We’re honored to offer this to our community.”
The Living Nativity is part of the second annual Italian Christmas Market, a three-day celebration of Italian culture, food, music, and tradition. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy the marketplace, and stay for the performance.
RECORD ATTENDANCE AT SPRINGFIELD’S ITALIAN FEAST
Italian Feast Draws Big Crowd, Celebrates Italian Heritage Revival in Springfield’s Little Italy
Springfield, MA – July 19, 2025 — The Sons & Daughters of Italy are proud to announce that the 2025 Italian Feast, held this past Saturday and Sunday in Springfield’s South End, welcomed an incredible 17,615 attendees over the course of the two-day celebration.
The Feast, held in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, continues a long-standing tradition of faith, food, and community that has deep roots in the Italian-American history of the region. Guests from across Massachusetts and beyond came together to enjoy live music, traditional Italian fare, cultural performances, religious processions, and the triumphant return of the iconic Grease Pole Competition.
“This overwhelming turnout is a testament to the enduring pride and passion of our Italian-American community,” said Salvatore Circosta, President of the Sons & Daughters of Italy. “We are grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s feast an unforgettable success — from our dedicated volunteers to the families who traveled from near and far to celebrate with us.”
The organization extends its sincere thanks to all sponsors, vendors, performers, parishioners, and neighbors who made this event possible. Planning is already underway for an even bigger celebration in 2026.
For more information about upcoming events or to get involved, visit www.springfielditalians.org or follow the Sons & Daughters of Italy on social media.
Our new social club "casa italiana" is open
Casa Italiana Ribbon Cutting Draws Big Crowd, Celebrates Italian Heritage Revival in Springfield’s S
SPRINGFIELD, MA — With heartfelt speeches, joyful applause, and a renewed sense of community spirit, the long-awaited ribbon cutting of Casa Italiana took place Friday evening at 13 Winthrop Street—marking a proud new chapter for Springfield’s Italian-American community.
More than a hundred guests, including elected officials, clergy, neighborhood leaders, and members of the Italian-American public, gathered to witness the grand opening of the newly restored Italian social club. The event, hosted by the St. Padre Pio Sons & Daughters of Italy, celebrated not just the unveiling of a historic property, but also the official 30-day countdown to the return of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast, which had been dormant for over two decades.
President Salvatore Circosta welcomed the crowd, offering words of gratitude and hope. “This is more than just a building—it’s a home for our culture, our families, and our faith. The South End is where our grandparents settled, where they built churches, clubs, and neighborhoods. Today, we honor that legacy by building something new on that foundation.”
Mayor Domenic Sarno, whose parents hail from Bracigliano, shared remarks praising the efforts of the club’s leadership and recognizing the deep roots the Italian community has in Springfield. Fr. Paolo Bagattini, chaplain of the club and a Stigmatine priest, offered a moving blessing before the ribbon was cut.
The building, dating back to 1897, has been revitalized under new leadership and is once again a vibrant hub for cultural celebration, religious devotion, and intergenerational connection.
The ceremony ended with Italian music, refreshments, and tours of the newly reopened space. The energy and enthusiasm at the ribbon cutting set the tone for what promises to be a historic summer—culminating in the Italian Feast on July 12–13, expected to bring thousands back to the South End. As Circosta concluded, “This is just the beginning. The feast is coming home.”
Celebrating Italian culture: A Vibrant Photo Collection of St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy
Donate to St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy
Join us in fostering cultural appreciation and community engagement through your generous contribution. As a 501(c)8 all donations made to us are tax deductable.
Ciao!
join the St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy today!
Explore the richness of our culture through art, music, food, language, and more at St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons & Daughters of Italy. Join us today!
sons & daughters of italy
National: Sons & Daughters of Italy
The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, formerly the Order Sons of Italy in America (Italian: Ordine Figli d’Italia in America, OSIA), is the largest and the oldest Italian American fraternal organization in the United States. It was founded on June 22, 1905, by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro to help assimilate Italians into American society during the immigration boom of the early 20th century.
Massachusetts: Sons & Daughters of Italy
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is one of the many state organizations of the National Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. We are part of the oldest, largest and most geographically represented organization of Americans of Italian heritage in this country. The National Lodge was organized in New York in 1905. The Grand Lodge of
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is one of the many state organizations of the National Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. We are part of the oldest, largest and most geographically represented organization of Americans of Italian heritage in this country. The National Lodge was organized in New York in 1905. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was chartered in 1914 and encompasses Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Sons & Daughters of Italy: Commission for Social Justice
Sons & Daughters of Italy: Commission for Social Justice
The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), the biggest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian descent in the United States.
- The CSJ was founded in 1979 to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the entertainment, advertisin
The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), the biggest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian descent in the United States.
- The CSJ was founded in 1979 to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the entertainment, advertising and media industries.
- Protect and defend Columbus Day and the Italian hero Christopher Columbus
- The CSJ conducts campaigns at both the community and the national levels that support cultural and social issues of importance to Italian Americans. (Legislation, commemorative stamps, Columbus Day/Heritage Month, etc.)