Keeping tradition alive: Italian feast takes to Maryville grounds

The 13th annual Italian Feast of SS. Crocifisso will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, on the grounds of Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Road, Des Plaines.

The goal of the feast is to keep Italian heritage alive and help a group of Italian-American immigrants from the small town of Ciminna, Sicily, erect a permanent chapel in Arlington Heights.

"We're trying to raise funds to continue with the traditions (so) that Italians don't forget where we came from," said Lee Scimeca, a member of the Societa SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna based in Arlington Heights. "We need a lot of money. Building is very expensive."

The roughly 120-member society owns property on the northeast corner of Hintz and Arlington Heights roads. The land is mortgaged with $270,000 outstanding.

"Until we pay off the mortgage, we don't even want to start with the building," Scimeca said.

Scimeca estimated building a chapel could cost between $800,000 and $1 million.

"We're not looking for something elaborate," Scimeca said. "We just want a place where we can hold Italian masses once a week."

The society's crucifix, presently housed in the Maryville Academy chapel, is a replica of one in the group's Sicilian hometown Ciminna.

The festival begins with Vespers, an evening service, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Maryville's Marian Chapel.

An Italian Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. John Belmonte 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Society members will lead a procession with the crucifix at 3 p.m. accompanied by the Sicilian Band of Chicago, followed by a traditional horse parade at 5 p.m.

Musical entertainment featuring Italian and American music will continue until a fireworks finale at sunset.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call (847) 255-6365 or (312) 263-4930.