Italian-American Herald - November 2023

HAPPENINGS
Photo gallery
of Italian festivals across the region
PAGES 8-9
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From heroics in Vietnam to doo-wop all over, Jerry Tempesta leads with his heart
By Ken Mammarella
Jerry Tempesta started singing on the street corners of South Philadelphia when he was 14, and 60 years later, he’s still sharing great music, although the venues are nicer and the audiences are bigger.
In between, though, were more than two decades when he lost the singing in his heart.
That gap followed a two-year stint in
the military, and the day he’ll never forget: April 2, 1970, in Vietnam. “I should have been dead that day,” he told the Rev. Dr. Paul McCullough in his “Serving Our Nation” podcast. “God helped me to live.”
While fighting that day, he saved his platoon leader’s life and took
out an enemy position with a hand grenade. He was shot in the head, and the cost
See TEMPESTA - page 6
Days devoted to the departed
Ognissanti and Giorno dei Morti celebrations date to Roman times
Ognissanti commemorates all saints and martyrs. | ADOBESTOCK
By Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo
Nov. 1 is a national holiday in Italy, with schools, governments offices and businesses closing so Italians can observe a day of prayer to honor the saints and martyrs of the Catholic Church.
This Ognissanti celebration dates
back to the 4th century A.D. when feasts commemorating all Christian martyrs were held in various places and on various dates
near Easter and Pentecost. The Christian calendar is dedicated to a saint or martyr every day, but on this day they are all honored.
Ognissanti is followed by Giorno dei Morti (also known as All Souls’ Day or Day of the Dead) on Nov. 2. On that day, families pray for their late relatives and visit the cemeteries to leave flowers. The most common choice for flowers is colorful and vivid chrysanthemums.
Historical records indicate that on
May 13, in either 609 or 610 A.D., Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome as the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs. The conversion of the pagan temple to a Catholic church was to be celebrated thereafter on an annual basis on that date.
By the year 800 A.D., there is written
See OGNISSANTI - page 4
Fettucine carbonara steals the show at Columbus Cup
By Tony Leodora
In its 19th year the annual Columbus Cup Golf and Bocce Feast, put together by the Americans of Italian Heritage Council, has found a new home.
After 18 years at Bellewood Golf Club, the full-day celebration has moved to
Brookside Country Club in Pottstown, Pa. The tradition of Italian food, music and wine – and, of course, golf and bocce – continues with a new location.
“Brookside is a fine golf course and provides a large banquet room that will be conducive to our post-golf feast,” said Al De Gennaro, president of the Americans of
Italian Heritage Council. “Most important, the tradition continues.”
The most famous part of the 19-year tradition is the Featured Dish that has become a centerpiece of the evening dinner. After a full day of breakfast pizza, escarole
See COLUMBUS CUP - page 12
Vol. 10 / No. 11