A delegation from the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), led by President Michael G. Polo, President of the Sons of Italy Foundation Joseph Sciame, National 1st Vice President Thomas A. Lupo, National 3rd Vice President Dr. Mark DeNunzio, National Executive Director Shayla Kaestle, and co-chair of the National Membership Commission Dan Kaestle, made an official visit to the Archconfraternity of S.M. Odigitria dei Siciliani in Rome.
The delegation was accompanied by Carmelo Cutuli, founder and past-president of the first Italian OSDIA chapter and member of the Archconfraternity.
The visit took place at the historic Church of Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani on the central Via del Tritone, where the delegation was welcomed by the Primicerio of the Archconfraternity, Monsignor Renzo Giuliano. The meeting represented a moment of profound significance, aimed at strengthening the ties between the Italian-American community and their Sicilian cultural and spiritual roots.
"This meeting," declared Primicerio Mons. Giuliano, "fills my heart with joy, as it is an opportunity to strengthen our bonds of friendship and faith. I hope that this visit is only the beginning of a journey of exchange and collaboration that can continue over time, even at a distance. I therefore hope that the relationship between the Archconfraternity of Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani and OSDIA can be renewed and deepened in the years to come, through joint initiatives, shared moments of prayer and reflection, even if physically distant."
During the visit, the OSDIA delegation, which had participated in the papal audience in the morning, had the opportunity to admire the beauty and historical richness of the Church of the Sicilians, a place of great importance for the Sicilian community in Rome. Subsequently, the members of the delegation participated in "Vespri" together with the delegation of Sicilian Bishops, present in Rome for the Visit Ad Limina Apostolorum with the Pope. The joint participation in Vespers underlined the unity and spiritual sharing between the Italian-American community and the Sicilian Church, further strengthening the ties between the two communities.
The Italian-American delegation then expressed its gratitude to the Archconfraternity of S.M. Odigitria dei Siciliani for the welcome and the opportunity to live this significant experience of cultural and spiritual exchange. The visit represents an important step in consolidating the relations between OSDIA - present in Italy with chapters in the cities of Rome and Palermo - and Sicilian religious and cultural institutions, promoting the preservation and enhancement of the common heritage.
The official visit of the delegation will continue with the presentation of the Charter of the new OSDIA "Pantheon" Chapter in Rome to the President Arch. Patrizia Bernardette Berardi and with institutional meetings in the Capital, and then proceed to Palermo where the OSDIA Chapter "Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro" is present, named after the founder of the organization, a native of Polizzi Generosa, who emigrated to the United States at the end of the 19th century.
