Benvenuto to Our Lady of Pompeii in Greenwich Village
By Daniel Rodriguez
There are many reasons people choose a particular mass. They like the priest, they want to see their friends, they feel comfortable in a certain church. But Juan Migone, a 19-year-old N.Y.U. student, had a different reason.
“I want to practice my Italian and that’s why I want to start coming to this particular mass more often,” he said.
Migone attended the 11 a.m. service at Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in Greenwich Village, the only Catholic mass in Manhattan offered entirely in Italian.
Inside the building, an Italian flag hangs above the entryway. Paper programs of the day’s readings translated in Italian are placed on a table behind the last pew. Next to the altar is another Italian flag along with those of Brazil, the Philippines and the United States. The church also provides services in Portuguese, Tagalog and English for the parishioners.
Migone’s parents are from Latin America; his father from Peru and mother from Venezuela. But both of their great grandparents were from Italy. Growing up, Migone experienced a mix of Italian and Latin American culture.
“I’ve been to Italy, my uncle studied to be a seminarian in Rome and my family back home in Georgia where I grew up has hosted Italian exchange students,” said Migone. “So I’ve definitely been exposed to the culture.”
As part of his Italian Catholic upbringing, Migone attends mass on a weekly basis. He says his favorite part of attending church is hearing the priest’s sermon.
“I always feel as though God is speaking to me through the priest each time he gives the sermon,” said Migone.
In the Catholic faith, a priest gives a sermon after reading the bible. The sermon usually lasts anywhere from 15-20 minutes depending on the scripture of the week.
Sunday’s sermon at Our Lady of Pompeii was spoken in Italian by the Rev. Walter Tonelotto and focused on the gospel reading from the book of Luke called The Call of Simon the Fisherman.
“The sermon this week was about when the apostles were out in the Sea of Galilee and they weren’t catching any fish,” said Migone. “They were worrying because it was their livelihood. After talking with Jesus, He told them to trust Him and that He was going to provide for them no matter what.”
In the reading, Jesus then tells the men to lower their nets into the water to catch fish. After obeying His commands, Simon the apostle and his men caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing due to the overflow.
“The homily was really inspiring this week, especially as a college student,” said Migone. “Here in New York, we are constantly worried about our future. Are we going to get an internship or job? Am I going to get an ‘A’ in this course? But through this sermon it was God’s way of saying Juan, you’re fine. You’re trying your hardest and I am going to provide for you no matter what.”
After the sermon, Tonelotto kissed the bible and bowed before leading the entire church in prayer.
June Morales, 59, is another parishioner who attends mass to hear the sermons. She makes the journey from Brooklyn to Greenwich Village each week because the sermons console her. She attended mass after the Italian service where Tonelotto again conducted the sermon, this time in English.
“Coming to church and listening to the sermon is my way of feeling God’s presence,” said Morales. “As a widow, I’ve been through a lot. My husband died in 2012 and hearing the sermon each week really helps me. Today, I leave inspired again.”
Although Migone and Morales heard the sermon in different languages, the priest’s words had the same effect.
“God knows you and loves you and you’re listening to God through the priest,” said Migone. “And when you have that perspective and mindset, the mass is so much more beautiful.”