The story of Little Italy's Feast of San Gennaro is the story of how Italian immigrants became American

Every year, for two weeks in September, New Yorkers descend on Little Italy to celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro, a festival that has become a cornerstone of Italian-American culture. Founded in 1926, this annual event marks the 100th anniversary this year, drawing both locals and tourists alike to Mulberry Street in Manhattan. The festival, while commercialized, also champions traditions that go back thousands of years, showcasing a lengthy and beautiful process of cultural assimilation.

Between 1881 and 1920, over 4.5 million Italians immigrated to America, with thousands settling on Manhattan's Lower East Side to form what became known as Little Italy. The immigrants faced numerous challenges, including overcrowded tenements, difficulty finding work, racial discrimination, and suspicion of their Catholic practices, particularly from Irish Catholics and local Protestants. However, by the early 20th century, Italian communities had grown large enough to fund their own Italian-speaking churches.

One such parish, the Church of the Most Precious Blood, built in 1904, hosted the first Feast of San Gennaro in 1926. Organized by Alexander Tisi, the festival began with a procession featuring a 3-foot statue of San Gennaro, carried by men through the streets. Devotees tacked dollar bills to the saint's body, and a purported bone fragment of the saint's remains was placed in a reliquary and hung around his neck. After the procession, Italians gathered to share roasted chicken and toast their heritage.

Despite initial resistance from the NYPD, who opposed the dollar bills pinned to the statue, the festival proved successful and grew in size, eventually extending to a week-long celebration. However, the procession faced yet another challenge when New York Police Commissioner Joseph Warren attempted to suppress it, arguing that the dollar bills represented the profanation of sacred religious symbols.

The decision was later reversed by a New York Supreme Court judge, reflecting the religious prejudice faced by Italian communities at the time.

These prejudices, combined with the establishment of Italian churches and feasts, led to accusations that Italian immigrants clung too strongly to their customs and refused to assimilate into American culture. It wasn't until after World War II that outsiders became more open to participating in Italian culture and festivities. Today, the Feast of San Gennaro remains a vibrant celebration of Italian-American heritage, preserving centuries-old traditions while continuing to evolve.