Hometown History #96: Hundreds Joined in Founding of “Sons" of Italy Lodge

Above, the Morse Theater at mid-century, about a generation after it hosted the inauguration of the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge.

October is Italian Heritage Month*

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, often called simply The Sons of Italy, got is start in New York City in 1905 as a means to help Italian-Americans in their new country. And, by 1926, Franklin’s Italians got into the act with a vast affair held at the Morse Theater on Sunday, May 2.

The Quattro Eroi (four heroes) Lodge was so named to honor the four Italian-American men from Franklin who died in the Great War, Alessandro Patete, Patrick Ristaino, Albert L. Mucciarone, and Emilio Daddario.

The officers filed into the theater, filled with members of other Lodges and officials of the Grand Lodge. `Venerable’ Giulio Gentili of the Mansfield Lodge bid them welcome and Arduino De Santes of Mansfield performed an initiation. The Franklinites initiated included Venerable Agostino DeBaggis; Assistant Venerable, Raphael Brunelli; ex- Venerable, Duilio Prosperi, Orator, Eamo Bianchini; Recording Secretary Catherine Vipraio; Financial Secretary, Joseph Vipraio; Treasurer, Rocco D’Errico, Trustee, Raffaele Ristaino, Mrs. Secondina De Lellis, Miss Philomena Ficco, Mrs. Vincenzo Geromini, and Guglielmo Chelotti; Masters of Ceremonies, Aldo Pellini and Hugo Santoro; Sentinels, Rodolfo D. Caldararo, and Guido Beschi.

At the opening, 12 small girls dressed in white, six wearing emblems of the American flag and six of the Italian Flag, filed behind the Grand Officials as they entered the hallway.

After the initiation, Sentinels were instructed to allow others to enter the hall, and fully 500 people joined in the festivities, which included comments by local Doctor, Virgilio M. Bertone and Joseph T. Zottoli, Justice of the Boston Municipal Court and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

It wasn’t only Italians, though. Rev. R. K. Marvin (Universalist) told of his voyages abroad and what he had learned about Italy and Professor A.W. Pierce also spoke about Italy and the Italians. And, finally, local industrialist Charles A.R. Ray spoke about the great work of the community in forming a lodge.

He praised the local Italian community for its commitment to education and commented on the number of Italian American students now graduating from Franklin High School.

*Italian Heritage Month was established by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.