Little Italy Festival’s holy mass and celebration unites community members

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Saturday Rochester held its “Little Italy Festival” at Parcel 5, in the heart of downtown.

Of course, there was all sorts of Italian food and celebrations of culture, but this year they offered something new.           

The first holy mass and community peace celebration at Parcel 5 was held Saturday morning. Organizers say it was held in response to the uptick in violence around Rochester this year.

“We need it as a city right now, a little bit of healing you know, and the unity of faith is very important. So we thought it would be nice to do a prayer ceremony with Irish, and the Germans, and the Knights of Columbus, and the Gates Police Pipers, the Latino community, and the Italians. We’re all together today,” said Silvano Orsi.