San Placido Society Marks 100th Anniversary with Annual Procession

Members of the San Placido Society carry the statue of San Placido through the streets of the south side of Easton marking the 100th Anniversary of the society with the annual procession. (Photos by Ed Koskey)

The San Placido Society carried the statue of San Placido through the streets of the south side of Easton marking the 100th Anniversary of the society with the annual procession.

Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua before the society embarked on the procession of the estimated 200-pound statue.

The tradition is tied to the town of Castel di Lucio in the mountains of Sicily, the hometown of many of the society founders at St. Anthony of Padua, Easton.

After the procession, the society celebrated its centennial at the Castel Club, Easton.

Father Joseph Corpora, director of University-School Partnerships in the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame, Ind., whose home parish is St. Anthony of Padua, carries a relic of San Placido during the 3-mile procession Sept. 2, past houses of the society members.

Joe Azzolina, left, and Placidino Rivilli, guide the society members hoisting the sixth century monk to avoid overhead electric and utility wires during the procession.

Faithful offer refreshments along the procession route.

The Lehigh Valley Italian American Band plays music while leading the faithful through the streets in honor of San Placido, the patron saint of Castle di Lucio.

Father Stanley Moczydlowski, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, Easton, preaches the homily during Mass.