Although the icy winds of Sunday, July 13 slightly impacted attendance, particularly among elderly parishioners, it did little to dampen the spirit of those who, with unwavering faith, took part in the annual celebration.
St. Monica’s Church is a cherished place of worship for the Italian community in Melbourne’s northwestern suburbs and has been home to this long-awaited event for decades.
For over thirty years, families from Piminoro have come together in this sacred space to honour their beloved patron saint, with the same passion and joy as the feast celebrated in their hometown each July. That village, perched on the hill affectionately known as the “Mountain of the Shepherds”, lies in the municipality of Oppido Mamertina, in the province of Reggio Calabria.
I still remember vividly the emotional visit I made to Piminoro in 1996, as a guest of Bruno Barillaro, then mayor of Oppido Mamertina and president of the Calabrian Regional Council. I was deeply moved by the sweeping views from the mountaintop: a breathtaking panorama of the Gioia Tauro Plain and the majestic Aspromonte Mountain range.
For Melbourne’s Piminoro families, this feast is far more than a religious tradition. It’s a moment of communion, a reaffirmation of their roots and a cherished link to the past, one that continues to nourish their identity and integration within Australian society.
The organising committee of the Piminoro Social Club, which oversees the festivities, is composed of Giuseppe (Joe) Timpano (coordinator), Rocky Iaria, Raffaele Murdaca, Raffaele Martino and Bruno Martino.
According to Timpano, current coordinator of the religious celebrations (a role previously held with great dedication by the late Tony D’Anna), this feast renews the Piminoro community’s hope for the future, strengthens friendships and fosters unity. Like many families who emigrated in the 1960s and ‘70s due to economic hardship, the people of Piminoro have found comfort and guidance in their devotion to the Divina Pastorella.
“For us Piminoresi,” Joe says with heartfelt conviction, “this feast, which we’ve been celebrating for 32 years, is a symbol of our spiritual heritage. It’s a living memory of our childhood, of the processions in our hometown before we emigrated.
“Every time we return to Piminoro, we relive those emotions. Despite today’s cold weather, we’re here with our families, proud to represent our community through our faith and commitment. Many of us believe the Divina Pastorella supported us through the hardships of leaving our homeland and helped us find our place in a new one - Australia.”
Despite the wintry day, the warmth of human and spiritual connection was felt throughout the Solemn Mass, celebrated in fluent Italian by Auxiliary Bishop Terence Curtin, joined by Father Gerard Johnson. The liturgy was beautifully enriched by hymns performed by talented organist and singer Rosanna Camenzuli, creating a deeply moving experience for everyone present, both young and old.
Due to poor weather, the statue of the Divina Pastorella, depicting a young shepherdess holding the Baby Jesus, surrounded by five lambs, did not process outside as tradition dictates. Created by renowned sculptor Giuseppe Stufflesser of Ortisei (Bolzano), the statue instead remained inside the church and was honoured with the traditional incanto, a friendly contest between two groups: the massari (herdsmen) and the contadini (farmers). Sacred music by the V. Bellini Italian Musical Band, conducted by maestro Jason Vella, filled the church with reverence.
Following the Mass and the Eucharistic blessing, the community gathered at the Reggio Calabria Club in Parkville for a generous reception, bringing to a close a week of prayer, reflection and celebration in honour of the Divina Pastorella.
