Honor our Tradition: Support the Madonna della Fontana

Each year, the Spilingese Community comes together to celebrate the Feast of the Madonna della Fontana and San Michele on the third Sunday in May. A story passed down through generations tells of a young woman named Domenica Muia, who had a dream in which the Madonna appeared to her. In the dream, the Madonna instructed her to come closer and led her out of a small cavern, telling her that water could be found nearby. After days of clearing away trees, plants, vines, and other vegetation, to the amazement of many who had doubted her, a statue was uncovered.

This statue, made of olive wood and measuring just 160 cm in height, was left behind by Basilian Monks who once inhabited and prayed in the area. Long forgotten, it was rediscovered and venerated in Spilinga, a small town on the western coast of Calabria.

Many years ago, a large number of Spilingesi immigrants moved to the United States and adopted Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the Ironbound section of Newark as their place of worship. There, they placed a statue of the Madonna della Fontana.

In 1982, the community celebrated its first feast day in her honor. Two years ago, we banded together to purchase a new statue with the generosity of our community. Today, as our community has aged and become smaller, it falls to the younger generation to carry on this cherished tradition. We invite you to help ensure the continuation of the feast by making a contribution. Your donation will assist in covering the costs of the mass, music, flowers, and more.

We thank you for your anticipated generosity in keeping our sacred tradition alive.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Madonna della Fontana

c/o Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

Attn. Eric Lavin

259 Oliver Street

Newark, NJ 07105

or

Venmo to our Vice President, Marcella Pugliese Cutrona: @marcella-cutrona with the memo "Madonna della Fontana"