History

How it Began

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The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was originally celebrated on July 16th and became an official Catholic holiday in the 14th Century.  The devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Feast of Mount Carmel is tied to the Carmelite Order to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for her protection during its difficult first years.


In July, 1251 - St. Simon Stock was praying to Our Lady, the Patroness of the Order using the Prayers he invented that are used by the Carmelites to this day.  Suddenly Our Lady appeared to him in the company of angels and bearing the infant Jesus in her arms and holding the brown Scapular.  She gave it to him with a promise that anyone who died wearing it piously would not suffer eternal damnation.


The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival of Hammonton began in 1875 as a small, private devotion by a group of NJ immigrants from Gesso, Sicily.

It has since evolved into the longest continuous Italian American religious

celebrations in the United States.

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    Our Three Founders: Antonio Capelli -  Emanuual Persico - Luigi Vuotto

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1875-1985

Hammonton was incorporated on March 5 1866.  Feast began July 16, 1875.  First Catholic Church in Hammonton was built in 1886.

Early 1900s

In 1905, the Society obtained its New Jersey State Charter.

1920s

1925 was the 50th year Golden Anniversary of the Feast.

1930s

Despite the Great Depression, the crowds soared to 50,000.

1940s

The religious observance took center stage as the fireworks & carnival, were banned due to war time restrictions.

1950s

On July 16, 1956, we dedicated our new building and  on

Tilton Street (subsequently renamed Mt. Carmel Lane).

1960s

Thousands of pilgrims walked the procession.  many of which in their bare feet.

1970s

A monument was erected to honor Our Lady and

the Society founders on Pine Road in Hammonton.

1980s

In 1987, member and future chaplain of the Society, Joseph Capella,  was a Seminarian of the Pallottine Order.

1990s

The Society realized it needed to be ever- evolving while maintaining the traditions of its forefathers.

2000s

The Saxula Brass Band from San Gregorio di Sassola, Italy, made a special appearance in 2006. Hammonton began a twin city relationship with this Italian city.

2010s

July 16, 2015, marked the 140th Anniversary of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, billed as the “Longest Running Italian Festival in the United States.”

2020s

In 2020, the Feast continued, even through the coronavirus.  The Society established an internal committee and began

planning for the 150th Celebration.