In the Media
St Mary of Carmen Society
In the Media
‘It is truly a celebration of family.’ Nonantum opens its arms for St. Mary of Carmen Society’s festival and parade - July 19, 2022
“The St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 87th annual festival culminated in a procession through the streets of Newton’s Nonantum on Sunday. The festival brings together the city’s close-knit Italian community through an extravagant celebration of friends, family, and heritage.”
"Meet Quinten Mazzola, the angel of the 2022 St. Mary of Carmen Society Annual Festival" - July 18, 2022
“On Sunday, July 17, accompanied by his father Lewis, Quentin rose up in a cherry picker and threw rosebuds over the Statue of St. Mary of Carmen as she returned from Pellegrini Park to Our Lady Help of Christians Church.”
"Newton's St Mary Of Carmen Festival Canceled" Patch - May 12, 2020
NEWTON, MA — For the past for 84 years summertime in Nonantum has brought with it the St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival, complete with games and music and a parade to mark the tradition. For anyone who has grown up in “The Lake,” it’s the community event of the year. But not this year, thanks to uncertainty about the coronavirus pandemic.
"Newton Memorial Day Parade Cancelled, Future Unclear for Other Celebrations" - April 29, 2020
“With the city’s Memorial Day parade now cancelled and the fate of the Fourth of July ceremony up in the air due to Covid-19, organizers of the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s summer festival are hopeful they will be allowed to celebrate the event’s 85th anniversary from July 15-19.”
"Festival of St. Mary of Carmen Society a Grand Nonantum Reunion" Patch - July 19, 2019
“NEWTON, MA — David Sellers looks forward to the reunion at the Festival St. Mary of Carmen Society in Nonantum each summer. When Sellers was young, it was a family reunion when most or all of his great grandmother’s 12 children returned to Murphy Court for the five days of the festival leading up to the giant family cookout on Sunday.”
"Music, Rides and Games at Nonantum Festival" - July 12, 2019
“For the 84th year, the St. Mary of Carmen Society will be holding its annual festival in Nonantum. The event features a mix of bands, rides, games and religious celebrations, including a candlelit procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church for the “Flight of the Angel.””
"Italian Pride and Faith" Enterprise News - July 24, 2015
“Eighty years ago, a handful of Italian immigrant families got together and decided to form a group to help one another.”
"Get thee to the St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival" - July 11, 2012
“If you’ve never been to the St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival in Nonantum then, well, you really haven’t experienced everything there is to know about living in Newton.”
"My Fair Lady" Charles Pierce - June 5, 2011
“For 76 years, the St. Mary of Carmen Society of Newton has put on a festival in Nonantum. The society was founded in 1935 by a group of 11 Italian-Americans who were trying to raise money to assist newly arrived immigrants from the old country.”
How You Can Help
As a non-profit organization our ability to conduct a wide range of charitable ventures relies solely on the generous donations of businesses and individuals.
Scholarships
We are now accepting applications for 2022 scholarships! The Scholarship Committee is proud to have awarded well over $100,000.00 in recent years!
Annual Italian-American Festival
For 85 years the society has brought together our community to celebrate our traditions and heritage with over 10,000 people annually.