Photos

St. Donatus Parish festival in Blue Island celebrates 118 years

For 118 years, St. Donatus Parish in Blue Island has celebrated their namesake’s feast day with a festival and procession. This year was no different. We included some file photos from previous celebrations. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Jose Gasta, RCJ, associate pastor of St. Donatus Parish, gives Communion to Laura Mastantuono. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
After Mass, Father RG Cagbabanua, RCJ, sprinkles holy water over volunteers that came up for a special blessing before the start of the carnival the next day. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
After Mass, Father RG Cagbabanua RCJ, sprinkles holy water over volunteers that came up for a special blessing before the start of the carnival the next day. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father RG Cagbabanua RCJ, pastor, blesses the carnival grounds and rides on Aug. 8, 2023 before the start of the festival the next day. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father RG Cagbabanua RCJ, pastor, blesses the carnival grounds and rides on Aug. 8, 2023 before the start of the festival the next day. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father RG Cagbabanua RCJ, pastor, blesses the carnival grounds and rides on Aug. 8, 2023 before the start of the festival the next day. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A statue of St. Donatus peers out at the congregation as Cardinal George celebrates the Eucharist in the background during the 100th anniversary Mass of St. Donatus Parish in Blue Island on Aug. 9, 2009. Following Mass, parishioners carried a statue of St. Donatus in procession through the neighborhood surrounding the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Following the 100th anniversary Mass of St. Donatus Parish in Blue Island on Aug. 9, 2009, parishioners carried a statue of St. Donatus in procession through the neighborhood surrounding the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioner Mike Rubino pins paper money on a statue of St. Donatus in preparation for a procession around the neighborhood of the church after Mass. It is an Italian custom to give money on the feast day that is then pinned to the statue of the saint. Cardinal George was the main celebrant at the 100th anniversary Mass of St. Donatus Parish in Blue Island on Aug. 9, 2009. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Members of Caliendo's Banda Napoletana, Jim Weyrick, Ed Sasin and Bill Werner play for the opening procession outside of church. Cardinal George was the main celebrant at the 100th anniversary Mass of St. Donatus Parish in Blue Island on Aug. 9, 2009. Following Mass, parishioners carried a statue of St. Donatus through the neighborhood surrounding the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners make homemade pizza at the 106th annual St. Donatus Feast and Carnival on Aug. 9, 2015 in Blue Island. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners make homemade pizza at the 106th annual St. Donatus Feast and Carnival on Aug. 9, 2015 in Blue Island. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners grill Mexican dishes at the 106th annual St. Donatus Feast and Carnival on Aug. 9, 2015 in Blue Island. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Advertising