Figure 1.-- This photo was taken in Petilia, a village in Calabria, the far south-western Italian region. The village, about 9,500 inhabitants, is 450 meters a.s.l. The photo is undated, but it could be taken in early 1950s or late-1940s. The photo was taken at the end of a wedding ceremony, in front of the altar, with the priests and the altar boys. This was not common. Generally we have photos showing the spouses with relatives and friends in front of the church and photos showing only the spouses in front of the altar. In this case I think that one of the priests was relative of the spouses. The spouses are in the center. In the right side we can see: the priest that celebrated the mass (surely a Franciscan friar), another priest wearing cassock and surplice (probably the parish priest) and two altar boys. In the left side a Franciscan friar and two altar boys. The altar boys are wearing cassocks and surplices. In spite of the formal occasion, only a boy wears shoes while the others are wearing flip-flops.

Most Italians have Church weddings regardless of the extent of their relgious convictions. Even Communists might have Church weddings. This was cerainly the case before the 1947 Constitution, but even continues to be the case today. While most Italiands are no longer fervent believers, most consider themselves to be culturally Catholic. There was of course a wide range of Church weddings. Some were quite formal affairs with very elaborate formal clothing. Others held by families of modest incomes were much less elaborate affairs with only the bride and groom dressing up. Priests oficiated aided by altar boys.

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Created: 8:09 AM 6/13/2009
Last updated: 8:09 AM 6/13/2009