Holy Name Society to celebrate 85th year

TORRINGTON — The Holy Name Society of St. Peter’s Church will celebrate its 85th anniversary on Oct 20.

A memorial and thanksgiving mass for the church’s deceased members and former pastors begins at 8:30 a.m. at the church. The celebrant is the Rev. John Lavorgna, a former parochial vicar of St. Peter’s.

A brunch follows the mass in the church’s lower hall, where past presidents and members will be honored for their many years of service during the annual pasta supper. Member David Figo will also be honored for his 60 years of service and for being the oldest living past president.

The society is a men’s organization that supports the parish priests by fundraising and carrying out many church events and programs, since 1934. Members of the society “strive to practice a Christian way of life in and out of the church,” members said.

The society meets on the last Monday of the month from Septemer through November and January through June at 7:30 p.m. in the lower hall.

The group’s main fundraiser is its pasta supper. Proceeds are donated to the church for repairs, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Oktoberfest, St. Peter/St. Francis School, in memory of past president Peter Belli, and to the Archdiocese.

The Rev. William P. Botticeli founded the society in 1934. “Father Bill,” as he was known, led the society in its early years. By the 1950s, the membership grew to well over 300 men. Memership now stands at 210, with more than 30 members attending monthly meetings.

According to society members, Pope Gregory X founded the Holy Name Society in 1274 at the Council of Lyons. He gave the Friars of the Dominican Order the mandate to preach devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. At that time, the head of the Dominican Order, founded by St. Dominic, was John Garbella. He became known as Blessed John of Vercelli, the city in northern Italy where he was born. “Pope Gregory X gave Garbella the charge to spread devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and he did so magnificently,” members said.

The Holy Name Society was established in the United States in 1809, at St. Charles Church in Marion County, Ky.

St. John Paul the Great Parish/St. Peter’s is located at 160 Main St., Torrington. To reach the church, call 8604824433. For information on the society, call Jim Borla at 8603095196 or visit https://www.johnpaulgreatparish.com/holynamesociety.