The Monteleonese Society

The Monteleonese Society
Lodge has support of three generations
Times, The (Trenton, NJ) - Saturday, May 19, 2007
Author: KELLY ROUBA, Special To The Times

TRENTON - Peter J. Calisti was only 18 years old when he became
the third generation of men in his family to be inducted into the
Monteleonese Society. Although he is the youngest member of the
nearly 100-year-old society, Calisti, 23, welcomes the chance to
learn from older generations. "I think I fit in very well with
everybody," said Calisti, of Hamilton. "I always look forward to
seeing the guys. They always have a lot of good stories." When he
was a teenager, Calisti was encouraged by his father to join the
organization out of respect for his family. Calisti's father Peter
R. Calisti is president of the Monteleonese Society."My grandfather
was in it. Of course, he was president at the time. And it's nice
to keep our name going," said Peter J. Calisti, who holds the
position of trustee. A benevolent organization that is rich in
history , the Monteleonese Society will celebrate its 100th
anniversary at the end of this month. The society was founded
May 30, 1907, by a group of immigrants who came to Trenton from
the town of Monteleone di Spoleto in Umbria, Italy. The
Monteleonese Society is believed to be the second oldest existing
lodge in Mercer County, according to Peter R. Calisti. At the time
of its inception, the society's immigrant founders were still
settling in the Chambersburg area after following a priest from
their homeland in Italy to the United States, where he planned to
establish his own parish. "(The immigrants) came here for jobs and
opportunity," explained Robert Innocenzi, vice president of the
society. However, because many of the immigrants were uneducated
and had little agricultural skills, "the only thing they could
hope for was factory work," said Richard Innocenzi, treasurer of
the society. "So, many of the immigrants wound up (working) in
John Roebling's factory (in Trenton)." In an effort to support
one another during times of illness, death, or financial hardship,
the male head of the each household gathered to form the Societa
Mutuo Soccorso Monteleonese Maschile, which means Society for
the Mutual Aid to Males of Monteleone. "(The members) didn't
depend on government; they didn't depend on charity. They
depended on themselves. That was the beauty part of it," Richard
Innocenzi said. "It was a group of men from the same village taking
care of each other." "My grandfather was one of the founding
members. They were all young at the time. They were in their 20s,"
noted society member Peter J. Bella II. Though they were young,
these men were considered to be the breadwinners in their family
and they created the organization at a time when there wasn't much
government aid, Robert Innocenzi explained. Today, there are about
50 members in the society who range in age from 23 to 93 and hail
from New Jersey, California, Virginia and Florida, according to
Richard Innocenzi. Over the years, the organization has become
known simply as the Monteleonese Society, or the Lodge. Men
interested in joining the society must show that they can trace
their lineage back to Monteleone di Spoleto. "This is a men's
lodge and you (have) to be from Monteleone to join," said Peter
R. Calisti. "We are just trying to keep it the way it originally
started." Even today, members of the Monteleonese Society offer
financial support to families of those members who have fallen
ill or passed away. But, due to the availability of government
aid, like social security and unemployment benefits, the
organization has shifted most of its focus toward preserving
their Monteleonese heritage. In an effort to keep the organization
alive, members meet six times a year at the Hamilton Township
Library to conduct business and reminisce about the old days when
meetings were held at the Eldorado bar and restaurant in
Chambersburg . "You do miss it," said Peter R. Calisti, who, as
a young boy, often visited the establishment with his grandfather.
"It was the place to go. It was (our) club." The Eldorado,
which was owned and operated by the Monteleonese Society for
nearly a half century, helped to bring in extra income for the
organization, Richard Innocenzi said. At the same time, the
Eldorado "also served as a social outlet for the men to gather
and play cards," Robert Innocenzi added. "(But), the need for a
social gathering place isn't there anymore because of peoples'
lifestyles." However, the Monteleonese Society still organizes
occasional bus trips and picnics along with two special
celebrations each year, one at Christmas and the other around
the anniversary in May, as a way to reunite members. "The only
time we really get to see and talk and sit down with one another
is at these social events," said Richard Innocenzi. "I (like) the
camaraderie (and) sitting down and talking with one another about
old times and memories." Peter R. Calisti is looking forward
to the Monteleonese Society's 100th anniversary dinner celebration
set to take place May 27. Jefferson DeMarco, an attorney from
California, will serve as the keynote speaker. He also will
give a slide presentation on the village of Monteleone di
Spoleto. DeMarco's grandfather was one of the founding members
of the society. "(The event is about) getting together of all
the members," Peter R. Calisti said. "It's our 100th anniversary
and a lot of the Italian lodges in the Chambersburg area don't
even exist anymore."
"We are very proud that the organization
has lasted as long as it has," added Richard Innocenzi, "and even
though it has outlasted its purpose . . . we still exist for
cultural reasons and social reasons."
Members of the Monteleonese Society of Trenton, which is
celebrating its 100th anniversary next week, include Peter J. Bella
II; Peter J. Calisti; Peter R. Calisti, president; and Robert A.
Innocenzi, vice president, John Innocenzi and Richard J. Innocenzi.