In a landmark moment for the Catholic Church and the Italian-American community, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield and the Basilica of Santa Maria in Traspontina in Rome have officially entered into a gemellaggio (sister parish relationship), becoming the first parish in the United States to establish such a relationship with a Roman basilica.
The historic ceremony took place in Rome last month and was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, marking the beginning of a permanent spiritual bond between the two Marian communities dedicated to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
