Faith and Community

Italian immigrants, primarily of Carlentini, Italy origin, established their own "Little Italy" neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Although they were thousands of miles from their homeland, the immigrants brought a sacred piece of their culture with them: Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia, commonly referred to as Saint Lucy, was a courageous woman from Syracuse, Italy who was persecuted for devoting her life to her faith. She became the patron saint of the blind and serves as a religious icon for the communities of Carlentini, Italy and Little Italy, Omaha, Neb. In honor of her, a Santa Lucia Festival is held in Carlentini and Omaha each year, culturally connecting these two cities. Today, Omaha's Little Italy has fewer people of Italian heritage living in the neighborhood; however, the faith in Santa Lucia remains deeply rooted in the community.

Text: Katie Kuipers