We are all extremely sad to learn that Maria Cambone passed away in Sora on Thursday afternoon. Maria was much respected and loved by so many in Mortale and in the whole Casalattico area, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She and her husband, Pietro, together with their sons, Antonio and Dan, have spent much of their time over the years in Mortale. Our sincere condolences go to all the Cambone family in Mortale and in Poole.
We are sad to hear that Olga Forte passed away at the age of 95 in the early hours of this morning at her home in Casalvieri, surrounded by her family.
Olga was the youngest of the ten children of Giovanni and Maria Teresa Forte from Mortale. She was predeceased by her nine siblings, Luigi, Pasquale, Antonio, Guerino, Porzia, Giaconda, Elio, Maria and Annunziata, and was the widow of Angelo Ianni from Casalvieri. She was a regular visitor to Mortale, especially at festa time, and was much respected and loved by everyone who had the pleasure to meet and know her.
Our sincere condolences go to her children Paolo, Daniela and Gianluca, to her grandchildren and to her very many nieces, nephews and extended family all around the world.
Congratulations to Cristoforo Marsella and Kirsty Rogan on the birth, yesterday, of their beautiful baby girl, Alba Raya.
Cristoforo is a son of Giovanni and Katie Marsella from Belfast, and a grandson of the late Pietro Marsella and Porzia Forte from Montattico and Mortale.
We are sad to hear that Filomena Forte (née Minchella) passed away at home on Friday morning. Born in Casalattico in 1927, she was the daughter of Domenico Minchella and Loreta Forte, and the widow of the late Olimpio Forte from Mortale and Eastbourne.
Many of us will have so many fond memories of a wonderful, kind and generous lady who was much loved and respected. Our sincere condolences go to her daughters, Marisa and Isabella, her granddaughters, nephews, nieces and all their extended families.
Feast of St. Anthony 2023
For centuries, the annual Feast of St. Anthony has been a highlight of the year for all the villagers of Mortale/Monforte and the surrounding area. It is not only an opportunity to honour the village’s patron saint, St. Anthony of Padua, but also an occasion to gather together families from far and wide, to celebrate together, and to keep alive important traditions so that they can be enjoyed by many future generations.
Celebrations often extend over a couple of days, but the “Festa” itself is always on 13th June, and the day usually starts with a mass, celebrated in Mortale’s church, followed by a procession of the statue of St. Anthony through the village. People make their own arrangements for lunch, and often this is followed by games in the afternoon, before gathering again for music, dancing and fireworks in the evening. Specific details are always published in advance by the organising committee, and this year’s programme is attached here.
The Festa has always been funded by kind donations from people local to Mortale and other villages, as well as others sending contributions from further afield. This year a special bank account has been opened, and people are now able to contribute electronically to help to keep this important tradition going even if they are not able to attend in person. If you would like to donate directly via bank transfer, please contact one of the festa organisers, my namesake, Paul Forte, from Mortale, on monfortecasalattico@gmail.com and he will send you the IBAN/bank details.
Festa di S. Antonio 2023
Per secoli, la Festa di S. Antonio è stato un momento speciale dell’anno per tutti gli abitanti di Mortale/Monforte e dintorni. Non è solo un’occasione per onorare il patrono del paese, S. Antonio di Padova, ma anche un’occasione per riunire famiglie provenienti da ogni parte del mondo, per festeggiare insieme, e per mantenere vive le tradizioni importanti affinché possano essere vissute da molte generazioni nel futuro.
I festeggiamenti spesso si estendono su un paio di giorni, ma la Festa vera e propria è sempre il 13 giugno, e la giornata inizia normalmente con una messa, celebrata nella chiesa di Mortale, seguita da una processione della statua di S. Antonio intorno il paese. La gente organizza autonomamente il pranzo, e spesso questo è seguito dai giochi popolari, prima che si riunisca per musica, balli e fuochi d’artificio la sera. I dettagli specifici sono sempre pubblicati in anticipo dal comitato, e il programma di quest’anno è allegato qui.
La Festa è sempre stata finanziata dalle donazioni di gente da Mortale e da altri paesi vicini, oltre che da persone che hanno inviato contributi da più lontano. Quest’anno è stato aperto un conto bancario speciale e le persone possono ora contribuire elettronicamente per aiutare a mantenere viva questa importante tradizione anche se non possono partecipare di persona. Se desideri donare direttamente tramite bonifico bancario, contatta uno degli organizzatori della festa, il mio omonimo, Paul Forte, di Mortale, su monfortecasalattico@gmail.come lui ti invierà l’IBAN/coordinate bancarie.
Fête de Saint Antoine 2023
Pendant des siècles, la Fête de Saint Antoine a été un moment spécial de l’année pour tous les habitants de Mortale/Monforte et de ses environs. Ce n’est pas seulement une occasion d’honorer le saint patron de la ville, Saint Antoine de Padoue, mais aussi une occasion de réunir des familles du monde entier, de célébrer ensemble, et de maintenir vivantes des traditions importantes afin qu’elles puissent être vécu pendant de nombreuses générations dans le futur.
Les festivités s’étendent souvent sur quelques jours, mais la Fête elle-même est toujours le 13 juin, et la journée commence généralement par une messe, célébrée dans l’église de Mortale, suivie d’une procession de la statue de Saint Antoine autour du village. Les gens organisent leur propre déjeuner, qui est souvent suivi de jeux folkloriques, avant de se réunir à nouveau pour de la musique, de la danse et des feux d’artifice le soir. Les détails spécifiques sont toujours publiés à l’avance par le comité, et le programme de cette année est joint ici.
La Fête a toujours été financé par les dons des habitants de Mortale et d’autres villes voisines, ainsi que par des personnes qui ont envoyé des contributions de plus loin. Un compte bancaire spécial a été ouvert cette année et les gens peuvent désormais contribuer par voie électronique pour aider à perpétuer cette importante tradition même s’ils ne peuvent pas y assister en personne. Si vous souhaitez faire un don directement par virement bancaire, veuillez contacter l’un des organisateurs de la fête, mon homonyme, Paul Forte, de Mortale, à monfortecasalattico@gmail.com et il vous enverra les coordonnées bancaires/IBAN.