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Society of Saint Sebastian of Montclair, NJ Inc.

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Our history
 The History of The Society Of Saint Sebastian

The Society Of Saint Sebastian of Montclair, New Jersey was incorporated on May 18th, 1926. The certificate was granted to the founding members, who were Italian immigrants from the town of Cerami, Sicily. These men came to be our grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins and friends; all sharing a common interest: love and admiration for Saint Sebastian, one of the patron saints of Cerami.
The tradition of celebrating the feast of Saint Sebastian every August was brought from Cerami, where the feast is still celebrated. Every last Sunday of August in Montclair, the statue of the Saint, a replica of the one in Cerami,, is carried out of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and taken into procession; followed by the devout and the curious.
The Saint’s “float” or “carrier” called “Avara” is also a replica of the one used in Cerami. It was built in 1936 by three original society members. Their names were Santo Stivale, Sebastiano Stivale and Luigi Locascio. In September, 2003, the crown portion of Avara was on display at Seton Hall University’s 150th Anniversary of Newark’s Archdiocese’s exhibit.
With the help of God, the new and future generations of the society will continue to keep this proud tradition flourishing, which was so dear to our forefathers, the founding members of the Society of Saint Sebastian.
Our Mission
Mission Statement
 
The Society of Saint Sebastian's mission is to serve as a mutual aid society to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
in Montclair, New Jersey;  to aid local and national charities and to assist less fortunate people of the Society's choosing.   All proceeds donated from the Society to the Church, to any charity or to any less fortunate person(s) is done so in honor of and in memory of Saint Sebastian.