This episode features the third and final part of our Southern Italy series. These episodes have consisted of interviews with National Italian American Foundation President John Viola, and Anthony and Patrick O’Boyle, who are all members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. We have a candid conversation with these passionate and active members of the Italian-American community about what is known as the Neo-Bourbon Movement and discuss the hidden history of Southern Italy’s glory.
In the Stories Segment of the episode, I share a special email sent in by one of our listeners named Garret, who is an Italian American currently serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine.
Episode Quote
“The causes of events are ever more interesting than the events themselves.” – Cicero
Tweetables
- “There are no people in the world more creative than Southern Italians.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “The injustices of the past are causing the economic disaster that is in the South of Italy at the moment.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “Push further and understand where your roots really come from.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “Italian culture is and has always been sexy.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “Learn your own history and study what really went on.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “If you want to make a difference, buy from, support, and encourage the South of Italy.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “We have to teach a real and authentic history.” – John Viola
- “The South of Italy is very indigestible and foreign to people.” – John Viola
About our Guests…
John M. Viola was elected President of the National Italian American Foundation in March of 2013. With a career in community leadership and development, Viola is the co-founder of ELITE Learning of Brooklyn, a non-profit organization dedicated to the fundamental reform and improvement of inner-city education. The organization’s mission is to integrate educational programs and resources between schools and their local cultural institutions. While at ELITE Learning, Viola created numerous programs to foster the teaching of the Italian language to Italian American youth and others dedicated to service travel.
A graduate of Fordham University with a dual degree in Sociology and Anthropology, Viola has dedicated himself to developing international and domestic service programs inspired by the Jesuit mission to create “men and women for others” and to infuse a sense of social justice into all acts. He is a Knight of the Order of Merit of Savoy and serves as the United States Delegate for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, one of the oldest Chivalric Orders in the world. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., he traces his ancestry to the
Vallo di Diano in the province of Salerno, Puglia and Sicily.
Patrick O’Boyle is the Vice Chancellor of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Anthony O’Boyle is a Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Episode Sponsors
The National Italian American Foundation
Resources Mentioned
The New Neighborhood
IAP 45: The hidden history of Southern Italy’s glory
IAP 46: The hidden history of Southern Italy’s glory – Part Two
Why we are Neo-Bourbons
Michael Soricillo says
One thing that i would like to argue is that i think he is right that the Italian american community is different but in certain places it is still very much alive my grandparents grew up in contursi a small village near naples and they lived on Arthur ave so growing up and still til this day we still go over for Sunday dinner and same with all my cousins and neighbors. When they moved to the island same thing had Sunday dinner. I think the reason that that identity was able to be so strong it wasn’t until i went to college that i really knew was an american was. All my friends were italian i heard italian all the time. My nonno would always you are 1st Italian and you dont have to act like the medigans. i would never think of not marrying another Italian because it would be disrespectful. I think we have to start to bring that old community back every where. i was really fortunate i always spoke to my cousins in italy and i grew up with the language and everything because even though we lived on the island it was a very italian place. i still have about 40 cousins in italy today.