In early October, Our Lady of the Rosary Italian National Catholic Parish in San Diego’s Little Italy will be celebrating Festa 2014, San Diego’s Largest Rosary for Peace. In addition to this momentous celebration, according to Joseph Tabigue, Pastor of the parish, it is getting ready for its 100th year celebration.
“Being a Pastor, my duties are administrative, spiritual and overseeing the renovation of the church,” said Tabigue, adding that renovations are being carried out in preparation for the 100 year celebration. Pastor Tabigue was appointed to Our Lady of the Rosary on January 11th 2011, by Bishop Robert Brom, a day he will never forget.
“The date of my appointment was as special as my being the first non-Italian pastor in the history of the parish,” he added. “What qualifies me for this is that I eat, speak and drink like an Italian,” joked the pastor. “What is significant about the date is that the numerical characters of 1/11/2011 add up to seven; I was appointed pastor in 2007.”
Originally from the Philippine Islands, Tabigue studied theology as a priest resident for four years in Italy. Eight years later, he was made an associate pastor. “I studied language, theology, wine and food,” he smiled. “I am Italian by digestion.”
The pastor is affectionately known as Father Joe by many of the members of the church and community. In his most recent effort he has started a “Bucket Challenge” to raise money for the parish’s renovation efforts. According to the parish’s newsletter, “Fr. Joe’s bucket challenge to completely renovate the church is running strong.” Among the many contributors to this project is Pecorado, Inc. Painting Contractors, who according to Tabigue, have contributed the paint, boom and services as donations for the renovation of the parish. To date, the bucket challenge has collected approximately $9,112, with new donations coming in every week.
According to the pastor, he places a ladder at the entrance of the church, and then puts a bucket on the steps of the ladder. He stated that people also donated time and talent for the project. “People care about Our Lady of the Rosary,” said Tabigue, adding “These things will inspire and help bring back the younger generation to our church, which with any church is a big challenge today.”
In 1921, when San Diego was still part of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Italian immigration was high, the Cardinal of Los Angeles assigned the Italian colony of San Diego to Fr. Sylvester Rabagliati, a Salesian Father and Missionary for the Italian-American population of the west coast. Born in Italy and ordained in Bogota, Columbia, Fr. Rabagliati spent the first two years collecting funds for the new Church and on August 17, 1923, started the building. That Christmas, he was able to celebrate Mass.
“The church brings the congregation together, as well as reaching out to the entire community, as it has always done,” stated Tabigue. He strongly believes that the church is a place of hope, and a point of reference throughout history for the Italian immigrants and community of Little Italy.
Historically, Italian immigrants found in their Church a place of faith, culture, unity, and a home away from home. Our Lady of the Rosary was the center of San Diego’s Little Italy, a population of fishermen mostly from Genoa, Italy and Sicily mixed with some Portuguese families.
“Second generation Italians always remember the church and its celebrations,” said Tabigue. “Although demographics have changed, the church has many faithful followers from as far as Northern California,” said Tabigue. According to the pastor, “I’ve read somewhere that the church is listed as the 5th “must see place in California.”
Donate