My Italian friend LOVES going to the "feasts" that occur in Italy, Boston or NYC. These feasts feature a "saint" with dollar bills pinned around her and they parade the saint in a long procession and chant "Viva (whomever)". They are quite serious about this and are proud to talk about the past generations of observers who appreciated the events. Now, many just don't seem to appreciate the significance and the occasion just isn't as revered by some as it once was....
Having said that, I look on in disbelief at the solemness of the event and am looking forward to having a peppers, onion and sausage sandwich along with gelato.