The Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes Spirit and Life Centre was filled with the smell of baking bread recently as members of the Italian community, and others, gathered to prepare for the Festa della Madonna Delle Grazie.
The tortani bread, made by many hands, is shared during the feast held to mark the many blessings bestowed on the community by the Blessed Mary.
Here, Amanda Primeau, left, Maria Devito, Malfada Decola and Grace Magliaro are busy rolling dough.
The tradition began in Southern Italy in the town of Castelvetere, where the Madonna appeared to instruct the town folk to build a church.
The tradition has been celebrated in Chatham-Kent since 1968.
