The annual Knights of Columbus Mass was held at Holy Rosary Church on Sunday, October 10, 2010 followed by a ceremony in the church's Columbus courtyard. Activities culminated in the official civic ceremony, held on Monday at the Columbus Memorial Plaza.
Fr. Lydio Tomasi, led the religious ceremony at Holy Rosary. Choir director Maria Marigliano led the singing of religious and patriotic songs. Following the Mass, a ceremony took place in the Columbus courtyard adjacent to the church, where in 1992 the Lido Civic Club erected a statue of Christopher Columbus. Lido Club President Thomas Mauro recalled in his remarks the unique bonds that the Lido Club has shared with the church since the Club's founding in 1929, and the contributions made by Italian immigrants to America.
The Lido Club gift to Holy Rosary
This specially-commissioned statue of a youthful Christopher Columbus graces the courtyard of Holy Rosary Church, Washington, D. C., where a brief ceremony is
held annually as part of the religious
celebration of Columbus Day, following a
special Mass in the church on the Sunday
preceding the Monday holiday. It was erected by parishioners under the
spirited leadership of its pastor, Fr. Caesar Donanzan, C.S. and presented to the parish by the Lido Civic Club following the Quincentenary Mass on October 11, 1992.
An inscription on a bronze plate on the supporting pedestal reads as follows:
CRISTOFORO COLOMBO
This monument erected on the occasion of the 1992 Quincentennial Jubilee celebrating the discovery of America, pays tribute to Cristoforo Colombo and his seafaring companions. Their bold voyage led to an historic encounter between the European world and the Americas. A turning point in Western Civilization, this event paved the way for the spreading of the Gospel and the establishment of a society anchored on the principles of Christian love and holiness. 1492-1992