IADL Newsletter

October 5, 2025 – Christopher Columbus Essay

Welcome Anthony Santanostasi, our newest IADL member! The following essay by Father Michael Della Penna of Saint Leonard Church in the North End of Boston was shared by IAA VP Tom Damigella and former Vice Consul of Italy Alfonso Panico. With their endorsements and after reading the essay myself, now I am sharing it with IADL members.

A Critical Historical Analysis Through His Own Words and Those of His Contemporaries

Christopher Columbus, the Genoese navigator whose fateful 1492 transatlantic voyage altered the course of world history, remains a polarizing figure. In popular imagination, he is either lionized as the heroic discoverer of the New World or vilified as the symbol of imperial conquest and indigenous oppression. The truth, however, like history itself, is far more nuanced. A balanced, critical approach to assessing Columbus, especially through his own writings and those of his contemporaries, reveals a man of profound religious conviction and grand purpose, yet also one deeply entangled in the limitations, ignorance, and contradictions of his time.

Columbus: A Man of Sincere Faith and Spiritual Zeal

In order to try and understand Columbus, one must grasp the historical milieu that shaped his deeply spiritual ethos and interior motivations. Columbus was not merely a navigator or some opportunist, but rather a devout Catholic and a Secular Franciscan who understood himself to be called to fulfill a providential mission of evangelization. His own journals, letters, and the writings of contemporaries such as the Dominican Bishop Bartolomé de Las Casas and his son Ferdinand, consistently portray a man who saw himself not as a conqueror, but as he often signed his own name; a true “Christum ferens”—a bearer of Christ. Las Casas wrote:

“And in truth he was the first who opened the gates of this Ocean Sea, through which he entered and introduced himself to these most remote lands, and to kingdoms until then so hidden from our Savior Jesus Christ and His blessed name–he who before any other was worthy to give tidings of Christ and to bring these countless races, forgotten for so many centuries, to worship Him. His surname was Columbus which means new settler. This surname suited him in that by his industry and labors he was the cause… of an infinite number of souls…having gone and going every day of late to colonize that triumphant city of Heaven.”

Las Casas, though later a strong critic of Spanish colonial abuses, wrote with admiration that Columbus had “sweetness and benignity,” describing him as a man faithful to Church doctrine, who confessed and received the Eucharist frequently, prayed the Divine Office daily, fasted and was passionately devoted to the Immaculate Conception of Mary and St. Francis; even wearing the brown habit. At the start of each day, Columbus required his crew to sing religious hymns:

Blessed be the light of the day

And the Holy Cross, we say;

And the Lord of Veritae,

And the Holy Trinity.

Blessed be th’ immortal soul,

And the Lord who keeps it whole,

Blessed be the light of day,

And He who sends the night away.

Columbus, in a letter to Amerigo Vespucci, described himself in the following way:

“I feel persuaded, by the many and wonderful manifestations of Divine Providence in my especial favour, that I am the chosen instrument of God in bringing to pass a great event—no less than the conversion of millions who are now existing in the darkness of Paganism.”

Columbus often referred to himself as a servant of God, and his letters express a staunch commitment to living out his faith authentically. Columbus understood his personal mission to evangelize and spread Christianity was not only divinely inspired, but a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It was a mission whose ultimate destiny transcended exploration or economic gain.

According to the esteemed Harvard historian, Samuel Eliot Morison, who authored the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Admiral of the Ocean Sea, Columbus and his family were different from many of the others who wanted "to get gold quick and go home." Some recent scholars even claim any search for gold was for the specific purpose of funding efforts to liberate the Holy Land and fulfill Biblical prophecy. This is supported by his instructions in own words to the King: “I urged Your Highnesses to spend all the profits of this my enterprise” to help reclaim Jerusalem. While many continue to question his intent and motivation, an autobiographical self-reflection reveals his deeper purpose. The first entry in Columbus’ journal of his maiden voyage dedicated to the Trinity stated,

“Because of the report that I had given to Your Highnesses [Ferdinand and Isabella] about the lands of India. . . Your Highnesses, . . . lovers and promoters of the Holy Christian Faith, . . . thought of sending me, Christobal Colon, to the said regions of India to see the said princes and the peoples and lands, . . . to see how their conversion to our Holy Faith might be undertaken.”

These sentiments are not incidental or propaganda; they were echoed repeatedly and were consistent with a missionary spirit that had deep roots in Franciscan and apocalyptic Catholic traditions of the 15th century. Scholars such as Carol Delaney, a former professor of Stanford and Brown University and Delno West argue that Columbus’s religious intentions were not a post-facto justification but a sincere driving force. Not only was Columbus convinced his mission was from God but he was convinced it was for God, with the purpose of proclaiming His Holy Gospel. When Columbus finally arrived on shore, he christened the island San Salvador – “Holy Savior” — and prayed:

“O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy Holy Word Thou has created the heaven, and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth.”

This was not an isolated incident but a tradition upon arriving on each island that he explored. Columbus would order his men to erect a large wooden cross “as a token of Jesus Christ our Lord, and in honor of the Christian faith.” When he landed in Cuba on October 28, for example, he made an immediate plea on their behalf in his journal that day. “I truly believe, most Serene Princes . . .that, given devout religious persons knowing thoroughly the language that they use, soon all of them would become Christian.” Continuing his petition to the monarchs, he pleaded, “I hope in Our Lord that Your Highnesses, with much diligence, will decide to send such persons in order to bring to the Church such great nations and to convert them.” These requests, made at a time of such personal accomplishment, further illuminate Columbus’s great devotion to things spiritual; the informed reader cannot doubt that he was truly motivated by his desire to serve God.

The Ethical Dissonance: Noble Intent, Colonial Consequence

Columbus describes his altruistic hopes in detailing his personal interactions with the indigenous people: “I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain.”

Yet, even sincere spiritual zeal does not erase the moral consequences of Columbus’s voyages. While his personal writings often call for kindness, persuasion, and love in converting the indigenous people— “for I knew that they were a people to be delivered and converted to our holy faith rather by love than by force.”—his heart felt aspirations were eventually hijacked by corrupt men and thus he is accused of indirectly contributing to systemic exploitation, forced labor, and cultural destruction.

Critically, Columbus did engage in acts that are difficult to reconcile with the Christian values he so devoutly professed. On later voyages, especially in his absences, Indigenous people were taken as captives, some sold into slavery. Although the records shows that Columbus strictly ordered his men to treat the natives with respect, to refrain from raping and fought to prevent abuses, his governance was uneven, and he often failed to prevent exploitation. Las Casas, while defending Columbus’s personal character, lamented that “Ignorance got the admiral into this error.” He explains further: “The Admiral’s (Columbus’) intention was good, if one looks simply at intention. And does not measure it by deed. And allows for mistake and ignorance of the law.” That being said, records show Columbus did not force natives to slave labor but rather compensated them properly. He punished and even executed some of the Spaniards who went against his orders and abused the natives; a fact never mentioned because it does not fit the narrative.

In effect, Columbus’s inability to govern effectively and his underestimation of the complex ramifications of colonization made him complicit in the darker legacy of empire. This dichotomy—between spiritual aspiration and imperial outcome—remains the most difficult element of Columbus’s legacy to reconcile. His fervent Catholicism and Franciscan worldview called for the salvation of souls, but his expeditions catalyzed the deaths, displacement, and exploitation of many.

Historical Context and Cultural Complexity

To fairly assess Columbus, one must also acknowledge the era he lived in. The late 15th century was marked by religious fervor, apocalyptic expectation, and a European worldview that equated non-Christian territories with missionary obligation or territorial opportunity. The enslavement of non-Christian peoples was widely accepted by European powers, and the Spanish Crown explicitly authorized the claiming of lands and conversion of pagans.

Professor Delaney rightly notes that holding Columbus accountable by today’s standards—without context—is a form of presentism. “Columbus has become a symbol for everything that went wrong,” she argues, “but the more I read of his own writings...my understanding of him totally changed.” Columbus was not a conquistador nor a genocidal ideologue. His mission, in his eyes, was one of salvation and discovery—not destruction. This does not absolve him of fault, but it demands a contextual rather than caricatured judgment.

Legacy Reconsidered: Man, Myth, and Memory

Columbus was flawed, undoubtedly. His navigational genius did not extend to leadership or colonial governance. He misjudged, misunderstood, and mishandled many aspects of his dealings with the indigenous peoples. But his legacy is not one of oppression. It is a legacy of courage, faith, vision, and spiritual purpose.

Historian Samuel Eliot Morison, in Admiral of the Ocean Sea, admitted Columbus’s failings but could not deny his significance: “I cannot forget the eternal faith that sent this man forth, to the benefit of all future ages.” Indeed, his voyage irrevocably connected the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, an encounter that—while costly—reshaped global history.

Columbus should not be celebrated uncritically, nor should he be cancelled. Instead, he should be studied: as a man of deep Christian conviction who strove to serve God through exploration, but who became unintentionally entangled in the consequences of an expanding imperial age.

Faith Amidst Flaws
Christopher Columbus once confessed, “I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy.” This acknowledgment captures the duality of his life: sincere faith marred by failure, high ideals undermined by human error. A true historical understanding must neither sanctify nor demonize him, but situate him within the spiritual, cultural, and political currents of his time.

His desire to evangelize, his prayerful Franciscan-inspired humility, and his dedication to God's mission deserve recognition. Yet his shortcomings, especially in failing to foresee or prevent the devastating consequences of colonization, demand honest discussion. In the end, Columbus is best remembered not as a villain or saint, but as a flawed instrument—convinced of his divine calling—whose actions helped shape the modern world.

Conclusion: A Call to Holiness

Reflection: While it is easier and even tempting to point out the speck in another’s eye, we are all invited to recognize our own faults and failures and so be challenged to hear Jesus’ command in our own hearts: “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” If we are honest, as sinners, it is perhaps not difficult to see something of ourselves in Columbus, who struggled with putting his faith into practice and living a truly moral life.

Pope Francis wrote “We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.” He went on to write that God: “wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence.” Each saint is called for a unique and special mission, planned from all eternity by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel. Knowing that “not everything a saint says is completely faithful to the Gospel; not everything he or she does is authentic or perfect, he therefore offered a new definition of holiness as “an encounter between our weakness and the power of God’s grace.” He concludes by assuring us: “The Lord will bring it to fulfilment despite your mistakes and missteps, provided that you do not abandon the path of love but remain ever open to his supernatural grace, which purifies and enlightens.”

“I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous Presence.” - Christopher Columbus

Works Cited

• Bartolomé de Las Casas, History of the Indies

• Christopher Columbus, Journal, Book of Prophecies

• Carol Delaney, Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem (2006)

• Samuel Eliot Morison, Admiral of the Ocean Sea (1942)

• Delno C. West & August Kling, The Libro de las profecías of Christopher Columbus

• Housley, Norman. Religious Warfare in Europe 1400–1536

• Schwaller, John Frederick. The History of the Catholic Church in Latin America

• Bárth, András. Millenarianism and the Late Medieval World

Italian Heritage News

Last Chance to Represent IADL at the Italian-American Future Leaders Conference

IAFL4 2026 Annual Convention, AMERANT BANK ARENA, FLORIDA: This 3-night event (January 16-19) is a celebration of our heritage, a hub for networking and a space to engage on the issues facing our community today. Whether you're passionate about preserving traditions, eager to connect with peers, or driven to address challenges, IAFL4 provides the resources and inspiration to make a lasting impact. The conference is for 21 to 35-year-olds. All expenses are covered except airfare and ground transportation. Click the above link to apply and be sure to write Italian-American Defense League as the organization you are representing. Applications are due on Columbus Day.

Columbus Day Survey

Fill out this Google form for We the Italians and vote to share your opinion that Columbus Day should stay a federal holiday.

New Haven Mayoral Candidate Steve Orosco Impresses Viewers of Mayoral Debate

Justin Elicker regrets his fear of Yale protestors who knocked on his doors and windows following the George Floyd tragedy in 2020 saying he wishes he stayed outside to have conversations with them. Of course, we know Elicker appeased the protestors by removing the Columbus statue without public input.

Miss Columbus Day Queen Pageant & Parade returns to Springfield after two decades

The Miss Columbus Day Queen Pageant returned to Springfield for the first time in over 20 years, with Stefania Liquori crowned as the winner. Also, the parade is back in Springfield!

Upcoming Events

Purchase IADL clothes, hats, and bags here and wear the apparel during Italian-American Heritage Month!

IADL Events

October 11, 2025 – Columbus Weekend Saturday Ceremony in Clinton, CT.

Join the Italian-American Defense League at Liberty Green in Clinton, CT at 9 a.m. The theme is “E Pluribus Unum.” Commemorate the spirit of courage, faith, and determination of Christopher Columbus and the immigrants who followed his path to the new world; a day to express honor and love for the United States.

October 11, 2025 – Hartford Athletics Soccer Club Italian Night

Contact the IADL to attend Italian night, the last night of the Hartford Athletics soccer season hosted by Hartford UNICO. We will be with UNICO at a private tent with food, an Italian singer, and Italian dancers who will perform.

October 12, 2025 – Bridgeport's Annual 117th Columbus Day Parade

Be part of one of the oldest parades in Connecticut at noon, rain or shine. Hope to see you there! For more information visit the website at www.ciasgbpt.com. Click on this link for PARADE ORDERS, so you have all the information you need to walk with IADL in the parade.

October 13, 2025 – Columbus Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in New Haven

Join members of the Italian-American Defense League as we honor Christopher Columbus at Wooster Square in New Haven, Connecticut at 10 a.m. The theme this year is “Bringing people together.” Commemorate American heritage and the Italian immigrants who dedicated the Christopher Columbus monument in 1892.

October 19, 2025 - Knights of Columbus Italian Dinner in Clinton, CT

Italian dinner at St. Mary of the Visitation Church on Sunday, October 19th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 54 Grove St, Clinton, CT 06413. Prices are $20 for age 11 and up, age 10 and below free. Casual attire. Contact Matt at iadlnow@yahoo.com or text him at (860) 552-9597 if you have questions or would like tickets.

New Britain, Connecticut Events

The City of New Britain will hold its annual Columbus Day Wreath laying ceremony on Monday, October 13th at 11am. The ceremony is hosted by the Angelo Tomasso Sr. Lodge 2165, Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America and is being held at the Columbus Statue in McCabe Park at the top of Main St. near North St. Support Paul Catanzaro, IADL member and vice president of New Britian's OSDIA’s lodge if you are from the area.

Stamford, Connecticut Italian Heritage Events Sponsored by UNICO National

October 1st -31st; “Italian Contributions to the World”; Photo Exhibit, Ferguson Library-Free

October 5th; 2 pm – 5 pm; Stamford Italian Soccer League Tournament and 30 Year celebration - Westhill High School – FREE

October 5th; 3 - 5 pm; Stefano Miceli; Italian Classical Music Concert; Ferguson Library - FREE

October 11th; "Cooking with Maria from Columbus Park Trattoria" Cooking Demonstration, Ferguson Library, 11am - FREE

October 11 & 12, 2025– That’s Amore Italian Festival in Stamford, CT

That's Amore Italian Fest returns to Stamford's Mill River Park this October 11th and 12th from 12-10pm. This festival is a vibrant celebration of Italian heritage, Columbus Day, and of course, exquisite Italian Food. Click here for more information.

October 12th; 10:30 am COLUMBUS DAY ITALIAN MASS, Sacred Heart Church

October 12th; FLAG RAISING AND COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION, Noon, Columbus Park

October 18th; Italian Film Festival - Ferguson Library Free Viewing of Bicycle Thief, Cinema Paradiso, and La Strada, viewing times 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm, check Ferguson library website for details

October 19th; Venetian Carnevale Presentation by Laura Parisi, Ferguson Library 2pm - FREE

October 25th; “The History of Gravina” Ferguson Library, FREE 2 pm – 3 pm
October 26th; Joe Corsello and the George Garzone Jazz Quartet, Ferguson Library, FREE 2pm – 3 pm

October 27th; ITALIAN STORYTIME, 4 pm, Harry Bennet Branch - FREE

October 28th; Lidia Bastianich Presentation; Ferguson Library 6:30pm. FREE Reservations required here; An Evening with Celebrity Chef and Cookbook Author Lidia Bastianich, an Italian-American Heritage Month Program | Ferguson Library

Donate to IADL using this link. Zeffy charges NO FEES! 100% of your donations will go to the Italian-American Defense League.

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Now is the time! Ora è il momento!

Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.

Father Michael Della Penna of Saint Leonard Church in the North End of Boston

IADL Newsletter

September 28, 2025 – Appeals Court Makes Its Decision

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed with the Italian-American Defense League and Plaintiff Ralph Marcarelli on three key points that the lower court disagreed with in its ruling; however, the Appeals Court disagreed with us on the crucial fourth point.

The plaintiffs have therefore plausibly alleged an aesthetic injury based on the removal of the statue.
The complaint likewise satisfied the requirements of causation and redressability.
The complaint sufficiently alleged that IADL has members with (associational) standing.
The plaintiffs have not identified any protected property or liberty interest in the statue.

Therefore, the judgement of the district court is affirmed. Media contacted IADL and Attorney Norm Pattis on Thursday. Pattis responded, “New Haven looted its history in response to the clamoring of a woke mob. Italian-Americans had as much standing to complain about it as did the protestors reacting to the killing of an arrestee in Minnesota.” He continued, “This decision is shameful.” I stated, “Mayor Justin Elicker and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro betrayed the Italian community when they chose lawlessness over history.” Regarding next steps, I added, “The IADL and Ralph Marcarelli will consider all options in our pursuit of justice.” You can read the court’s decision using this Courthouse News link. Bloomberg Law also covered the news story.

The last time a Republican won a mayoral election in New Haven was 1953 when William Celentano defeated Richard C. Lee. With one party rule for more than 70 years, a political resolution to return the Columbus statue to its plinth was unattainable. As a result, the Italian American community sought a legal solution to the unjust removal of the Christopher Columbus statue which stood for 128 years. First, Attorney Patricia Cofrancesco, representing Louis Pane and the Italian-American Group of New Haven, filed an injunction to stop Mayor Justin Elicker’s order to remove the statue. The day of the statue’s removal, approximately fifty to one hundred Italian Americans rallied against the statue’s removal in Wooster Square Park but were ignored by Elicker. Second, American Italian Women of Greater New Haven filed a lawsuit to return the statue claiming discrimination. Third, Ralph Marcarelli, an attorney and Wooster Square resident, filed a lawsuit with IADL against Elicker and the City of New Haven. Mayor Justin Elicker ignored the public outcry of Italian Americans. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in 1963, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Mayor Justin Elicker didn’t stop with only an affront against Italians. The Knights of Columbus advocated for the importance of keeping Columbus Day in New Haven in 2019 and 2020. Despite the efforts of these Catholic men and KofC spokeswoman Victoria Verderame, the New Haven Board of Education renamed the Columbus Family Academy school and changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day in June 2020 on the public school's calendar. The city council designated the second Monday of October, “Italian Heritage Day” in September 2020, stripping the holiday of its Catholic identity. On July 15, 2020, St. Joseph’s Church was vandalized in New Haven. Mayor Elicker was virtually silent on this attack on Catholics in New Haven. How can Italian Americans of New Haven and its suburbs hold an anti-Italian and anti-Catholic mayor accountable?

Political Solution – Steve Orosco for Mayor of New Haven

Do New Haveners feel their city is safe? Are New Haven schools failing? How affordable is New Haven? Does Mayor Elicker value the resident from the Hill as much as the provost from Yale? Why would Elicker want to move a methadone clinic to Long Wharf, real estate with great economic potential? Just like when removing the Columbus statue, Mayor Justin Elicker is used to acting as king, with sycophants at his side with open hands. Is this prep schoolboy really kind like the Democrats preach? He wasn’t kind to Native American Patrick Mason who advocated for Columbus Day as a Knight of Columbus. He wasn’t kind to the Italian protestors at Wooster Square Park. He wasn’t kind to the American Italian Women or Ralph Marcarelli. He certainly isn’t kind to the disenfranchised voters of New Haven who he continually ignores while handing the city over to Yale.

As a 501c4 nonprofit, Italian-American Defense League is designed to enter the political arena to promote its mission of honoring Italian American heritage. That ability sets us apart from other Italian heritage organizations. IADL will immediately examine the next steps in our legal path to victory; however, I challenge IADL’s board and members to consider engaging in political campaign activity, which we haven’t done before. Mayor Justin Elicker and the city mayors of Connecticut put Italian heritage in storage. And of course, the elephant in the room is Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. DeLauro could have single handedly put Elicker in his place, like a Headmistress scolding a schoolboy, but instead sold-out for her own political gain, and became appropriations chair in 2020.

Steve Orosco, endorsed by the Republican and Independant parties, is running for Mayor of New Haven this year. Elicker won the last election with only 9,700 votes. If Steve Orosco gets out his vote, he can win. Even if you are not from New Haven, visit his website to learn more and help his campaign.

Italian Heritage News

We the Italians Magazine - Online

“In this issue we talk about Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Piedmont, Umbria, Trentino Alto Adige, Tuscany, Apulia, Sicily, Veneto, Campania, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche and much much more.” - Editor & Founder Umberto Mucci

Columbus Day Survey

Fill out this Google form for We the Italians and vote to share your opinion that Columbus Day should stay a federal holiday.

Sliwa vows to bring Columbus statue to Staten Island to honor Italian Americans

The mayoral candidate and founder of the Guardian Angels wants to expand Columbus Day celebrations in an area full of Italians.

Celebrating the History and Culture of Italian Americans History in Boston

The City Council adopted a resolution officially recognizing October as Italian-American Heritage Month in the City of Boston.