An Italian home in New York. Father Luigi between faith and inclusion

Culture, sport, solidarity and spirituality: Portarulo, a priest from Basilicata, talks about his mission. He has brought a vibrant and engaged Italian community back to the heart of life in Little Italy.

Father Luigi Portarulo, 39, a priest originally from Basilicata, has been in New York since the end of 2022. Formerly pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii and now at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Little Italy, he is the founder and president of the non-profit organisation Grow Together, but above all he is the driving force behind the 'rebirth' of the Italian community around the church in the Big Apple. His spiritual points of reference include Saint John Paul II, and he also has a great passion for sport.

Father Luigi, how do you build a Church that reaches out to people?

'I believe that a Church that reaches out to people is built first and foremost by being among them. I learned that lesson very early. At the age of twelve I arrived at the Vatican and had the grace of seeing Saint John Paul II's ministry up close. One of the things that struck me most was his ability to meet everyone: young people, older people, families, ordinary people and major public figures. He did not wait for others to take the first step. When I arrived in New York at the end of 2022, I tried to do the same. I realised that simply opening the church doors and waiting was not enough. We had to create opportunities to meet, listen to people, learn their stories and share their joys and difficulties. That is why today our community lives through the liturgy, but also through culture, charity, sport and many opportunities to come together. Faith grows through relationships. And a community grows when people feel welcomed and feel that they belong to a family.'

In New York you created Grow Together. What ideas is this experience based on?

'Grow Together grew out of a very concrete reality. When I arrived in New York, I met many Italians, young professionals, students, families and Italian Americans who deeply love their roots. Many of them were looking for a community, a point of reference, somewhere they could feel at home. From that experience came the idea of building something that went beyond ordinary parish activities. That is how the foundation's four pillars were created: education, charity, culture and sport. Sport, for example, has become an extraordinary tool for creating friendships and bringing in people who might otherwise never have entered a church. The same is true of language courses, cultural activities and solidarity initiatives. The greatest satisfaction is seeing people arrive for one activity and then become active participants in the life of the community.'

Your commitment is to strengthen the sense of belonging among Italians and Italian Americans. Which initiatives have been the most successful?

'The simplest ones. Masses for the Italian community, celebrations, dinners, cultural events, charity collections and even sporting activities. In New York I discovered something very beautiful: Italian Americans retain an extraordinary love for Italy. Many search for the village their grandparents came from, want to learn Italian, discover their own history and rediscover family traditions. When recently arrived Italians and Italian Americans meet, something special happens. A dialogue emerges between generations and between different experiences, enriching everyone.'

Was there a person who marked the beginning of your journey?

'Certainly Saint John Paul II. I was twelve when I arrived at the Vatican for the Jubilee of 2000 and had the opportunity to meet him and to experience his ministry up close. It profoundly shaped my life and vocation. I then had the grace of living for twenty-three years in the Vatican and also meeting Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Each of them taught me something important. If today I try to build bridges between people, trust young people and not be afraid of challenges, it is also because of what I learned from them.'

Looking at your own personal story, what is your experience in New York teaching you?

'It is teaching me that the Lord never stops surprising us. I was born in a small town in southern Italy. If someone had told me that I would live for twenty-three years in the Vatican and that one day I would be a priest in New York, I probably would not have believed them. New York is an extraordinary city. It constantly challenges you, but it also offers incredible opportunities. Every day I meet people from all over the world, with different stories and different paths. This helps me look at reality with more open eyes and understand that the Church still has a great deal to say when it knows how to listen and accompany people.'

What legacy would you like to leave to New York's Italian and Italian-American community?

'I would like to leave a community that continues to feel like a family. In a city like New York, everyone is constantly rushing and it is easy to feel alone. I would like our community always to be a place where a person can feel welcomed, listened to and loved. Structures pass, roles change, but what remains are the relationships built over time. If one day someone walks into the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral and says, "I felt at home here," then I will have achieved my goal.'

What message would you like to leave young people who are searching for their roots?

'I would tell them not to be afraid of their roots and not to be afraid of their dreams. Roots are not there so that we can look backwards with nostalgia. They give us a solid foundation from which to begin. I myself started out in a small town in southern Italy and the Lord took me to places I could never have imagined. That is why I always tell young people: dream big. Have the courage to leave, to study, to work hard, to make sacrifices and to build something beautiful for yourselves and for others. With faith, perseverance and passion, goals that seem impossible today can be achieved. And never forget that knowing your own history and roots is a treasure that will accompany you throughout your life.'