SS Cosma & Damiano

• About Us

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY of
SS COSMA AND DAMIANO

This society was formed in 1978 by its founder Joseph DeCandia, Sr. who had sent in from Italy, two life-size hand carved wooden statues of SS Cosma and Damiano.

The society began with Our Lady of Grace Parish and St. Helen’s Parish in Howard Beach.  Joining together to raise money for both schools and parishes, along with the society, they began a feast and procession in honor of the saints and were successful.

The society formed a non-profit organization in December, 1990.

Fund raisers are run annually by its members.  An annual dinner dance is held every year.  The profits are then donated to many organizations, primarily for children.

Since December, 1990 they have donated over $750,000 to St. Francis Hospital, in Long Island., St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Make-a-Wish Foundation, NAAR for Autism, local youth groups, two little leagues and numerous other worthwhile charities.

The founder has since passed away and his son Joseph continues in his footsteps along with the original board members, Mike Mannarino, Sal Pace and John Calcagnile.

♦

HOW THE DINNER DANCE CAME ABOUT

In the home of Joe and Clara DeCandia, in the corner of one room, enclosed in a glass case are 18” high statues of SS. Cosma and Damiano.  They have been there for years and they are never touched.

One day in January of 1991, Clara opened the case to clean the glass door.  She looked at the Saints and noticed the hands on both statues were broken away from their arms.  Since no one goes near these saints or touches them, she became very upset.  Her first thought was that something was going to happen; the saints were trying to tell them something.  She stood there trying to find something good in this.  The thought came to mind that they might be looking for help and literally "needed a hand".

The International Society of SS. Cosma & Damiano had begun in November 1990.  She thought “Why not have the Society do something to raise money and donate this money to a hospital?"  This would spread the names and works of the saints who were renowned as holy doctors who helped humanity.

Then Clara glued the hands to their arms and telephoned Joe.  She explained what had happened and he was upset by the news.  She continued to explain her idea.  He brought the idea to the Board of Directors and they agreed it was a good idea.  They began researching hospitals.

After presenting all researched information to the board members they voted on St. Francis Hospital.

The board members met with the Vice President of External Affairs, Mr. Joseph Savage of St. Francis Hospital.  He thought their idea was generous and that St. Francis could use any and all funding.

The board members decided they would donate to research and technology.  That is how this dinner dance came about in April, 1991.

With the results of this dinner dance along with last year’s donation, a plaque will be placed on an intensive care unit in honor of the International Society of SS. Cosma & Damiano and the generosity of its benefactors.

Thank you all for making this idea possible!

♦

MONSIGNOR FRANCIS J. EVANS
Society Co Chaplain

Monsignor Evans who was then pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Howard Beach on 100th Street and 159th Avenue.
He was very instrumental in running the SS. Cosma & Damiano Feast each year in Howard Beach.  He also wrote the words to a hymn in honor of the Saints and dedicated this hymn to Joe and Clara DeCandia in appreciation for all they have done.  The musical arrangement was by his organist, Joseph J. Bartolozzi.

Click on the image below for the full screen view.

Board of Directors
Founder:  Joseph DeCandia, Sr.
President:  Joseph DeCandia, Jr.
Vice President:  Mike Mannarino
Secretary:  John Calcagnile
Treasurer:  Sal Pace
Chairperson:  Clara DeCandia
Recording Secretary:  Stella Pepi