To Everyone: Respectfully wondering, in light of information, etc., that the Philadelphia Family has conducted initiation ceremonies this century, I was wondering if anyone on this Forum knew what the ceremony comprised, e.g. traditional burning of the saint card, private conversation only, meeting with other members only, dinner, etc. Looking forward to your replies.
Regards,
BeatiPaoli
Question Philadephia Initiation Ritual
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BeatiPaoli
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Re: Question Philadephia Initiation Ritual
There is a pretty well known ceremony that was recorded by a rat, Persiano. You should be able to find the information pretty easily.
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chin_gigante
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Re: Question Philadephia Initiation Ritual
There’s only a couple of detailed accounts of Philadelphia induction ceremonies this side of 2000, and both stem from recorded conversations.
In 2010, Gambino member Nick Stefanelli recorded Scoops Licata and Lou Fazzini discussing Fazzini’s initiation a few years earlier. Fazzini and Eric Esposito were made by Joe Ligambi at an old meat market after hours. Anthony Staino drove Licata and Fazzini to the location, and they had Fazzini wait downstairs until he was called for. Michael Lancellotti arrived with Esposito, but Ligambi decided to induct Fazzini first. Ligambi went to prick Fazzini’s finger with a pin, but it didn’t work so he used a knife and blood splashed all over Ligambi, Licata, and Fazzini. Once Esposito was inducted as well, they had a meal to celebrate.
In October 2015, the available excerpts of the transcript of Anthony Persiano’s recording indicate a gun and a knife were used in the ceremony. Once everyone was inducted, they tied in, did introductions, and talked about the rules. The group then went to Angelo Lutz’s restaurant Kitchen Consigliere to eat.
Nothing as far as I can remember has come out so far as to what (if anything) was burned in the hands of the inductees during the two ceremonies referenced above. On that note however, there is an interesting history of Philadelphia using alternatives to the traditional holy card or image of a saint.
When Phil Leonetti was inducted into the family in 1980, tissue paper was used. In one of the many documentary interviews he has given, he recalled that boss Phil Testa specifically told him, ‘I want you to make believe this piece of tissue paper is a picture of a saint.’
Other ceremonies from the Nicky Scarfo era followed this pattern. Peter Caprio testified that at his 1982 ceremony, a ‘paper towel’ was burned in his hand. Nick Caramandi, like Leonetti, recalled tissue paper being used at his initiation. When George Fresolone wore a wire to his ceremony in 1990, toilet tissue was used as a substitute.
Holy cards were burned in the initiation held by John Stanfa in May 1993 for Sergio Battaglia, Frank Martines, and Raymond Esposito. Battaglia was inducted first, then Martines, but at that point they realised they only had two cards, so Esposito didn’t get one. It wasn’t specified what was done for Esposito.
Later in 1993, Stanfa inducted John Veasey and Vincent Filipelli in a hotel room and burned toilet paper in their hands.
When testifying about the ceremony during Merlino’s 2001 trial, Ralph Natale discussed how a holy card would be used.
When Bobby Luisi was asked on the stand if a holy card was burned during his ceremony, however, he responded, ‘No, we don’t do that in our family.’
In 2010, Gambino member Nick Stefanelli recorded Scoops Licata and Lou Fazzini discussing Fazzini’s initiation a few years earlier. Fazzini and Eric Esposito were made by Joe Ligambi at an old meat market after hours. Anthony Staino drove Licata and Fazzini to the location, and they had Fazzini wait downstairs until he was called for. Michael Lancellotti arrived with Esposito, but Ligambi decided to induct Fazzini first. Ligambi went to prick Fazzini’s finger with a pin, but it didn’t work so he used a knife and blood splashed all over Ligambi, Licata, and Fazzini. Once Esposito was inducted as well, they had a meal to celebrate.
In October 2015, the available excerpts of the transcript of Anthony Persiano’s recording indicate a gun and a knife were used in the ceremony. Once everyone was inducted, they tied in, did introductions, and talked about the rules. The group then went to Angelo Lutz’s restaurant Kitchen Consigliere to eat.
Nothing as far as I can remember has come out so far as to what (if anything) was burned in the hands of the inductees during the two ceremonies referenced above. On that note however, there is an interesting history of Philadelphia using alternatives to the traditional holy card or image of a saint.
When Phil Leonetti was inducted into the family in 1980, tissue paper was used. In one of the many documentary interviews he has given, he recalled that boss Phil Testa specifically told him, ‘I want you to make believe this piece of tissue paper is a picture of a saint.’
Other ceremonies from the Nicky Scarfo era followed this pattern. Peter Caprio testified that at his 1982 ceremony, a ‘paper towel’ was burned in his hand. Nick Caramandi, like Leonetti, recalled tissue paper being used at his initiation. When George Fresolone wore a wire to his ceremony in 1990, toilet tissue was used as a substitute.
Holy cards were burned in the initiation held by John Stanfa in May 1993 for Sergio Battaglia, Frank Martines, and Raymond Esposito. Battaglia was inducted first, then Martines, but at that point they realised they only had two cards, so Esposito didn’t get one. It wasn’t specified what was done for Esposito.
Later in 1993, Stanfa inducted John Veasey and Vincent Filipelli in a hotel room and burned toilet paper in their hands.
When testifying about the ceremony during Merlino’s 2001 trial, Ralph Natale discussed how a holy card would be used.
When Bobby Luisi was asked on the stand if a holy card was burned during his ceremony, however, he responded, ‘No, we don’t do that in our family.’
'You don't go crucifying people outside a church; not on Good Friday.'
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BeatiPaoli
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Re: Question Philadephia Initiation Ritual
To Mike68 and Chin_Gigante: Thank you for the quick replies and information! Deeply appreciated.
Regards,
BeatiPaoli
Regards,
BeatiPaoli