The Objectives of the Order are:

  • Unite persons of Italian origin residing in Canada in a single entity.
  • Promote civic and moral education to its members.
  • Encourage the members towards recreational, cultural, social, sporting and other activities.
  • Entertain a good relationship with other associations, organizations, institutions and other cultural communities of Québec and Canada.
  • The emblem of the Order is a Gold Lion on a white background.
  • The motto of the Order is “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”.
  • The official languages of the Order are Italian, French and English.
  • The head office of the Order is located on the island of Montreal at the Casa d’Italia.
  • History

    Documentary “Cent’ anni ― Order Sons of Italy 1919-2019”
    Full version of the documentary on DVD + Commemorative book
    AVAILABLE FOR SALE
    Please contact us.

    THE ORDER OF THE SONS OF ITALY OF YESTERYEAR TO DATE

    The Order of the Sons of Italy was founded March 19th, 1919 and is closely linked, through their members, with the Casa d’Italia, the Madonna Della Difesa church (Notre Dame de la Défense) and Jean Talon Market (originally Shamrock Market). All these institutions are located in the Piccola Italia (Little Italy) and the links amongst them are still alive.

    The first immigrants arrived more than a hundred years ago and established themselves within that sector. The majority became members of the Order of the Sons of Italy.

    The presence of Italians in the area became sufficiently important to justify the construction of the Madonna Della Difesa church: the official opening held August 1st, 1919 definitely placed the Italian community in the urban scenery. The sector became known as ‘Piccola Italia’ (Little Italy).

    Since 1934, the Order of the Sons of Italy, have had their offices in the Casa d’Italia building, where they acted as a welcoming center. La Casa d’Italia became the meeting premises where the leaders of the era were busy supporting the members in finding work and also to help them integrate into the Montreal culture.

    Many members of the Order of the Sons of Italy, residing in the area of the Madonna Della Difesa parish, invested the fruit of their labour in establishing specialized businesses, grocery stores and restaurants. Next door, the farmers displayed their products at the Jean Talon Market.

    No doubt, Little Italy of yesteryear has changed quite a bit, today the different generations of immigrants have moved into other sectors of Montreal and the outskirts.

    Little Italy has become a symbol of perseverance and solidarity, where the first builders of the area make it a habit to regularly return for friendly encounters, watch a soccer game in groups while sipping a cappuccino.

    The Order of the Sons of Italy welcomes their members in their new offices located at the renovated Casa d’Italia.

    Our association, created by our forefathers, has existed for the past 93 years. It is the oldest Italian organization in Canada within the Italian colony. It is with the participation of the younger generation that we will ensure the future of our organization and celebrate its one hundred years of existence in 2019.

    Are you a member of the Order of the Sons of Italy? To become one call us at :

    (514) 271-2281




    Chronology of the Order Sons of Italy

      1905 Vincenzo Sellaro founded the Order Sons of Italy in the United States of America.
      1919 Sam D’Onofrio founded the lodge “Piave” of the Order Sons of Italy in Canada.
      1920 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Armando Diaz”.
      1921 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Giovanni Caboto”.
      1923 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Concordia Femminile”.
      1923 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Anita Garibaldi”.
      1925 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Galileo Galilei”.
      1929 Convocation of the Supreme Convention Order Sons of Italy in America held in Montreal.
      1929 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Monterosa”.
      1933 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Marche”.
      1934 The mayor of Montreal Camilien Houde donates a piece of land to the Order Sons of Italy in recognition for the support by the Italian community at his election.
      1934 The Order Sons of Italy donates that piece of land to the ”Organizzazione d’Unificazione”, la Casa d’Italia is therefore created.
      1936 Official opening of the Order Sons of Italy at the Casa d’Italia.
      1938 The Order Sons of Italy in Canada founded the lodge “Larinese Protettore St. Pardo”.
      1940 The RCMP arrested some of the members of the Order Sons of Italy and sequester the archives and a multitude of objects of the Casa d’Italia.
      1961 The municipal counsellor of the city of Montreal Alfredo Gagliardi is elected chief of the Order.
      1970 The “Folkloric Group of the Order“ is established.
      1975 The “Leone d'Oro al Merito” is established.
      2010 Reopening of the office of the Order Sons of Italy in the newly renovated Casa d’Italia.
      2011 The Order Sons of Italy organizied the exposition "bande Italiane à Montréal" at the Casa d'Italia.
      2012 Launching of our website.



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