Among the best kept secrets of the mafia, the induction ceremony was one that has evaded the knowledge of the common man for decades. Finally in 1960s, the testimony offered by Joe Valachi brought out the real truth. The induction process marked the joining of the potential mobster in the family and then on the pay was increased as well as other allowances were made available to him. The mafia induction ceremony was followed by all mafia families, Sicilian or American alike.

The Ceremony

The circumstance in which the induction took place varied, for instance during the time of war between families, the recruits were quickly inducted into the family, or the ceremony could also have taken place inside prisons. The gangster who was to be inducted in to the family was asked to “dress up” for the occasion and then he would be seated next to the boss amidst the presence of other Mafioso. The oath of loyalty was recited and the person was asked to stand up.

The Initiation

A piece of burning paper or in some cases the picture of Mary Magdalene was placed into the bare palm of the person being inducted. Certain sources tell that the picture or paper was first smeared with the blood from the trigger finger of the person and then it was burned. The elder members or the boss would then remind him of the law of Omerta or the law of silence, which if violated would result in the burning of his soul like the burning picture of the saint.

The Criteria

There are certain criteria that had to be fulfilled before the person’s name was put forward or considered for induction. He had to be proven worthy of the honour to be inducted in the group of “honoured men”. Quite simply, the person had to be of Italian parentage, he must have a penchant for making money, have inclination in disobeying the law of the country and bears the power to intimidate.

The Hurdles

The men had to pass the Commission. During the 1920s to 30s, the families were constantly at war and new recruits could easily kill the members of the other families. The Commission required all the new recruits to be known among all families, this made it easier to identify the prospective but other families would know about it too, so there was the lure to become a “made man” as well a constant fear of death.

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