Making your bones is the step to becoming a made man, one in the same, yet two different acts. For instance, using Rocco Lampone from the Godfather as an example, Rocco made his bones by carrying out the hit on Paulie Gatto, which we are shown in the movie, "leave the guns, take the cannolis" scene. Now Rocco has made his bones by killing Paulie for the Corleones and then went through
( we are not shown this, but this is how it's done ) a ceremony where he sits with The Godfather, his sponser, and several other made men. During this ceremony he is required to take the oath of omerta, swearing that the "family" will be his first priority in his life, that he gives his ever lasting loyalty to the family, etc.
Years ago becoming a made man was know as the blood oath where you would slit your finger, the Don would slit his, and you and the Don would "mix" your blood together becoming "one", now becoming a part of the family, also know as " one of us."
Several above had said that you had to be 100% Sicilian to become a "made member" of a family, and that was true years ago. But the rules were softened here in this country, and it became that as long as you were 100% Italian with your Father being Sicilian, then you could become a made man. Then as the years passed, they relaxed the rules even more, where all that was required was that you be 100% Italian.

If you are really interested in how the oath of omerta is taken, the ceremonies, etc. I suggest that you read "The Valachi Papers" it is the story of Joseph Valachi, who was probably one of the first turncoats against the mob. He appeared on Television during his hearings and testimonies ( the hearings in GFII are based on Valachis real life hearings ) and he gave a pretty vivd detail of how the ceremony,for becoming a made member, is carried out. This is in the book.


Don Cardi