Feast of San Matteo

Viva San Matteo!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 21st is the Feast Day of San Matteo (Saint Matthew), patron saint of Salerno. In commemoration, I'm posting a prayer in honor of Saint Matthew. The accompanying photo of San Matteo was taken at the Basilica Santa Trofimena in Minori. 

Prayer to Saint Matthew

O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant. Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with him in heaven. Amen

Traditional Masses for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel

Photo courtesy of the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny

Friday September 29th, the Feast of St. Michael

1) Shrine of the Most Precious Blood, 113 Baxter St., New York, NY, Solemn Mass, 7:15 pm. Sponsored by the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.

2) St. Francis Xavier Church, 1703 Lurting Avenue, the Bronx, Solemn Mass, 7 pm. information. From the pastor: “This is the first Traditional Mass at Saint Francis since the council. Any publicity that can be given for this event would be very helpful. I have hopes that this will become a regular part of our parish life.”

3) St. Mary Church, Greenwich, CT. Traditional Vespers at 7:30 pm followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Also coming up: Two Solemn Pontifical Masses in October

1) Saturday, October 14, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson, NJ., 9:30 am. Celebrant, Most Reverend Arthur Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson. information

2) Thursday, October 19, St. Mary Church, Norwalk, CT.  Conference at 5:30 pm, Solemn Pontifical Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider at 7:30 pm. information

Source: The Society of St. Hugh of Cluny

A Look at the 10th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Evviva Maria!
Photos courtesy of Anthony Scillia

Thank you Tony for sharing your wonderful pictures of the 10th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata, celebrated Saturday, September 16th at St. Athanasius Church, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Evviva Maria!

Check out the latest Tweets from Anthony Scillia at Tony Mangia (@TonyAtTheTable) | Twitter or visit his personal blog At the Table with Tony

The Procession departs St. Athanasius Church

(L) Looking dapper, members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese
Figli Maria SS. Addolorata take turns carrying the statue.
(R) The LaRocca men partake in the joyous festivities

(Above & below) A sea of black and gold
wended its way through the neighborhood

Members of the Joseph B. Cavallari Council of the
Knights of Columbus show their support

Also see:
• Evviva Maria! A Look at the 9th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• Evviva Maria! A Look at the 8th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• Bensonhurst, Brooklyn's 7th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Pictures
• A Look at the 6th Annual Festa di Maria SS. Addolorata, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• Saint A's Christmas Extravaganza
• Honoring Our Lady of Sorrows at Saint Athanasius
• A look at the 4th Annual Festa di Maria SS. Addolorata, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Feast of Santa Cándida Martire

Evviva Santa Cándida!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 20th is the Feast Day of Santa Cándida, Virgin and Martyr. Not to be confused with Santa Cándida la Vecchia (celebrated on Sept. 4th in Naples), she is the patroness of fishermen, farmers and Ventotene, an island in the Gulf of Gaeta. According to tradition, in the fourth century a group of Christian captives (including the young Cándida) were deported from Carthage to the Isle of Ponza, where they were tortured and put to death. Cast into the sea, her body was discovered on September 20th at the Cala Pozzillo in neighboring Ventotene. 

With the ascension of Charles of Bourbon to the Neapolitan throne, the Pontine Archipelago (Ponza, Ventotene, etc.) was entrusted to him on June 15, 1734 by his mother Elisabetta Farnese. The islands were subsequently colonized with citizens from Campania and in 1774 the Bourbons completed construction of a church dedicated to Santa Cándida. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a Prayer to Santa Cándida. The accompanying photo was taken at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary and Saint Stephen's Church in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Prayer to Santa Cándida

O Glorious Santa Cándida, Virgin, Martyr and our merciful Patron, I implore your intercession with confidence. Watch with equally pitiful eye my spiritual and physical infirmities. Do not forsake me, listen to the voice of my heart, and give me your help and your protection. Amen

Sophia Loren – A Living Symbol of Art

Sophia Loren in Athens

By Niccolò Graffio

The late philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand defined art as “…a selective recreation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value-judgments.” Since early modern humans first appeared in Europe approx. 40,000 years ago, mankind has “selectively recreated reality” in numerous ways for many different purposes.

Many early civilizations, like Ancient Egypt and Minoan Crete, produced artworks (now mostly in museums) which continue to amaze people to this day. Each culture developed their own style of art.

It was the Greeks of the Hellenic Age, however, who were the first to venerate the human body and to develop the skills necessary to correctly recreate the human form down to minute detail. The Greeks, like the Romans after them, were especially fond of venerating the female human form. Perhaps no artwork better exemplified this than the famous statue “Aphrodite of Cnidus” by Praxiteles. After the fall of Rome, this veneration would not be seen again in Western art until the Age of the Renaissance. Continue reading

Celebrating the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Programs for the Mass

In mari miserie, maris stella, errantes cotidie a procella, defende nos et precare Dominum pie, ut ad portas gloriæ nos trahat per hoc mare. — In mari miserie, Offertory Motet (Anonymous, French 12th Cent.)*

Friday evening, I joined about forty pilgrims at Holy Name of Jesus Church (245 Prospect Park West) in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn for the Missa Cantata for Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Arriving early, I made my usual intercessory prayers for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors and Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Tomasz Szczepanczyk, who spoke at length during his sermon about the importance of the Blessed Mother and her role as the new Eve. Servers Eddy Toribio (MC), Robert Jurman, Brian Hilley and Arrus Ortañez dutifully assisted Fr. Tomasz.

As always, the Ordinary of the Mass and motets performed by Director and organist David Adam Smith and choir—Nathaniel Adams, Art Bryan Manabat, Philip Cheah, and Peter Walker—gloriously filled the nave.

Thank you Rev. Lawrence D. Ryan, Pastor and all the Parish staff and congregation for your warm hospitality. Special thanks to Cindy Brolsma and organizers for your hard work and dedication. Once again, it was a privilege to celebrate our faith together. 

The next Latin Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church will be celebrated on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00pm for the First Sunday of Advent.

* In a sea of misery, Star of the Sea, staggering daily by the storm, defend us and pray to our sweet Lord, that to the gates of glory He may draw us from this sea.

Feast of San Gennaro

Viva San Gennaro!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

September 19th is the Feast Day of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples. To commemorate the occasion, I'm posting a Prayer to San Gennaro. The accompanying photos were taken at Most Precious Blood Church (109 Mulberry Street), the national shrine of San Gennaro, located in New York City's historic Little Italy.

Prayer to San Gennaro

O Great San Gennaro, valiant athlete of Jesus Christ and Patron Saint of Naples, we have recourse to your powerful intercession, especially during times of disaster! With grateful hearts we acknowledge your constant readiness to help your fellow citizens and those devoted to you in times of need. With the assurance of being heard, we implore you to obtain God's mercy for us. Protect us from the scourge of spreading disbelief. Free us from all evils and dangers that threaten us from every side. May the faith for which you sacrificed your life produce in our midst, through your prayers, the good works which the Lord our God can rightfully expect from His servants. Amen

Photo of the Week: Marble Statue of San Gennaro, Museo del Duomo di Ravello, Salerno

Marble statue of San Gennaro, Museo del Duomo di Ravello, Salerno
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Healing Mass in Honor of St. Padre Pio in Newark, New Jersey

Around the Web: San Gennaro 2017

Photo courtesy of St. Hugh of Cluny Society

Reprinted from The Society of St. Hugh of Cluny

We at the St. Hugh of Cluny Society sponsored a Solemn Mass yesterday at the historic church of the Most Precious Blood in New York, for the start of the festival of San Gennaro. Fr Richard Gennaro Cipolla was the celebrant; Fr. Chris Salvatori served as deacon; Will Haffey as subdeacon. Bill Riccio was master of ceremonies and David Hughes conducted the splendid music. The Sacred Constantinian Military Order of Saint George was present, maintaining their commitment to Italian culture and to the Traditional Liturgy. We thank Msgr. Donald Sakano, pastor of Old St. Patrick’s, for his invitation to the shrine church of the Most Precious Blood. Continue reading

Feast of San Sabino Martire

Viva San Sabino!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 18th is the Feast Day of San Sabino, martyr and patron of Sanza, Salerno. In commemoration I'm posting a Prayer in Italian to San Sabino.* The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Francis of Paola Church (219 Conselyea Street) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Preghiera A San Sabino Martire

O invitto o Martire intemerato San Sabino che sacrificare la Tua vita per confessare la Tua potente fede nel verbo incarnato ottienimi dal Signore la grazia di essere con Te disposto a soffrire per amor suo qualunque affronto anzichè perdere una sola delle virtu cristiane.

O mio protettore, degnati di intercedere presso il Trono dell' Altissimo affinché volga su di me, pentito peccatore, i Suoi occhi di misericordia e mi aiuti nei bisogni spirituali e temporali. Amen

* Prayer courtesy of the San Sabino Society of Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Solemn High Latin Mass and Veneration of the Relic of Sant'Elena di Laurino in East Harlem, New York

Malta Walks NYC (September 2017)

This Tuesday, September 19th at 7:30 PM join the Order of Malta Auxiliary for their monthly “Malta Walk” street ministry. Volunteers meet every third Tuesday of the month at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house at 263 Mulberry Street in lower Manhattan to prepare and distribute food to the homeless.

Anyone interested in supporting this noble endeavor can contact the Order of Malta Auxiliary at nycaux@orderofmaltaamerica.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

Also see:
• Supporting the “Malta Walks” Street Ministry

Celebrating Solemn Vespers for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

A look inside the beautiful Church of Our Saviour

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Crux fidelis, inter omnes, Arbor una nobilis: Nulla silva talem profert, Fronde, flore, germine: Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, Dulce pondus sustinet. Amen*

Thursday evening my confratelli of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and I had the great privilege of joining members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for Solemn Evening Prayer for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the beautiful Church of Our Saviour (59 Park Ave.) on Murray Hill in New York City. Mandatory observance for both Orders, the Feast celebrates the discovery of the True Cross in 320 by St. Helen, mother of St. Constantine the Great, and the dedication of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary in 335 by Emperor Constantine. 

Following Reverend Robert J. Robbins homily, members of the congregation had the extraordinary opportunity to approach the sanctuary and venerate the Relic of the True Cross. The sacred music was sung by director and organist Paul J. Murray, K.C.H.S., and the Choir of the Church of Our Saviour. They were absolutely phenomenal.

I wish to thank the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for inviting us to participate. Special thanks to Fr. Robbins, Reverend Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, the staff and congregation of the Church of Our Saviour for your warm hospitality. It was a tremendous pleasure to celebrate our faith with you. Evviva la Croce!

(Above & below) After Vespers, the Knights and Ladies
of the Holy Sepulcher process out of the church

(L) Cavs. Vincent Gangone and Charles Sant'Elia of the
Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George were in attendance.
(R.) Rev. Msgr. Hilary C. Franco with the Relic of the True Cross

* Faithful cross, above all other, One and only noble Tree, None in foliage, none in blossom, None in fruit thy peers may be. Sweetest wood and sweetest iron, Sweetest weight is hung on thee. Amen. — John IV, King of Portugal (1604-1656)

Announcing the 2017 Feast of Blessed Angelo D'Acri, New York City

The Warrior Prelate: Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo

Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo
b. Sept. 16, 1744—d. Dec. 13, 1827

By Giovanni di Napoli

Today we remember and honor the great counter-revolutionary hero Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo, the warrior prelate who liberated the Kingdom of Naples from Franco-Jacobin tyranny. 

When Napoleon’s Grande Armée invaded the Kingdom of Naples in December 1798 and installed the Jacobin satellite state (Repubblica Partenopea), Ruffo followed the Bourbon Royal Family to Palermo, Sicily. Named vicar-general on January 25th, 1799, the grey-haired Cardinal crossed the Strait of Messina to his native Calabria with just seven companions to recapture the Kingdom. 

On February 8th they landed at Punta del Mezzo in Reggio, Calabria. Armed with only a banner emblazoned with the royal coat-of-arms and a cross, Ruffo began to raise an army. Issuing an encyclical letter commanding the clergy and magistrates to preach the crusade, men from all walks of life readily rallied to defend their faith and traditions, and to restore their legitimate rulers, King Ferdinand IV and Queen Maria Carolina. In less than a month 17,000 Calabrese, including many soldiers from the disbanded Bourbon army, joined the burgeoning ranks of his Army of the Holy Faith (Sanfedisti). Continue reading

Announcing the 82nd Annual Feast of the Madonna Del Lume in San Francisco, California

For more info visit the Madonna del Lume Society of San Francisco on Facebook

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

Evviva Maria!

September 15th is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of Mola di Bari. In commemoration I'm posting "For the Sorrowful Lady" (Pi l'Addulurata), a prayer from Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated by Peppino Ruggeri.(*) The accompanying photo of Madonna Addolorata was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Chiesa dell'Addolorata in Sorrento. 

For the Sorrowful Lady

Of God you heavenly queen
Oh Mother in grief immersed
By you my soul be possessed
And from you a favor granted.

This ungrateful heart is ready
To be wounded and impaled
By your very holy sword.

Throughout my whole life
With sinning I delighted,
Now with sorrow weeping
Of my sins I am repenting,
I no longer want to sin
Better dead and by you consoled.

When to heaven your body ascends
With the precious power you hold
Shows its purity and its might
Mother forever hold me tight.

You must keep your eyes on me
As a mother watchful be,
If to us you are committed
God his pardon will provide
By this rosary that we recite
Glory we expect in paradise.

Who recites it three times a day
In high heaven with Mary will stay,
When at night three times is recited
From painful death one is released.

When for forty days is supplicated
From hell's pain one is liberated.
And who will proffer in sincere devotion
Prays a "credo" to his death and Passion.

(*) Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated into English by Peppino Ruggeri, Legas 2009, p.113-114

Announcing the 2017 Feast of Sant'Amato di Nusco in Long Island City, New York

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Crucifixion

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 14th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, recalling the Discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena in 320 and the dedication of the basilica and shrine on Calvary by Emperor Constantine in 335. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The accompanying photo of the Crucifixion was taken in 2010 in Vietri sul Mare, Salerno.

Prayer on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

O God, who willed that Your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth, may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Announcing the 118th Annual Feast of Saint Gerard, Newark, New Jersey

www.saintlucy.net

A Look at the 110th Anniversary Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Long Island City

Evviva Maria!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Scenes from Saturday’s 110th Anniversary Feast of the Madonna Addolorata di Pignataro Interamna at Saint Mary's RC Church (10-08 49th Avenue) in Long Island City, New York.

(Above & below) Family and friends come together
to honor our Sorrowful Mother

(L) A look at the High Altar inside St. Mary's RC Church.
(R) An ornate golden crown is placed on the Madonna's head 

The golden dagger and Sacred Heart of Mary

A large rose Rosary is draped around the statue

Images of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and flowers are placed at the foot of the Altar

After Mass, the color guard present the Blessed Mother to the expectant crowd

(L) Angela Cicillini had the great honor of being the crucifer.
(R) Ladies carry standards at the head of the procession

Departing St. Mary's 

The procession makes its way through the neighborhood

Reverend Ralph Barile and participants offer thanks and prayers
to New York's Finest...

...and New York's Bravest

Our Lady of Good Counsel Band

Also see:
• A Look at the 108th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Long Island City
• Long Island City's 107th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Pictures
• A Look at the 2013 Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Long Island City, New York

Terra Sangue Mare Announce Tour Dates for September

For full schedule visit www.michelamusolino.com/shows

Feast of the Madonna di Montevergine

Evviva Mamma Schiavona!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 12th is the Feast Day of the Madonna di Montevergine. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a Prayer to Our Lady of Montevirgine.* The accompanying photo was taken at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine of East Harlem, New York City.

Prayer to Our Lady of Montevergine

O Blessed Virgin who have deigned, centuries ago, to choose and consecrate Montevergine as your sanctuary, turn your eyes of mercy upon us kneeling at your feet, honoring you and invoking you in this Holy Image.

O most loving Mother of all the faithful, be always for each one of us a true Mother as you have been until now; and obtain for us the grace to be always your true, loving, respectful and devout children. – Hail Mary.

O Beneficent Treasure of divine graces, give us abundantly the favors we ask of you with confidence; you know well what are the many needs of our souls. – Hail Mary

O most powerful Advocate of poor sinners, assist us in dangers, fortify us in temptations and guard us from all sins; and do not cease to intercede with your Divine Son for the salvation of our souls. until you have led us with you into Heaven. Hail Mary

* The Prayer to Our Lady of Montevirgine was reprinted from  www.madonnadimontevergine.com

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

(Detail) King Jan III Sobieski by Jean Matejko, Vatican Museum
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

September 12th is the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Instituted in 1513 in the Spanish diocese of Cuenta, the Feast was extended in 1671 to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. Originally celebrated on the Sunday following the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, the Feast was transferred to September 12th (and extended to the Universal Church) by Pope Innocent XI after King Jan III Sobieski of Poland’s glorious victory against the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a prayer by Saint Alphonsus de Ligouri. The accompanying photo of King Jan III Sobieski was taken at the Vatican Museum.

Most Holy Name of Mary

O Great Mother of God and my Mother Mary, it is true that I am unworthy to salute thee, but thou who loves me and desires my salvation must, not withstanding the impurity of my tongue, grant that I may always invoke thy most holy and powerful name in my aid, for thy name is the succor of the living and the salvation of the dying. Ah, most pure Mary, most sweet Mary, grant that henceforth thy name may be the breath of my life. O Lady, delay not to help me when I invoke thee, for in all the temptations that assail me, and in all my wants, I will never cease calling on thee and repeating again and again, Mary, Mary. Thus it is that I hope to act during my life and more particularly at death, that after that last struggle I may eternally praise thy beloved name in Heaven, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Ah Mary, most amiable Mary, with what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness is my soul penetrated in only naming, in only thinking of thee! I thank my Lord and my God, Who for my good has given thee a name so sweet and deserving of love, and at the same time so powerful. But my sovereign Lady, I am not satisfied with only saluting thee, I wish to salute thee with love. I desire that my love may every hour remind me to call on thee, so that I may exclaim with St. Bonaventure, "O Name of the Mother of God, thou art my love." O my Beloved Jesus and my own dear Mary, may Thy most sweet names reign in my heart and in all hearts.  Grant that I may forget all others to remember and always invoke thy adorable names alone. Ah, Jesus, my Redeemer, and my Mother Mary, when the moment of death comes when I must breath forth my soul and leave this world, deign, through thy merits, to grant that I may then pronounce my last words, and that they may be: "I love Thee, O Jesus; I love thee, O Mary; to thee do I give my heart and my soul." Amen