Feast of San Calogero

Viva San Calò!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

June 18th is the Feast Day of San Calogero, the Calcedonian hermit and miracle maker. Widely venerated throughout Sicily, he is one of the principal patrons of Sciacca (AG), Torretta (PA), San Salvatore di Fitalia (ME), and Agrigento (AG), among others. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a Prayer to San Calogero. The accompanying photo of the statue of San Calogero was taken at the Societá San Calogero di Torretta clubhouse (7520 20th Ave.) in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Prayer to San Calogero

O glorious San Calogero, turn your gaze to us and hear our prayer. You have been sent by God to radiate in Sicily the light of the Gospel. You served with penance to seek God in the solitude. You taught the way of salvation and virtue. All call upon thee miracle worker, because by your intercession God gave speech to the dumb, health to the sick, hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. Save us from danger and grant the graces we ask of you. Amen

New Music – Letizia Belmondo: Neapolitan Songs and Famous Melodies

New music that may be of interest to our readers.

• Neapolitan Songs & Famous Melodies featuring Letizia Belmondo

Label: Tactus
Release Date: July 6, 2018
Audio CD: $16.99
Number of Discs: 1

Available at Amazon.com

Read description

Happy Father's Day!

My paternal Grandfather

In celebration of Father's Day I'm sharing a poem by Giuseppe Jovine from Dialect Poetry of Southern Italy: Texts and Criticism (A Trilingual Anthology) edited by Luigi Bonaffini, Legas, 1997, p.162.

My Father's Ties

So many ties laid out, tassels and bows

all made of cotton, of light wool or silk,

rose-colored, deep blue or red and black,

hanging inside the closet in neat rows.

Mount Vesuvius's plume of smoke, and the sea

of Margellina on a picture landscape,

then a bridge and a river on a crease

underneath the Pope wearing his skullcap.

At every knot upon those colored neckties

my father's hands blossomed into flowers,

at every knot upon those colored neckties

in a brightly-lit room before a mirror

those hands played music on an instrument.

Now all those neckties with so many colors

seem instruments that lie bereft of sound.

Translated by Luigi Bonaffini

Le cravatte de tata

Quanta cravatte, schiocche e nucchetelle

de seta, de cuttone e de lanetta,

roscie e nere, turchine e rusatelle

appise 'n fila dentr'a la tuletta!

A 'na targhetta lu pennacchie 'e fume

du Vesuvie e lu mare a Margellina,

a nu resvolte nu ponte e nu sciume

sott'a lu Papa che la papalina.

A ogne nude de chille cravatte

ievene sciure le mane de tata,

a ogne nude de chille cravatte

'nnanz'a lu specchie na stanza lucente

sunavene lle mane nu strumente!

Tutte chille cravatte culurate

mò parene struminte senza fiate.

da Lu pavone, 1983

Announcing the 2018 Giglio Feast of San Paolino Di Nola in Franklin Square, Long Island

www.sanpaolino.org

Viva Sant'Antonio! A Look at the 2018 Feast of St. Anthony of Padua in SoHo, New York

Wednesday evening the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua (154 Sullivan St.)
celebrated its Titular Feast with a solemn Mass and procession

Before and after Mass, devotees venerate our glorious patron

(Above & below) After Mass, celebrants venerate the relics of Saint Anthony 

Pastor Fr. Mario Julian proffered a relic for veneration

The beautiful high altar with statue of St. Anthony
receiving the apparition of the Infant Jesus 

Marble and bronze statuary outside the church

(L) The statue of the Saint is placed on a flatbed. (R) Devotees offer donations 

The procession wends its way through the neighborhood

Our new friends Theresa and Angela devoutly walked barefoot 

Members of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza show their support 

Afterward, we visited Song' e Napule Pizzeria for our celebratory meal

I enjoyed a delicious plate of Paccheri alla Genovese,
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Also see:
• A Look at the 2017 Festa di Sant'Antonio da Padova in Soho, New York
• A Look at the 2016 Festa di Sant’Antonio da Padova in SoHo, New York
• A Look at the 2015 Festa di Sant’Antonio da Padova in SoHo, New York
• A Look at the 2014 Festa di Sant'Antonio da Padova in Soho, New York

Happy Birthday Princess Beatrice di Borbone!

HRH was born in Saint-Raphaël, France on June 16, 1950

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

Il Regno would like to extend our warmest birthday wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Dame Grand Cross of Justice and Grand Prefect of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. We pray that mercy and goodness will accompany you today and for the rest of the year. Auguri Altezza Reale!

Announcing the Vigil of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in East Harlem, New York

Feast of San Vito Martire

Viva San Vito!

June 15th is the Feast day of San Vito Martire (St. Vitus the martyr). One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, San Vito is invoked against neurological disorders (e.g. Saint Vitus Dance), rabies and animal attacks. He is also the patron saint of epileptics, dancers and actors. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal protector of Aquilonia (AV), Mazara del Vallo (TP), Ciminna (PA), Forio (NA), San Vito sullo Ionio (CZ), Regalbuto (EN), and Torella die Lombardi (AV), among others. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a Prayer in Honor of Saint Vitus. The accompanying photo was taken at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Montclair, New Jersey.

Prayer in Honor of Saint Vitus

Grant us, O God, through the intercession of St. Vitus, a due estimation of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ; so that, for its salvation, we bear all trials with fortitude. Give this Thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a guide and protector to Christian youths, that following his example they may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Look at the 2018 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Viva San Vito!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Members of the Congrega San Vito di Ciminna
prepare the vara for Sunday's procession

Sashes and cummerbunds were distributed to members

(L) San Vito departs the clubhouse. (R) Donations are pinned on to the saint

Getting ready to start the procession outside the clubhouse (7712 18th Ave.)

Young participants carry the flags  

(Above & below) The procession saunters through the neighborhood

Devotees in the train of the saint didn't allow
the lousy weather to dampen their holiday spirit

The Tony Neglia Band

Also see:
• A Look at the 2017 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2016 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2015 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2014 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2013 Festa di San Vito Martire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Announcing the 2018 Saint Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts

Evviva San Giovanni! A Look at the 3rd Annual Feast of St. John in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

St. Stephen's sanctuary is adorned with flowers and streamers for Sunday's Feast of San Giovanni Battista, patron saint of Pozzallo, Sicily 

Arriving early, I made my usual intercessory prayers to the saints
for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors.
(L-R) La Madonna dell'Arco, Santa Rita and Santa Rosalia

After Mass, the Pozzallesi, who are celebrating their society's 99th Anniversary, carry their beloved patron out of the church

Members of the Society of the Citizens of Pozzallo United take a commemorative photo outside Sacred Hearts — St. Stephen Church (125 Summit St.) 

The color guard proudly led the way

The crucifer and acolytes follow suit 

Celebrant Fr. Salvatore, visiting from Pozzallo, Sicily, was accompanied by Pastor Msr. Guy Massie and dutiful servers

(Above & below) The procession saunters through the neighborhood

The procession comes to a close at the society clubhouse,
located on Citizens of Pozzallo Way, aka Henry St.

 The statue was rested in front of the clubhouse 

Inside, we were treated to an amazing buffet dinner

(Above & below) The clubhouse is decorated with an array of Pozzallese and Sicilian armorial bearings and other heraldic devices 

(Above & below) Partygoers enjoy a festive block party outside the clubhouse 

Revelers trip the light fantastic to musical stylings of Charlie Romo
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Also see:

• A Look at the 2nd Annual Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

Malta Walks NYC (June 2018)

This Tuesday, June 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@orderofmaltaamerican.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

Also see:
• Walking the Walk: Chef Giuseppe Marrone Helps Provide Meals for the Homeless
• NYC Auxiliary Malta Walk, April 2018
• Tuesday Trifecta: Tuesday Stations, 13 Tuesdays of Saint Anthony, and 3rd Tuesday of the Month Malta Walk
• Order of Malta Lenten Supply Drive a Success
• NYC Auxiliary Malta Walk, February 2018
• A Week in Review
• NYC's Auxiliary Malta Walk, December 2017
• Auxiliary Malta Walk in NYC, October 2017
• Auxiliary Malta Walks in NYC, July 2017
• Supporting the “Malta Walks” Street Ministry

Announcing the 2018 Festa Della Madonna Delle Grazie, Ridgewood, New York

Viva Sant’Antonio! A Look at the 2018 Feast of St. Anthony of Padua in Bath Beach, Brooklyn

Saturday, June 9th: Sant'Antonio stands outside the Grumo Appula Society Clubhouse (8729 20th Ave.) in Bath Beach, Brooklyn 

(Above & below) Stephen LaRocca offers a new gold chain to Sant'Antonio 

"Viva Sant'Antonio!" 

Devotees pin donations on to the ribbons

The color guard lead the procession through the neighborhood

(Above & below) Along the way, volunteers distribute loaves of blessed bread

The procession saunters down Benson Avenue 

Bells toll for Saint Anthony at Saint Finbar Church (138 Bay 20th St.)

(Above & below) The kids happily take part in the tradition 

(Above & below) In the final stretch,
devotees carried the statue back to the clubhouse 

Before Mass, members pose for a commemorative photo
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Also see:
• Viva Sant’Antonio! A Look at the 2017 Feast of St. Anthony of Padua in Bath Beach, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2015 Festa di Sant'Antonio in Bath Beach, Brooklyn
• A Look at the 2014 Festa di Sant'Antonio in Bath Beach, Brooklyn