Celebrating the 11th Annual Feast of the Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (Part 2)

The Procession

Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

A look at Saturday’s 11th Annual Feast of Madonna Addolorata at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. (See part 1, The Coronation, and part 3, Mass and Dinner Party)

After the coronation, the procession left the church grounds with members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata carrying a processional canopy and statue of the Blessed Mother 

(Above & below) The procession makes its way down Bay Parkway 

The color guard lead the way

(Above & below) There was plenty of pomp and pageantry

A couple of enthusiastic flag twirlers

(Above & below) A sea of black and gold saunters through the neighborhood

Devotees pray and sing hymns

A good time was had by all

(Above & below) Dressed to the nines, the men take turns carrying the statue

The Metropolitan Festival Band

Water was generously offered to participants along the way

After a couple of hours the procession makes its way back to St. Athanasius

Outside the church, members pose for a commemorative photo

We return to St. Athanasius for Mass

Feast of Sant’Eustachio Martire

Viva Sant'Eustachio!

September 20th is the Feast Day of Sant’Eustachio Martire, patron saint of gamekeepers. Venerated across southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA), Matera (MT), Campo di Giove (AQ), Ischitella (FG), Scanno (AQ), Tocco da Casuria (PE), San Cipriano Picentino (SA), Sesto Campano (IS), and Montoro (AV), among others. To commemorate the occasion, I’m posting a prayer to Sant’Eustachio Martire. The accompanying photo was taken at St. Francis of Paola Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Prayer to Sant’Eustachio Martire

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of Sant’Eustachio Martire may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of Sant’Eustachio protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Celebrating the 11th Annual Feast of the Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (Part 1)

The Coronation

Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

A look at Saturday’s 11th Annual Feast of the Madonna Addolorata at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. (See part 2, The Procession, and part 3, Mass and Dinner Party)

Members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata
emerge from the church with the statue

Soprano Cristina Fontanelli sings Ave Maria in Latin and Italian

Pastor Msgr. David Cassato leads us in prayer

Monsignor blesses the newly acquired crown from Napoli 

Monsignor blesses the ten-year-old statue and attendees 

Monsignor places the crown on the statue

Monsignor offers the keys of the church to the Blessed Mother
Photo courtesy of Josephine DiDonna

(Above & below) Unable to contain their enthusiasm,
participants shoot confetti canons and giant sparklers

Confetti rains down on the celebrants 

Devotees release balloons into the sky  

Children dress up like the Blessed Mother

After the coronation, the procession is ready to begin

(Above & below) The procession departs the church grounds  

Devotees carry a processional canopy & the statue of the Blessed Mother 

The procession makes its way down Bay Parkway 

The color guard lead the way

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 the now-closed rectory of the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (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

Announcing the 2018 Feast of Sant'Amato di Nusco in Long Island City, New York

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, NYC

Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

A look at Saturday's Missa Cantata for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) in Little Italy, New York. The Mass was sponsored by the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny.

(Above & below) Mass was celebrated by Fr. Richard Cipolla

A transcript of Fr. Cipolla's sermon can be found
at the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny website sthughofcluny.org

 Most Precious Blood's Pietà