July 6, 2012

A Look at the 2012 Procession of the Madonna del Carmine in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Ave Maria!
Yesterday, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and San Paolino Di Nola officially kicked off with a celebratory Mass at the beautiful Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Following the ceremony, the statue of the Madonna and Child was taken from the church and proudly carried through the neighborhood. Upon its return, the statue was placed in an alcove outside the church where she'll remain until the closing of the feast. This year marks the celebration's 125th anniversary. Buona Festa! 

Parishioners sing the Marian hymn Salve Regina
as the Madonna and Child are crowned
Emerging from the church with much fanfare
to the delight of the expectant crowd
The procession makes its way past the Giglio
Monsignor Joseph P. Calise and Bishop Frank J. Caggiano lead the way
Along the route the cavalcade passed Mt. Carmel Triangle. A bronze plaque memorializes the original Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which was torn down in 1947 to make way for Robert Moses' BQE
Restored statue of the Madonna and Child stands at Mt. Carmel Triangle
The procession makes its way back to the church
(Photos by New York Scugnizzo)