Il Regno: May 2013

May 28, 2013

Announcing the 2013 Festa di San Cono, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

For more information the San Cono Society in Brooklyn, NY can be contacted on Facebook

May 27, 2013

A Look at NYC's 2013 Festa di Sant'Antonio da Padova

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Inside Most Precious Blood Church

Organized by the Society of Saint Anthony of Giovinazzo, Inc., the celebration will continue through Sunday, June 2nd. There will be a second procession on Saturday, June 1st at 7:00 PM.

Standard bearer leads the way

Exiting Most Precious Blood Church

The society's pride and joy

This year's Queen of the Festival, Michelle Fiorentino

Her first Feast!

The procession makes its way through the streets of Little Italy

This year's Grand Marshals

Adorable Franciscan with proud papa

The Queen and her court

Another look at the procession

Outdoor chapel on Mulberry Street

A look inside historic Most Precious Blood Church

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Most Precious Blood Church

109 Mulberry Street, NYC

(Between Broome St. and Spring St.)

Proceeds to benefit Most Precious Blood Church, Saint Jude Hospital, Sandy Storm Relief, Old Bridge High School, St. Anthony Novena, American Diabetes, St. Anthony of Padova Church, St. Rocco Society, Public School #75, C.F.S. Children Malformation, Communion of St. Anthony and Society of Pozzallo

* All schedules and activities are subject to change, so please check with organizers for any updates.

For more information visit the Society of Saint Anthony of Giovinazzo, Inc. on Facebook

Also see:

• A Look at NYC's Feast of Sant'Antonio da Padova

May 23, 2013

Chiara Ambrosio's 'Neapolitan Cult of the Dead' at Morbid Anatomy

Chiara Ambrosio at Morbid Anatomy

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

By Lucian

Recently we attended an event at Morbid Anatomy entitled The Neapolitan Cult of the Dead, an illustrated lecture by filmmaker/ animator Chiara Ambrosio with music accompaniment by Bird Radio.

In the past we have visited the topic in various articles, such as "Enigmatic Traditions" and "Parentalia," so we were eager to hear what the speaker had to say. Ms. Ambrosio was very interesting to talk to before the lecture even began. She was born in Southern Italy, but now lives in London. Passionate about her work in film, she explained that her ancestors were from Naples and Calabria and the lecture was part of her own cultural heritage.

After introducing herself the lecture began with the audience viewing photos with music. She did her best to recreate the tone and emotional atmosphere of Naples and the spiritual practices of its people and did well; but as she said, the best way to experience it is to actually go there. The images were both engaging and disturbing, not because of the tombs or the skulls of the dead underground, but because of the condition of the city of Naples in the land of the living. The images were real and held nothing back, it was beautiful and dirty, full of life but poor, a landscape of contradiction. However, even the ravages of time, poverty and brutal politics could not completely cover the majesty that Naples once was. The bones of the city’s past showed through as clearly as the polished bones of the dead underneath it.

Between the images she spoke about the city of Naples, the practices of its people and the spiritual aspects of the Cult of the Dead. Her narrative felt like poetry. She spoke of the seeming paradoxes in their spiritualism, a sense of the ancient, and their respect and reverence for their ancestors, who they believed were now in purgatory. By adopting the bones, caring for them and praying for their owner’s souls they hoped to help those souls reach Heaven, and in return the dead would help the living and their families. She also talked about Vesuvius. Living in the volcano’s shadow is living in the shadow of death, and yet the fertile soil brings life and livelihood. It gave us a lot to think about.

Afterward there was a question and answer period, and Chiara Ambrosio proved very knowledgeable not only about her chosen topic, but about the history and issues of Southern Italy in general. It was impressive. We spoke again after the questions were over. I was grateful for the opportunity to have met her, and I look forward to seeing her films. She is currently working on a documentary about the religious festivals of Verbicaro, Calabria and how they include both Pagan and Christian aspects.

May 22, 2013

Announcing the 2013 Feast of the Maddona del Sacro Monte, Clifton, New Jersey

Visit SOGNA—Societa Organizzata per Gioiesi in Nord America on Facebook

A look at the 2013 Feast of Our Lady of the Audience, Kansas City, Missouri

Viva Maria!

Photos courtesy of Robert Kearney

Our friend Robert from Kansas City was gracious enough to send us some wonderful pictures of this year's Feast of Our Lady of the Audience and we wanted to share them with you.

Our Lady of the Audience departing Holy Rosary Church

A canopy is raised above the statue,

which is then showered with rose petals

Devotees swab the statue with cotton balls and rose petals

After Mass parishioners celebrate with some sweets

A look inside beautiful Holy Rosary Church

For a YouTube video of this year's celebration click here

May 21, 2013

Announcing the 2013 Feast of Saint Anthony of Padova, NYC

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Sponsored by the Society of Saint Anthony of Giovinazzo

May 23rd – June 2nd

Most Precious Blood Church

109 Mulberry Street, NYC 10013

(Between Broome and Spring Streets)

Opening Day May 23rd

Music every night

Saturday, May 25th — Procession of St. Anthony with the members (3:00 PM)

Saturday, June 1st — Procession of St. Anthony (7:00 PM)

Sunday, June 2nd — Mass at Most Precious Blood Church (11:00 AM)

* All schedules and activities are subject to change, so please check with organizers for any updates.

For more information visit the Society of Saint Anthony of Giovinazzo, Inc. on facebook

Also see:

• A Look at NYC's Feast of Sant'Antonio da Padova

A Look at Middletown, Connecticut's 92nd Annual Saint Sebastian Feast

Primu Diu e Sammastianu!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

I made my way to Middletown, Connecticut this weekend for the 92nd Annual Saint Sebastian Feast. Invited by a friend, I jumped at the opportunity to finally partake in this wonderful tradition.

Arriving early, we had the opportunity to explore Saint Sebastian Church and mingle with some locals before Mass. Beautifully decorated, the church was heavily influenced by the Baroque design of the Basilica San Sebastiano in Melilli, Sicily.

Curious about the origins of the Feast, I learned that in 1414 a galley arriving from the Adriatic was shipwrecked by a terrible storm at Magnisi, a peninsula in the Province of Siracusa. Miraculously, none of the passengers were harmed. This blessing was attributed to Saint Sebastian because his statue was part of ship's cargo and safely washed up on shore. News of the miracle spread and the Bishop of Siracusa lead a procession to the location to retrieve the statue. However, no matter how hard they tried the saint would not budge. Many wanted the prize, but only when the people of Melilli attempted the feat the statue allowed itself to be moved. With great pride they returned to their hometown with their beloved patron.

Mass culminated with the I Nuri (barefooted devotees dressed in white with red sashes) entering the church fervently proclaiming their devotion to God and San Sebastiano. "First God, then St. Sebastian," they cried. The litter bearing the saint was covered with flowers and carried out of the church to the expectant crowd.

With great revelry and fanfare the procession wended its way through the parish, greeted by the faithful along the way. Upon return, the Saint was brought back into the church where celebrants distributed the flowers for luck. Afterward, the festivities spilled out onto the church grounds where a fantastic festival was held. There was plenty of good music, delicious food, and fun rides and games. The rain didn't dampen any spirits.

Next year marks the 600th anniversary of the Feast and a contingent from Middletown is planning a trip to Sicily to participate in the historic celebration.

Viva San Sebastiano!

The procession leaves the church

The I Nuri make their way through Middletown

Another look at the I Nuri

Tradition is passed from father to son

This cutie was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day

The clergy welcome back the procession

A close up of San Sebastiano

A look inside beautiful Saint Sebastian Church

The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian on the nave ceiling

Donations are pinned to the statue

Stained glass window in the church foyer

A statuette of San Sebastiano

Monument to Catholic war veterans

You know you're in the right place when Tony Andriola of Anne Marie's Concessions is there. For over twenty years "Tony Torrone" has been selling his toothsome nougat and confections at Italian festivals all over the East Coast

There was no shortage of delicious Sicilian delicacies to choose from, but my favorite was the arancini

A traditional carrettu sicilianu (Sicilian cart) was on display

Detail of the carrettu showing a battle between the Normans and Saracens

May 19, 2013

AcquAria to Perform at the 34th Annual Sea Music Festival, Mystic, Connecticut

Photo courtesy of AcquAria

34th Annual Sea Music Festival

June 6th–9th, 2013

Mystic Seaport

The Museum of America and the Sea

75 Greenmanville Avenue

Mystic, Connecticut 06355

(860) 572-5315

AcquaAria

The musical tradition of Sicily includes many songs that speak of the sea, sing its praises, or are sung by those whose work connects them to the water. Together, acclaimed musicians Michela Musolino and Vincenzo Castellana, pay tribute to Sicily's sea through their music. Musolino, a vocalist known for her performances of Sicilian Roots Music, and Castellana, a noted percussionist of the Sicilian drumming tradition, have created a work of song, percussion and recitations which illustrates the intimate connection of Sicily, its history and its culture to the sea which surrounds it.

For more information and tickets, visit www.mysticseaport.org/seamusicfestival

Also see:

• AcquAria Pay Homage to the Sea at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò

• An Evening of Cantu with Michela Musolino

• Reclaiming a Tradition: An Interview with Michela Musolino

May 17, 2013

Announcing the 2013 Feast of Our Lady of the Audience, Kansas City, Missouri

Viva Maria!

Photo courtesy of HRCC

Sunday, May 19th

Mass 11:00 AM

Procession and shower of rose petals to follow

Come celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Audience, patroness of Sambuca, Sicily. Refreshments will be served after Mass.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

911 E. Missouri Avenue

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

For more info contact:

(816) 842-5440

* All schedules and activities are subject to change, so please check with organizers for any updates.

For a brief history of the Feast visit Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Feast of Santa Restituta

Viva Santa Restituta!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

May 17th is the Feast Day of Santa Restituta, virgin martyr and patroness of Lacco Ameno, a town in northwestern Ischia. According to legend, in 284 AD (during the reign of Emperor Diocletian) Santa Restituta was tortured and sentenced to death for her faith and piety. Brought out to sea, she was placed in a small boat, lashed to a pyre and set aflame. However, a strong wind blew the burning pitch onto her executioners' ship, consuming their vessel in flames instead. She died from her wounds while adrift.

An alternate version of the legend states that she was cast overboard with a millstone tied around her neck. The stone is said to be embedded into the wall of the Chiesa di Santa Restituta in Lacco Ameno.

An angel safely guided the raft from the coast of Abitina (near Carthage) across the Mediterranean Sea to the shores of San Montano just outside Lacco Ameno. Her incorrupt body, resting on a bed of sea daffodils (pancratium maritime), was discovered by a Christian matron named Lucina, who was foretold of the martyr's arrival in a dream. Collecting her remains, the locals buried Santa Restituta at the foot of Monte Vico, where a small sanctuary was dedicated to her.

In 812 the sanctuary was sacked during a Saracen incursion, but miraculously they were unable to carry off her gilded statue. In a rage an infidel struck the statue with his scimitar, leaving a gash still visible today. It's believed the corsair was paralyzed by the saint for his offense. Deserted by his comrades, the pirate was unable to escape with his spoils. His fate is unknown.

Several years later, her relics were translated to the Basilica in Naples to prevent them from being further desecrated by Muslim slavers. Incorporated into the Gothic Duomo di San Gennaro in the 13th century, the Basilica (now Cappella) di Santa Restituta was the oldest church in Naples. Dating from the 4th century, the Basilica was built on the orders of Emperor Constantine. Popular allegations that the church was erected over a temple to Apollo may be unfounded.(1)

In commemoration I'm posting a prayer to Santa Restituta. The accompanying photo was taken at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary and Saint Stephen's Church in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Prayer to Santa Restituta

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of Santa Restituta 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 Santa Restituta protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Notes:
(1) Apolline Project Vol. 1: Studies on Vesuvius' North Slope and the Bay of Naples edited by Girolamo F. De Simone and Roger Macfarlane, Università Degli Studî Suor Orsola Benincasa Brigham Young University 2009, p. 250. See Google Books

May 16, 2013

Announcing the 92nd Annual St. Sebastian Feast, Middletown, Connecticut

St. Sebastian by

Antonello da Messina

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Sponsored by the St. Sebastian

I Nuri Committee

May 17th–19th, 2013

St. Sebastian Church

147 Washington Street

Middletown, CT 06457

Hours: Friday 5–10 PM,

Saturday Noon–10 PM

Sunday Mass at 11 AM

(Procession to follow)

Come celebrate the 92nd Annual Feast in Honor of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of Melilli, Sicily. The unveiling of the Saint will take place Saturday at St. Sebastian Church (5 PM). After Mass on Sunday, the I Nuri (devotees dressed in white and red) will lead the procession through downtown Middletown.

Admission is FREE! Enjoy traditional Sicilian fare, music and carnival rides. Washington Street from Pearl Street to Main Street will be closed during the festival.

* All schedules and activities are subject to change, so please check with organizers for any updates.

Also see:

• 92nd Annual St. Sebastian Feast Starts Friday In Middletown

May 15, 2013

The Neapolitan Cult of the Dead: An Illustrated Lecture with Chiara Ambrosio

Friday, May 17 (8:00 PM)
Admission: $8
Presented by

Morbid Anatomy

Morbid Anatomy Library

543 Union Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Naples is a unique city in which the sacred and the profane, Catholicism and paganism, beauty and decay blend and contrast in intriguing ways. No practice illustrates this tangle of ideas better than what is known as “The Neapolitan Cult of the Dead” in which devout Catholics–generally poor women–adopt anonymous skulls found in charnel houses and clean, care for, and sometimes house them, offering up prayers and offerings to shorten that soul’s time in purgatory before reaching paradise, where, it is hoped, it will assist its earthbound caretaker with special favors. The macabre artifacts of this cult can be seen in the Cimitero delle Fontanelle (pictured) and the crypt of the church of Saint Mary of Purgatory.

In tonight’s illustrated lecture, Italian artist and filmmaker Chiara Ambrosio will elucidate this curious and fascinating “Neapolitan Cult of the Dead” and situate it within the rich death culture and storied history of Naples.

Chiara Ambrosio is a visual artist working with video and animation. Her work has included collaborations with performance artists, composers, musicians and writers, and has been shown in a number of venues including national and international film festivals, galleries and site specific events. She also runs The Light & Shadow Salon, which is a place for artists, writers and audience to meet and share ideas about the past, present and future of the moving image in all its forms.

For more info visit the observatoryroom.org