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

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

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

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 17, 2013

Feast of Santa Restituta

Santa Restituta, ora pro nobis
May 17th is the Feast of Santa Restituta, Virgin, Martyr, and patroness of Lacco Ameno in northwestern Ischia. According to tradition, 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 her martyrdom states that she was cast overboard with a millstone tied around her neck. Miraculously recovered, 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 celebration, 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. Evviva Santa Restituta!

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 her festival, we may also imitate her 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 13, 2013

The Roman Lemuria, and the Ungrateful Dead

Fall of the Rebel Angels (detail)  
 by Luca Giordano
By Lucian

When I first attempted to research the ancient Roman holiday of Lemuria I found a lot of New Age theories dealing with lost civilizations, Atlantis, Mt. Shasta, and other things. Some of them attempted to connect their beliefs with the Roman holiday, but such conjecture was not what I was looking for. My goal was to research and summarize what we know about the Roman pagan tradition in an attempt to better understand ourselves through understanding our past. The rest, while it might prove interesting to some, did not serve my purpose.

The Roman Empire absorbed the civilizations of many Mediterranean peoples and ruled over them for many centuries. During this time the various parts of the Empire adopted many beliefs and practices that the Romans brought with them. This process, at least for the pagans, was less hostile than one might expect. As long as other religions acknowledged the Roman gods, paid their taxes, and followed Roman law they were allowed to continue their own traditions. Many of these practices were parallel with Roman beliefs, and that was to be expected because they were kindred peoples. The concept of celebrating, communing with, appeasing, or banishing the spirits of the dead were common. The Romans had two primary holidays dealing with the dead. One was a celebration and appeasement of their ancestors held in February, called Parentalia. Once appeased those spirits were supposed to be helpful and bring luck. The other was held on May 9th, 11th and 13th, and was called Lemuria. Its primary purpose was to deal with the malevolent spirits of the dead who return to the world of the living with evil intentions. Nothing good was expected from them, and the best-case scenario was forcing them to leave.

As with Parentalia and other holidays connected to the dead, the temples and courts were closed. It was considered very unlucky to marry during Lemuria, or conduct new business. The Romans felt that odd numbered days were unlucky in general, so Lemuria being observed only on three odd-numbered days lends a certain tone to the event. Ovid, in his work Fasti, describes one of the rituals in detail:
“When midnight has come and lends silence to sleep, and dogs and all ye varied fowls are hushed, the worshipper who bears the olden rite in mind and fears the gods arises; no knots constrict his feet; and he makes a sign with his thumb in the middle of his closed fingers, lest in his silence an unsubstantial shade should meet him.  And after washing his hands clean in spring water, he turns, and first he receives black beans and throws them away with face averted; but while he throws them, he says: 'These I cast; with these beans I redeem me and mine.' This he says nine times, without looking back: the shade is thought to gather the beans, and to follow unseen behind. Again he touches water, and clashes Temesan bronze, and asks the shade to go out of his house. When he has said nine times, 'Ghosts of my fathers, go forth!' he looks back, and thinks that he has duly performed the sacred rites.” Ovid, from Fasti p.292 translation by Sir J. G. Frazer 1931
Mano Fico, “The Fig” hand gesture.
Used to ward off evil, it is also for
good luck or a great insult, depend-
ing on where and how it is used 
(Photo by New York Scugnizzo)
The symbolic hand gesture described by Ovid is known as “The Fig,” (or Mano Fico) and can be described as a fist with the thumb protruding from between the index and middle fingers. In pagan times it was used as a symbol to ward off evil, and is thought to represent a female sexual organ. Historically it was not uncommon to use sexual symbolism, both male and female, to protect against the dead or other spiritual threats, perhaps because sex was identified with creating life. In modern times “The Fig” and similar gestures have taken on vulgar or mocking meanings. I’m unsure whether they had dual meanings in classical times, although I’m sure it is possible because sex has always been the cause of strong and conflicting emotions. It could also be possible that the change in meaning was purposely promoted to denigrate pagan symbolism or mock the superstitious. Or maybe not, modern vulgarities also have sexual connotations and do not necessarily have any connection to ancient times. In a few parts of the world “The Fig” is still used as a good luck symbol, in others it is a great insult. Oddly enough, it is also the symbol for the letter T in American Sign Language.

Winged phallus souvenir 
from Pompeii. In the ancient 
world sexual symbolism was 
often used to ward off evil
(Photo by New York Scugnizzo)
Ovid’s reference to knots constricting the feet was part of the Roman belief that knots or bindings hindered sacred rituals; sometimes even hair was required to be unbraided and worn loosely. There were similar ideas concerning rings. “The Priest of Jupiter was not allowed to wear a ring unless it was broken and stoneless.” (Burriss) During both Lemuria and Parentalia beans were used to placate the dead. It might seem strange by modern standards, but beans were a good source of nutrients and calories at the time. They were valuable because they helped you survive.

There is some confusion about the namesake of Lemuria. Ovid claims that it is a corruption of Remus, but others disagree. It is more likely that the name Lemuria was derived from the spirits being banished, who were called Lemures, and the Remus connection was attached to it later on, and not even advocated by everyone at the time.

Lares Familiares

The spirits of the dead were referred to as Manes, Lemurs or Larvae, but the difference between the Roman spirits is also confusing. Ovid uses the terms Lemure and Manes interchangeably, but others do not. In his City of God, St. Augustine claims: “Apuleius says also that men’s souls are demons, and become lares if their merits be good; if evil, lemurs, goblins; if indifferent, manes.” However, St. Augustine’s descriptions place the spirits of the dead into the three categories of the Christian concept of the afterlife. His book also promotes the idea that anything positive accomplished by paganism was done by pagans unknowingly following Christian philosophies before the coming of Christ. Besides, most experts agree that the Lares were originally spirits of the land, household and estate; only later becoming associated with deceased ancestors.

Most references that I have seen refer to the Manes as something positive, but references to Lemurs, or Larvae as they were sometimes called, were usually negative. Some ancient authors considered the Lemurs and the Larvae different; Pliny the Elder claimed that the Larvae (not to be confused with the Lares Familiares) were the tormentors of the dead.

People today might look down upon Lemuria and similar rituals as something primitive that humans have outgrown, but as a species we have not changed as much as we would like to believe. We have traded the Old Religion for new ones, and adopted different mythologies to explain existence. Even many of those who forsake religion entirely can be found embracing modern social theories as if they were scripture, ignoring any contradictions or obvious falsehoods in defense of their adopted philosophies, which are themselves often based on whimsical ideas about human nature.

A Jewish mezuzah
affixed to a doorframe
(New York Scugnizzo)
The belief in harmful spirits, or warding against them did not end with the pagan era. Christians have rituals to protect against or exorcise them, and there was an upsurge in those rituals in the 1960s and 70s. Even the simple act of having something blessed is a form of spiritual protection. When I was a child my family moved into a new apartment and I noticed a strange metal object fixed to the doorframe. My mother explained to me that the former tenants were Jewish and the metal container held their scripture and protected them while they slept. Even when we say, “God bless you” to someone who has sneezed, it is to protect them on a metaphysical level.

The claim that Lemuria was a holiday based on fear is not incorrect, but it is oversimplified. Fear is certainly a component, but so is facing the fear and acting to overcome the object of that fear with disciplined action. The people of the Empire knew that their ancestors lived in a world where some wished you well and others wished you harm. It is no surprise that their observations were applied to the afterlife as well, for they also lived in such a world, and so do we.

References:
• Fasti, by Ovid. Translation by Sir J.G. Frazer, published 1931 ISBN 0-674-99279-2
• City of God, by St. Augustine Vol. 1. Translation by John Healy published 1945, (The Ninth Book, Chapter XI - Of the Platonists that held men’s souls to become Demons after death.)
• Phases in the Religion of Ancient Rome by Cyril Bailey, published 1932, reprinted 1972 ISBN 0-8371-4759-X
• Taboo, Magic, Spirits A Study of Primitive Elements in Roman Religion, by Eli Edward Burriss, published 1931, reprinted 1972 & 1974, ISBN 0-8371-4724-7 

May 10, 2013

Feast of the Three Saints: Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino

Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino, orate pro nobis
May 10th is the Feast of the Three Saints—Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino—protectors of Trecastagni, a small town in the Province of Catania, Sicily. According to tradition, the three brothers were martyred for their faith on May 10th in the year 253 AD. Born to a noble family in Vaste, a town in the Province of Lecce, Puglia, the boys were secretly raised Christian by their parents, Vitale and Benedicta.

In 250 AD an edict was issued by Emperor Decius demanding that all Christians renounce their faith and pay homage to the gods, upon penalty of death. Benedicta refused and was martyred. Vitale escaped, leaving his sons in the care of a faithful servant.

Rounded up, the brothers were brought before the Emperor in Rome, who hoped to retrieve the young nobles. However, unable to convince the boys to denounce their faith, they were shipped off to Sicily to be coerced by Tertullo, governor of Sicily.

Landing in Messina the prisoners were marched to Lentini, stopping in Trecastagni and Catania along the way. In charge of getting the brothers to renounce their faith, Tertullo subjected his victims to many cruel and sadistic tortures.

After months of persecution, the frustrated governor ordered their deaths. Lashed to a post, Alfio, the oldest brother, had his tongue torn out. Next, Filadelfo was burned to death on a gridiron. Finally, Cirino, the youngest, was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil.

Many miracles have been attributed to the brothers, both during their captivity and after their deaths. 

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to the Three Saints. The accompanying photo was taken at Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts, during the 89th Annual Feast of the Three Saints in 2012. Evviva Sant'Alfio, San Filadelfo and San Cirino!  

Prayer to the Three Saints

Glorious Martyrs of our Faith, we exult with holy joy calling to mind the immortal triumphs which you brought about in fiercest torments. And we exult the more at the thought of you being our defenders in life and our protectors at death. Deign, from heaven where you sit midst the splendor of infinite light, to cast your merciful glances upon us and make us worthy of your protection. Heal us from all sicknesses, but above all, heal us from the leprosy of sin and enkindle in our souls a burning charity which will have as its reward eternal life. Amen

May 9, 2013

The Eight Hundred Martyrs of Otranto to be Canonized

Holy Martyrs of Otranto, ora pro nobis
The Holy See has announced that Pope Francis I will canonize the Blessed Eight Hundred Martyrs of Otranto, Puglia on May 12th. The Canonization Mass will be held from 9:30 AM till 11:45 AM at Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City.

The slaughter of the martyrs by Ottoman soldiers took place in 1480 during the invasion of the Kingdom of Naples. After a two-week siege, the city walls were breached and an orgy of wanton cruelty ensued. The townspeople were murdered, raped and sold off as slaves. Eight hundred survivors were rounded up and offered a chance to live if they would renounce their faith and convert to Islam. To a man they refused: "Eight hundred times, no!" they declared. They were butchered en masse.

A Neapolitan army under Duke Alfonso of Calabria with his Hungarian allies recovered the city on September 10, 1481. The remains of the Martyrs were interred in the Cattedrale di Otranto. In 1574, in commemoration of the Battle of Lepanto (1571), some of the relics were translated to the Chiesa di Santa Caterina a Formiello in Naples, fittingly beneath the altar of Our Lady of the Rosary.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI formally recognized their martyrdom and in 2012 he recognized a miracle attributed to their intercession, thus clearing the way to sainthood.

May 5, 2013

Feast Day Sant'Angelo Martire

Sant'Angelo, ora pro nobis
May 5th is the Feast of St. Angelo, Mystic, Ascetic, Hermit, Priest and Martyr. He is the patron Saint of converts and Licata in Provincia d'Agrigento, Sicily. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Angelo. The accompanying photo of the Saint was taken at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary–Saint Stephen RCC, located in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Evviva Sant'Angelo!
Prayer to Saint Angelo
O glorious St. Angelo, mirror of all heroic virtues, we rely on you. Support our faith, our hope and inflame our desire to copy your virtues in order to give glory to God. Remember, O powerful advocate, your Licata and all Licatesi, at home and scattered around the world, who look to you always as a pillar of strength. Continue to protect us from the scourge and to implore all your devotees to greet the joy of divine mercy. Amen