A Look at Boston's 94th Annual "Feast of All Feasts!"

The 2013 Feast of Sant'Antonio di Padova da Montefalcione

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Photos courtesy of Bobby Maida

Dear readers, our friend Bobby Maida, recently returned from his trip to Boston's North End, where he and members of the East Harlem Giglio Society and Sons of San Paolino di Nola participated in the annual Feast of Saint Anthony. Bobby was kind enough to share some of his wonderful photos with us.

The New York contingent presented a plaque to Boston's San Antonio di Padova da Montefalcione Society declaring their support and solidarity 

(Above and below) An explosion of confetti rains down on the crowd 

The procession makes its way through Boston's North End

(Above and below) Along the route, devotees make donations 

Bobby and the guys had the privilege of carrying the Saint 

The festivities continued deep into the night

At midnight Saint Lucy joined Saint Anthony

For more fantastic pix by Bobby Maida visit https://bobbymaidasgigliopictures.shutterfly.com/

A Look at the 2013 Festa di San Rocco in Astoria, Queens

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

On Saturday, August 24th, I had the great privilege of attending the annual Festa di San Rocco sponsored by Societá Gioventú Quagliettana in Astoria, Queens. As always, our Quagliettana brothers and sisters did an outstanding job hosting the celebration, but this year was a little extra special for me because I had the thrilling opportunity to carry the Saint. 

After a wonderful service by Father Vincent at Saint Joseph's Church (43-19 30th Ave.), we enjoyed a delightful meal and some music outside the society's clubhouse at St. Rocco's Place (37-04 28th Ave.). The festivities lasted deep into the night.

I offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to Quagliettana Society for their hard work and generosity. Viva San Rocco!

Passing on the love and devotion

Family and friends pose for a group photo outside the society clubhouse

This lucky young man had the honor of carrying the relic 

The color guard beam with pride

The procession makes its way to Saint Joseph's Church

Devotees carry votive candles

(L-R) Vice-treasurer Rocco Fasano,

Father Vincent and President Vincenzo Carpinelli

(Above and below) Members of the ladies auxiliary sing devotional hymns 

Exiting a packed Saint Joseph's Church

After Mass we made our way back to the society clubhouse 

Michael Aromando and The Metropolitan Festival Band 

The revelry continued into the night with great food and music

Feast of San Bartolomeo

San Bartolomeo, ora pro nobis

August 24th is the Feast of San Bartolomeo (Saint Bartholomew), Apostle and Martyr. He is the patron saint of tanners, plasterers, cheese merchants, and those who suffer from nervous tics and neurological diseases. Widely venerated across southern Italy he is the principal patron of Lampedusa (AG), Lipari (ME), Giarratana (RG), and San Bartolomeo in Galdo (BN), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to St. Bartholomew. The accompanying photo was taken at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Belleville New Jersey. Evviva San Bartolomeo!

Prayer to St. Bartholomew

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening Night at 'The Feast'

Thankfully the rain subsided and the crowds began to arrive

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Contrary to all the rumors I heard, this year's Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn is back. 

After work, I made my way to 18th Avenue to partake in the opening night celebration. Highlights include:

Venerating Santa Rosalia at the outdoor chapel 

Enjoying some delicious seafood...

...or sausage & peppers...

...and a wide array of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I had brioche con gelato (Zuppa Inglese) and espresso

at Villabate Alba Pasticceria and Bakery

The Feast will run through September 1st! 

There will be a Procession from the chapel (18th Avenue & 72nd Street) at 2 PM on Sunday, September 1st. Mass will be celebrated at Santa Rosalia Church (6301 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219) at 4 PM.

A Look at NYC's 124th Annual Feast of San Rocco

Evviva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Hundreds attended Sunday's celebration at Saint Joseph's Church
(5 Monroe Street) in Two Bridges, New York

Members of the Saint Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey (above) and Figli Maria S.S. Addolorata of Brooklyn, New York (below) were among the celebrants

Contingents from the Gioiosa Marina Social Club of Brooklyn,

New York (above) and San Rocco Societa di Mutuo Soccorso

of Fort Lee, New Jersey (below) also participated

Our friends from the Societa Gioventu Quagliettana

of Astoria, Queens joined in the festivities 

The color guard and standard bearer lead the way

The procession makes its way down Catherine Street towards Little Italy

Along the route, devotees pin donations onto the saint

There were light refreshments and dancing in the streets
outside Vanella's Funeral Chapel (40 Saint James Place)

The parade rolls down Little Italy's bustling Mulberry Street

Devotees carry votive candles during the celebration

Tony and Son's Festival Band were awesome

Feast of San Rocco di Montpellier

San Rocco di Montpellier, ora pro nobis

August 16th is the Feast of San Rocco di Montpellier, ascetic, itinerant pilgrim, hermit and wonderworker. Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, he is the patron saint of Potenza (PZ), Castelmezzano (PZ), Quaglietta (AV), Orsogna (CH), Locorotondo (BA), Monteleone di Puglia (FG), Pietraperzia (EN), Palmi (RC), Scilla (RC), and Gioiosa Ionica (RC), among others. One of the 52 co-patrons of Naples, he is also the patron saint of pilgrims, dogs, bachelors and plague victims.

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Rocco. The accompanying photo was taken at the now-closed Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe Street) in Manhattan. The beautiful papier-mâché statue has since been moved to Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter St.) in New York City's historic Little Italy. Evviva San Rocco!

Prayer to Saint Rocco

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God; through thy intercession, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues. St. Rocco, pray for us (say thrice)

Feast of Sant'Antonio Primaldo and the Eight Hundred Martyrs of Otranto

Martyrs of Otranto, orate pro nobis

August 14th is the Feast of Sant'Antonio Primaldo and the Eight Hundred Martyrs of Otranto. In 1480 the Ottoman Turks invaded the Kingdom of Naples, laying siege to the city of Otranto in Apulia. Taken by force, the townspeople were raped and slaughtered. Eight hundred survivors were marched up a nearby hill and offered a chance to live if they renounced their faith and convert to Islam. To a man, the captives refused. Stepping forward, a tailor named Antonio Primaldo proclaimed: 

"Now it is time for us to fight to save our souls for the Lord. And since he died on the cross for us, it is fitting that we should die for him." 

Beheaded on the spot, Primaldo's body did not fall until the last captive was slain. They were canonized in St. Peter's Square, Rome on May 12, 2013.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer in Italian to the Martyrs of Otranto. The photo of the reliquary with bone fragments of the Eight Hundred Martyrs of Otranto was taken at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (259 Oliver St.) in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva Santi Antonio Primaldo e compagni!

Prayer to the Martyrs of Otranto

Preghiera O Dio, fortezza dei tuoi fedeli, che hai suscitato nel popolo idruntino i santi martiri Antonio Primaldo e compagni e li hai resi gloriosi testimoni del tuo nome, concedi a noi, sostenuti dal loro esempio e dalla loro intercessione, la forza di superare ogni avversità per amore di colui che ha dato la sua vita per noi. Il tuo Figlio e nostro Signore. Amen

Feast of Sant'Ippolito Martire

Sant'Ippolito Martire, ora pro nobis

Our protector Sant'Ippolito
Wearing flowers on your head
Which you wear for our honor
And to give glory to God.

Our beautiful Sant'Ippolito
Wearing a golden hat
Your horse is strong and vigorous
O glorious Sant'Ippolito.*

August 13th is the Feast of Sant'Ippolito (Hippolytus of Rome), Martyr. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Sant'Ippolito (formally Napoli Piccola) in Cosenza, Gioia Tauro in Reggio Calabria, and Roccaraso in L'Aquila. He is also the patron saint of horses. In celebration, I'm posting a prayer in Italian to Sant'Ippolito. Evviva Sant'Ippolito Martire!

Orazione A Sant'Ippolito Martire

O glorioso Sant'Ippolito che sacrificaste il sangue e la vita per confessare la Fede; otteneteci dal Signore la grazia di essere come voi disposti a soffrire per amor suo qualunque affronto e qualunque tormento, anziché perdere una sola delle cristiane virtù; fate che in mancanza di carnefici, sappiamo noi stessi mortificare la nostra carne con gli esercizi di penitenza, affinchè morendo volontariamente al mondo ed a noi medesimi, meritiamo di vivere a Dio in questa vita, per vivere poi con Dio in tutti i secoli. Cosi sia. Pater, Ave, Gloria.

* The Processional Song to Sant'Ippolito was reprinted from the "Culture and Traditions" section of the Sant'Ippolito Society of Leslie, Michigan website.

A Look at the 2013 Feast of the Giglio di Sant'Antonio, East Harlem, New York

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

Bruscianese pride, devotion and brawn were on display in East Harlem on Sunday for the annual Feast of the Giglio di Sant'Antonio. Hundreds gathered outside historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine Church to partake in the festivities and honor Brusciano's glorious patron, Saint Anthony of Padua, "the Lily of Lisbon." 

The giglio

Needless to say, the Giglio Society of East Harlem really know how to throw a party! In addition to all the delicious food and beverages, there were plenty of fun rides for the kids, spectacular music and, of course, the giglio, a towering structure of wood and papier-mâché crowned with a statue of the saint.

The lifting, or dancing, of the giglio is an old-world tradition originating in the 5th century in Campania. Immigrants brought the custom to East Harlem from Brusciano back in the early 1900s. It moved for a time to the Bronx, but the celebration was brought back to Harlem thirteen years ago. Thankfully, the Bronx just recently renewed its giglio tradition.

This year's giglio facade was a gift from l'Associazione Giglio della Gioventù from Brusciano. Resembling a church interior, it was shipped over in sections and reassembled by the Giglio Society. Proudly paraded around the parish on the shoulders of a hundred men, its exquisite design and craftsmanship was most impressive.

As always, it was nice to see some old friends and familiar faces. I'm grateful to the Giglio Society of East Harlem for preserving our culture and religious traditions. Events like these help keep the bonds of family and community alive.

Luckily we get to do it again next weekend at the Feast of San Rocco.

Members of the Giglio Society of East Harlem carry

Saint Anthony from the outdoor chapel to the church for Mass 

Tenor Jimmy Alleva and the Danny Vecchiano Giglio Band

did a rousing rendition of the National Anthem 

Marching towards the church

The giglio was rockin' 

Above and below: A labor of love and devotion

A good time was had by all

Another look at the giglio 

The ladies join in... 

...and make it look easy 

The Feast helps raise money to fight breast cancer

The giglio wasn't the only masterpiece on hand:

Sausage and peppers from Cuzzin Vinny's Sausage Stand 

Insalata di frutti di Mare from Tony Pesce

Wood oven pizza Napoletana from Sanducci's