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Most Holy Crucifix shrine in church basement
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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Hundreds gathered at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn Sunday morning (May 3rd) for the Festa del Santissimo Crocifisso di Ciminna. Mass was celebrated in Italian with Father Graziano in the basement chapel, accompanied with sacred choral music by the church choir and organist.
I was happy to see our friends from the Congrega San Vito di Ciminna Club and San Rocco Society di Potenza come out in force to support this wonderful event sponsored by the Societá SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna a New York. The weather was fantastic, participants couldn’t ask for a better day for a procession.
Overloaded with an “embarrassment of riches,” I could not participate in this year’s procession because I had a Communion and birthday party to attend. So after Mass I pinned my donation on to the ribbons, said a prayer, wished our friends a joyous day, then headed off to my other celebrations.
I want to thank President Frank Catalano and the men and women of the Societá SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna a New York for their hard work and dedication. Now, more than ever, we need these types of efforts to keep our community healthy and vibrant. Next year I hope to be able to stay for the entire observance. Evviva Gesù
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| Before Mass, devotees took turns visiting the shrine |
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| Santissimo Crocifisso enters the chapel |
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| A close up of the Crucifix |
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| After Mass, the SS. Crociffiso is carried outside for the procession |
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| Our friends from the Congrega San Vito di Ciminna Club show their support |
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| The Most Holy Crucifix is affixed to the vara |
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| The color guard are raring to go |
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| Msgr. Cassato stopped by to offer his blessings to the celebrants |
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| Ready to start the procession, I bid them farewell |
