A Look at the 8th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
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Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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Sunday, September 13th, I joined members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria S.S. Addolorata at Saint Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, for the 8th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patroness of Mola di Bari.
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Festivities kicked-off with a moving rendition of "Ave Maria" (Left),
while revelers get ready to release balloons and confetti (right) |
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| An explosion of confetti greets the Madonna outside Saint Athanasius Church |
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Last year's Grand Marshals Chiarina and Mario Colella join
2015 Grand Marshals Stephen, Lucia and Salvatore La Rocca |
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Kiara Nicastro (Left), dressed as the Madonna Addolorata, and
Christina Nardulli (right), Regina of the Association, were all smiles |
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Our friends from the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fraternal Society
Peter, Ennio, Joe and Elizabeth show their support |
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The Procession departs Saint Athanasius Church
and makes its way through the neighborhood |
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| Plenty of pomp and pageantry |
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| Members sing and pray as they march |
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| (Above and below) Outdoor shrines were set up along the procession's route |
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| Thank you Josephine DiDonna, Lucrezia Nardulli, JoAnn Marinelli, and all the members of the society for your hard work and dedication |
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| After about three hours, we make our way back to the church |
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| The Procession saunters down 60th Street |
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| Michael Aromando and The Metropolitan Festival Band |
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| Back at St. Athanasius, members pose for a picture |
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| After Mass, our ladies sing one more hymn to Our Lady |
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| Devotees pray before the statue |
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| We return the statue to the ornately decorated chapel |
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| The celebration lasted into the night with plenty of food, music and dancing |
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What is it about Neal Diamond's "Sweet Caroline"
that gets everybody dancing? |
