 |
Evviva Santa Rita!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
|
Sunday's Feast of Saint Rita of Cascia was a huge success as hundreds gathered at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn for the festivities. Mass was celebrated by Msgr. David Cassato, who blessed the parishioners and the sea of roses filling the pews.
After Mass, members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata carried the statue of St. Rita through the neighborhood singing hymns and praying. Thankfully the thunder storms in the forecast never arrived and we had picture perfect weather for the procession.
Afterward, we returned to the auditorium for some coffee, dessert and an all-around good time. Blessed loaves of bread were distributed to all attendees.
Thank you President Lucrezia Nardulli, Vice President Josephine DiDonna and the rest of the Association for your hard work and dedication. It is always a pleasure to celebrate our faith and culture with you. Evviva Santa Rita!
 |
| Members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata carry St. Rita into the nave. The statue is displayed next to the altar with baskets of blessed loaves of bread, which were distributed to participants |
 |
| Msgr. David Cassato blesses the roses |
 |
| After Mass, Josephine and Lucrezia carry the statue out of church and begin the procession through the neighborhood |
 |
| The procession wends its way through the neighborhood |
 |
| Devotees pray and sing hymns to St. Rita |
 |
| (Above & below) Members take turns carrying our beloved patroness |
 |
| (Above & below) The procession saunters back to St. Athanasius Church |
 |
| Back at St. Athanasius, participants pose for a group picture |
 |
| Salvatore and Oronzo are ready to party |
 |
| St. Rita was set up for veneration in the auditorium |
 |
| It's always great to see our friends Marcantonio and his mom, Teresa |
 |
| (Above & below) Just some of the delicious goodies partygoers enjoyed |
