October 31, 2016

Celebrating the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy

After Mass, celebrants pose for a group photo
Photos courtesy of John Cordi and Patrizia Esposito
Friday night, my friends and I joined scores of pilgrims at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy to celebrate Solemn High Mass for the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. Possibly, not since 1969 has Latin Mass been celebrated at Most Precious Blood, but amazingly there have been three well attended masses in the last few weeks at the church.*
Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist Fr. Richard Cipolla, Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was assisted by deacon Fr. Robert Rodriguez, subdeacon Mr. James Barrett and several dutiful altar servers. Cavalieri John Napoli, Charles Sant’Elia and Vice Chancellor Patrick O’Boyle of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George served as Knights in Attendance.
God bless the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny, especially Stuart and Jill Chessman, for sponsoring the Mass and their tireless efforts to promote Traditional Latin Mass. Evviva Santi Simone e Giuda!
* In addition to Saints. Simon and Jude, Latin Mass was celebrated at Most Precious Blood Church for the Feast of San Gennaro on Sept. 24th and for the Feast of San Michele Arcangelo on Sept. 29th.
Cav. John Napoli venerating San Vincenzo Martire di Craco
Cavalieri Charles Sant'Elia and Napoli unfurl the flag of
the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies before San Gennaro
Members of the San Rocco Society of Potenza gather around their beloved patron