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Evviva San Michele!
Photos by Andrew Giordano and New York Scugnizzo
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By Cav. John Napoli
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make our extraordinary Michaelmas celebration a reality (Sept. 29th). What started as a personal vow to the Archangel Michael has come to fruition. Due to the increasingly hostile environment against law enforcement my normal everyday concern for the safety of friends and loved ones serving on the job has turned into fear and trepidation. I turn to the patron saint of police officers for solace and plead for his intervention to protect the men and women in blue.
First and foremost I would like to thank Lorenzo Tinio for all his hard work and support. This Mass would not have been possible without him. When I first mentioned my interest in sponsoring a Solemn High Traditional Latin Mass in honor of St. Michael back in July, during the 5th Annual Traditional Pilgrimage at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem, Lorenzo encouraged me to do it and guided me through, what was for me, unchartered waters.
Thank you to my dear friend Stephen LaRocca, President of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza in NYC, for your endless support and counsel. With Steve’s many years of experience organizing the Feast of St. Rocco, a seemingly daunting task was accomplished with relative ease.
Thank you Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, for letting us hold the celebration at Most Precious Blood Church. Monsignor did not hesitate to give us his blessing when I made the request and has been nothing but supportive of our endeavor.
Thank you to the staff and congregation at Most Precious Blood Church for your warmth and kindness, especially project manager Bill Russo, who continues to be a major supporter of Catholic and Italian American initiatives at the parish.
Special Thanks to Cav. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio for being our Celebrant, Fr. Robert Rodriguez for being our Deacon, Fr. Christopher Salvatori for being our Subdeacon and Cav. Msgr. Christopher Hynes for being our Homilist. It was an incredible honor to celebrate Mass with you.
Thank you to music director Art Manabat, organist Robert Harsaghy and the rest of the schola (I apologize for not getting your names) for being quintessential professionals and braving the dark and dusty choir loft. What a blessing and joy it was to listen to you perform.
Thank you to the dutiful altar servers. Along with Lorenzo, Brian Hilley, Joseph Lucia, Brian Mcguire, and thurifer Teddy Thongratnachat did a fantastic job.
We could not have done it without the support of our friends from the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, the Comitati Due Sicilie USA, the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny, the NYPD Holy Name Society of Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island, and the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata.
I would be remiss not to mention Andrew Giordano, John Cordi, Marcantonio Pezzano, Lucian, Cav. John Viola, Cav. Pat O’Boyle, Cav. Anthony O’Boyle, Cav. Charles Sant’Elia, Cav. Vincent Gangone, Achille Pirro, Lucrezia Nardulli and Elena Loguercio. You have all been true friends and I appreciate your love and support.
It was great meeting the police officers who travelled all the way from Staten Island to celebrate with us. Thank you for your service and God bless you all.
I apologize if I forgot anyone.
God willing, we will see you all again next year, Friday, September 29, 2017 for the Second Annual Feast of St. Michael at Most Precious Blood Church. Evviva San Michele!!!
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| I'm told, it was the first time in over 40 years the statue of St. Michael was brought out from its niche for veneration |
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| The crucifer and acolytes led the procession |
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| (Left) Members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and (right) the NYPD participate in the procession |
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| (Left) Father Robert Rodriguez and (right) Father Christopher Salvatori |
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| (Left) Cav. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio and (right) Cav. Msgr. Christopher Hynes |
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| (Above & below) Solemn High Traditional Latin Mass |
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| (Left) Cav. Msgr. Hynes gave an inspiring sermon about our angelic patron. (right) Cav. Msgr. Ambrosio led us in reciting the original prayer to St. Michael |
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| (Above & below) There was a nice turnout for the Mass |
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| After Mass, devotees pin donations on to the statue |
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| Celebrants pose for a picture before the high altar |
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| Representatives of the NYPD and Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George join the alter servers and clergy for a group photo |
