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Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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Scenes from Saturday’s Feast Day Mass and procession for Our Lady of the Snow, patroness of Sanza, Salerno, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
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| A shrine to the Blessed Mother is erected inside the Our Lady of the Snow Society Clubhouse (410 Graham Avenue) |
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| The festivities kicked off with the American and Italian anthems |
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The society's standards and Our Lady of the Snow
statue is presented to the expectant crowd |
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| (Above & below) Participants salute Old Glory during the National Anthem |
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| The Our Lady of the Snow Ladies Auxiliary display heart-felt devotion |
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| Members of the San Sabino Society show their support |
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| Devotees shower the statue with rose petals |
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| After the rose petal shower, young girls release a bouquet of balloons |
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| (L) Members of the Ladies Auxiliary carry the Blessed Mother to San Sabino. The ritual is a reenactment of the centuries-old tradition that takes place in Sanza. (R) The color guard lead the way |
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| (Above & below) The procession wends its way through the neighborhood |
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| We stopped for a moment of silence by the Society of St. Mary of the Snow Square on the corner of Herbert Street and Graham Avenue. Pilgrims briefly pay homage to San Donato outside the Mazza residence (158 Conselyea Street) |
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| (Above and below) A good time was had by all |
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| Always great to see young ones participating in our time-honored traditions |
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| Family and friends enjoy the festive holiday |
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| Cavalieri Vincent Gangone and John Napoli of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George visit the shrine set up outside the San Sabino Clubhouse |
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| San Sabino Martire and the Madonna della Neve |
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| The beautiful altar and the society's original statue of the Madonna della Neve inside St. Francis of Paola Church (219 Conselyea Street) |
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| After Mass, Cavs Gangone and Napoli join Frank Viola and HE Cav. John Viola, Delegate of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George |
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| Afterward, I had the great privilege of joining the very generous and hospitable Viola clan at La Locanda Restaurant (432 Graham Ave.) for a celebratory meal |
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| We enjoyed a delicious repast, replete with southern Italian delicacies... |
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| ...including one of my all-time favorites, cavatelli pomodoro |
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Back at the clubhouse, the statue is returned to the shrine
and revelers mingle and enjoy the festivities |
