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Evviva San Michele!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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By Cav. John Napoli
Friday evening (Sept. 29th), devotees from far and wide gathered at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood in Little Italy, New York for the Second Annual Traditional Solemn High Latin Mass in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers. The Mass was sponsored by the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Circolo delle Due Sicilie USA, but the celebration would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many others.
Once again, we must thank our dear friends Stephen La Rocca, President of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza in NYC, and Lorenzo Tinio for their indispensable help and guidance. True friends, they have been a great source of strength and inspiration to me.
On top of being our lay master of ceremonies, Lorenzo generously donated this year’s beautiful programs and laminated copies of the Prayer to St. Michael composed by Pope Leo XIII, which we recited during Mass. Our friend Lucian donated the flyers and George Pompilio of Gothic Press donated this year’s prayer cards. Your devotion and generosity is greatly appreciated.
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| After Mass, Clergy, Servers and Cavalieri take a commemorative photo |
Special thanks to Fr. Stephen Saffron, Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Church, for being our celebrant and homilist; Fr. Robert Rodriguez for being our Deacon; Fr. Christopher Salvatori, SAC, for being our Subdeacon; and Fr. Daniel Kingsley who sat in choir. As always, it was an incredible honor and pleasure to celebrate Liturgy with you.
Thank you to the dutiful altar servers. Along with Lorenzo, thurifer Teddy Thongratnachat, crucifer Brian Hilley, and acolytes Michael Soto-Torrellas and Brian McGuire did a fantastic job.
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| San Michele was placed on the bye-altar with flowers |
Thank you to music director Art Manabat, organist Robert Harsághy and the rest of the schola for your precious gift of sacred music. What a blessing and joy it was to listen to you sing.
Thank you Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, for giving us his blessing and letting us hold the celebration at Most Precious Blood again. The staff and congregation, especially project manager Bill Russo and Emily Bisogno, have been incredibly supportive and hospitable.
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| (L) Relic from the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano, Puglia. (R) Devotees pin donations on to the statue |
Thank you to our friends from the St. Rocco Society of Potenza; the Comitati Due Sicilie USA; Brooklyn Latin Mass; the Figli di San Gennaro; the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny; the Craco Society; the Society of Saint Anthony of Giovinazzo; the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata; and the NYPD Holy Name Society of Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate our faith and culture together.
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| (L-R) Bill Russo, Cav. Sant'Elia, Cav. Napoli and Stephen La Rocca |
Thank you to my fellow Cavalieri Joseph Sciame, Charles Sant’Elia and Vincent Gangone of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George for serving as honor guard.
I apologize if I forgot anyone.
God willing, we will see you all again next year, Saturday, September 29, 2017 for the Third Annual Feast of St. Michael at Most Precious Blood Church. Evviva San Michele!!!
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| Prayer cards at the base of the statue |
