 |
| Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Mother Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
By Cav. John Napoli
Each Tuesday, the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George meet at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood in New York City’s historic Little Italy to pray the Rosary and meditate on the Stations of the Cross. When time permits, we also light some candles and pray for saintly intercessions on behalf of the sick, our ancestors, and the Royal Family.
 |
| (L-R) San Gennaro, Madonna del Carmine and San Rocco di Potenza |
On this 4th Tuesday of Lent, our Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola, vice-chancellor Cav. Patrick O’Boyle and our confratello Count Justin Morin-Carpentier, who is visiting from Paris, France, joined Cavalieri Anthony O'Boyle, Charles Sant'Elia, Vincent Gangone and myself for our weekly prayer session. We showed our esteemed guest around, giving him a brief history of the church and pointing out some of the many interesting artifacts on view (e.g. the statue and relic of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco). We closed our prayer session with the Daily Prayer of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
 |
| We restocked the flyers for our upcoming Solemn High Traditional Latin Mass for the Madonna Addolorata at Most Precious Blood on Friday, March 23rd |
Afterward, we broke fast at Acqua Restaurant (21 Peck Slip), our favorite haunt in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. As always, we were warmly welcomed by our dear friend Chef Giuseppe Marrone and his crack wait staff, who presented us with another spectacular Neapolitan seafood and pasta dinner.
 |
| Insalata di mare |
After grace, our meal kicked-off with Chef Marrone’s insalata di mare. Fresh and tasty, the dish was brimming with calamari, polpo and gamberetti.
 |
| Polpo alla griglia |
The seafood salad was followed with some polpo alla griglia, perfectly cooked grilled octopus over chickpea puree, cherry tomatoes and arugula with lemon dressing.
 |
| Linguine al sugo di calamari |
 |
| Ravioli al pomodoro |
 |
| Gnocchi al pomodoro |
While my brethren enjoyed a variety of delicious pasta dishes, I polished off a stewpot of cozze alla marinara with Prince Edward Island mussels cooked in a cherry tomato and white wine sauce.
 |
| Cozze alla marinara |
A celebration of faith and culture, our jovial and edifying evening came to a close with some limoncello, amaro and a final toast to the memory of our King.
 |
| Amaro is my go-to digestivo |
Truly a blessing to be in such wonderful company, I cherish these moments of prayer and fellowship with my brethren. We wish the Count a safe and pleasant journey home, and hope to see him again soon. I look forward to seeing my confratelli on Tuesday for our prayer session and the monthly Malta Walk.
Addendum:
Daily Prayer of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
Almighty and Merciful Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, in Your immeasurable goodness You have called me into the ranks of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, Your Knight and Martyr. May I never cease to emulate our heavenly patron and with alacrity follow in the footsteps of Your Only-begotten Son, Who is our Alpha and Omega, our Beginning and End.
Impress, O Lord, upon my heart the Sign of Your Holy Cross, and grant that I may bear it honorably and dutifully, in total fealty to You and to the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and to the Vicar of your Son. Bless our Grand Master, His Family and Household, and all our Knights and Dames. Imbue me, moreover, with the particular grace of preserving in diligent charity toward my neighbor, and especially to the sick, the needy, and the abandoned.
All this, Heavenly Father, I beg by the power of the Most Holy Cross upon which throne He Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life did reign, and to Whom with You in the life-giving Holy Spirit be ascribed all honor, glory and power, sovereignty and blessing both now and forevermore. Amen.
Most Holy Mother, Virgin most compassionate, who did stand at the Foot of the Cross, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the fruits of Your Son’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Saint George, Knight and Martyr, may your sacred witness strengthen and inspire us to be generous in the service of the Most Holy Cross, in whose Sign alone can we conquer.
