A Look at the 129th Annual Feast of Saint Rocco in Little Italy, New York (Part 1)

Mass and Opening Ceremony

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Scenes from Sunday’s 129th Annual Feast of St. Rocco at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood in Manhattan’s historic Little Italy. (See Part 2, The Procession and Part 3, The Procession Continued and the Dinner Party)

Traditional wax ex-voto are displayed at the foot of the statue

Detail of the cinte, or candle house

(L-R) Our friends Angelo, Tony, John and Rocco show their support

Mass was concelebrated by Pastor Msgr. Donald Sakano and Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio, Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Newark, New Jersey

During his homily, Msgr. Sakano spoke at length about our glorious patron

Devotees came from far and wide to celebrate the feast

After Mass, Stephen LaRocca, President of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, thanked everyone who contributed to the celebration and all in attendance

For their continued support and tremendous devotion to St. Rocco, Paul Tocci and family were presented the Angela M. Carnevale Memorial Award

The society honored the memory of Anthony Ragaini

Hundreds salute Old Glory during the National Anthem

 The Italian flag follows the American

After the anthems, the society standard and cinte depart the church

Wrapped in ribbons, the statue was carried
from the bye-alter to the church entrance

The expectant crowd erupts in elation as the saint descends the stairs

Children shower the saint with confetti  

"Viva San Rocco!"

Devotees admire the statue and offer donations

The saint is covered with money, gold and various tin ex-voto

The procession departs Little Italy