Mass and Opening Ceremony
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Viva San Rocco!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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After months of planning and mobilizing, the hard work and devotion of the members of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza in New York City came to fruition Sunday afternoon with the 130th Annual Feast of San Rocco in Little Italy, New York. A glorious day filled with prayer, food and fellowship, the festivities culminated with a grueling procession through the bustling streets of Chinatown and Little Italy, the ancestral stomping grounds of the group’s founders.
As has been done for the past 130 years in Manhattan, and centuries longer in the old country, votaries took turns carrying the statue of our beloved patron while a train of devotees sang and prayed in tow.
Seemingly against all odds, the penitential and reverent rite of veneration persistently endures in an increasingly secular and deracinated society. Thanks to a devout remnant of the faithful, the sacred and cultural traditions of southern Italy continue to be celebrated, albeit on a smaller scale, with the same passion and vibrancy of our forebears.
Once again, the fervent cheer, “Viva San Rocco!” was shouted from the rooftops in Little Italy and, God willing, we will continue to do so for many years to come.
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| The Tocci clan arrived early for Mass at Most Precious Blood |
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| The LaRocca and Sant'Elia families |
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| The church gates were decorated with festive flowers and banners |
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| Traditional wax ex-voto are displayed at the foot of the statue |
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| Votive candles are lit inside the church |
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| Our friends from the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata |
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(Above & below) The new Parish Administrator
Rev. Brian A Graebe, S.T.D. celebrated Mass |
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| Fr. Graebe blesses the statue |
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| Most Precious Blood was packed with devotees |
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| For her continued support and devotion to St. Rocco, Emily DePalo was presented the Angela M. Carnevale Memorial Award by Pres. Stephen LaRocca |
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| The flags and standard emerge from the church |
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| The crowd salutes Old Glory during the National Anthem |
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(Above & below) To the delight of the expectant crowd,
San Rocco descends the steps of Most Precious Blood |
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| The saint is greeted with great fanfare by a throng of revelers |
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| Members of the Figli Maria SS. Addolorata pose with the statue |
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| Giorgio and Matt look after San Rocco's faithful pooch and cherubim |
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| The saint is laden with money, gold and various tin ex-voto |
