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| The newly restored painting of Our Lady of Pompeii |
O August Queen of Victories, O Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, at whose name the heavens rejoice and the abyss trembles. O Glorious Queen of the Rosary, we, your devoted children, assembled on this solemn day in your Temple of Pompeii, pour out the affection of our hearts and with filial confidence express our miseries to You. ~ excerpt from the SupplicaSunday morning over two hundred devotees packed into the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette (8201 13th Ave.) in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. After a twenty-five year hiatus, the parish celebration was revived, thanks to the fortuitous discovery and restoration of the church’s historic image of Our Lady. Once feared lost, the painting was recently unearthed by Michael Carestia and restored to its former glory, thanks to the strong devotion of several parishioners.
Unveiled by Mary Ann Cordi and Stephen LaRocca, the painting was blessed by Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta and processed into the church. Bells tolling, the congregation welcomed home the image by waving white handkerchiefs and singing Hail, Holy Queen. Joining the Holy Name Society of St. Bernadette in procession were members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great.
At the end of Mass, Msgr. Caserta led the congregation in praying the Supplica, a powerful petition for the intercession of our Blessed Mother that’s traditionally invoked on the 8th of May and the first Sunday of October.
Afterward, participants were invited to a celebratory luncheon at nearby Annabelle’s Pastaria (717 86th St.), a cozy little Italian eatery in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. At the restaurant, partygoers enjoyed some traditional southern Italian fare, a “little” vino, and a whole lot of fellowship.
Thank you to Msgr. Caserta, Deacon Anthony P. Martucci, music director Joseph McLaughlin, members of the Holy Name Society, and the greater St. Bernadette family for your warmth and hospitality.
Special thanks to Lansing and Iliana Moore of Center Art Studio (307 W 38th St.), one of the oldest art conservation studios in New York City, for generously restoring and framing the severely damaged image free of charge. Artist, Tyler Lentini and his team of highly skilled conservators masterfully executed the difficult undertaking. The consummate restoration proves it was a project near and dear to their hearts.
We’d be remiss not to mention the generosity of the Tocci Family, who donated the white handkerchiefs, and Cav. Eric Lavin, who donated the Our Lady of Pompeii and Blessed Bartolo Longo prayer cards.
Last but not least, we must thank the Cordi and LaRocca families for their hard work and dedication in organizing this extraordinary celebration. Your fervent devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii is an inspiration to us all.
As always, it was a tremendous honor and privilege to celebrate our faith and culture together. God bless you all. Evivva Maria!
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| A beautiful flower arch was donated for the celebration |
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| Before Mass, white handkerchiefs were offered to parishioners |
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| Deacon Martucci, Cav. John Napoli, and Cav. Paul Tocci prevent prying eyes from sneaking a peek of the restored painting before the unveiling |
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| Members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great gather for the celebration |
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| Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre |
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| Members of the Holy Name Society process into the packed church |
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| HE Cav. John M. Viola of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George |
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| (Above & below) Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre |
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| (Above & below) Cavalieri Napoli and Tocci had the tremendous honor of carrying the painting to the sanctuary |
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| Deacon Martucci and Monsignor Caserta |
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| Prayer cards and Supplica were offered to the congregation |
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| After Mass, the Knights and Dames take a commemorative photo by the church's outdoor grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes |
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| Members of the San Rocco Society of Potenza with guests of honor Iliana and Lansing Moore (second & third from left) and Tyler Lentini (fourth from right) |
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| The Cordi family |
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| (Above & below) Friends and family break bread at Annabelle's |
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| (Above & below) A good time was had by all |
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| The new Sanfedisti |
