Celebrating the Feasts of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, San Gioacchino and San Rocco

Glorious San Rocco at the
Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents

Signum magnum appáruit in cælo: múlier amicta sole, et luna sub pédibus jus, et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.(1)

Thanks to the Feasts of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, San Gioacchino and San Rocco, this past weekend felt semi-normal. After a long stretch without Masses or outdoor processions it was a great joy to finally get out and celebrate together as a community. As much as I love my peaceful, almost monastic, solitude, I always enjoy the company of my brethren and celebrating our faith and culture together.

Beginning Saturday morning at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan, members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede, or Brothers of the Holy Faith (Sanfedisti for short), gathered for the Tridentine Low Mass in Latin for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. Arriving early, we brought flowers and finished the ninth day of our novena to San Rocco di Montpellier, ascetic, pilgrim and wonderworker. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated by our Pastor Fr. James Miara.

After Mass, we lit candles and circled the nave to visit the various Saints and prayed for the intentions of family, friends and the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory. Anyone interested can send their prayer intentions to the Sanfedisti at fratellidellasantafede@gmail.com and we will pray for the assistance you need.

Instead of eating at one of our usual spots, we tried Campania’s (9824 4th Ave.) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn for our group luncheon. Sitting outside, in the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, we started off with a delicious mixed pot of sautéed clams and mussels in a spicy marinara sauce. Since it was a day of abstinence (Brown Scapular devotion), and they are known for their coal fired pizza, we had to try a couple of well-done vegetarian pies. Keeping it simple, we ordered the Melanzane and Margherita. Both were crispy and tasty, I'm glad we gave it a try. 

Mixed pot of sautéed clams and mussels in a spicy marinara sauce

* * *

Deus in loco sancto suo: Deus qui inhabitáre facit unánimes in domo: ipse dabit virtútem, et fortitúdinem plebi suæ. Psalm 67. 2 Exsúrgat Deus, et dissipéntur inimici ejus: et fúgiant, qui odérunt eum, a fácie ejus. Glória Patri. Deus in loco sancto suo.(2)

The Sanfedisti returned to Holy Innocents Sunday morning for the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost with commemoration to San Gioacchino and San Rocco. Fr. Miara was the Celebrant at both and offered the early Mass for San Gioacchino and Sant’Anna. Father blessed the congregation at both masses with the first-class relic of San Rocco.

The first class relic of San Rocco

Despite being in a hurry to make the San Rocco procession in Little Italy, we couldn’t leave without saying our prayers of reparation to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the sacrilege committed against Our Lady during the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at the Cathedral di Santa Maria Assunta in Napoli. Apparently, in another misguided attempt at interfaith unity, they allowed the profaning of the church with loud drumming and Kandyan religious dancing. While beautiful, the dance has no place in a Catholic church. San Gennaro’s blood must be boiling!

Inspired by Cardinal Burke and Bishop Schneider’s Crusade of Prayer during the Amazonian Synod in 2019, the Sanfedisti have begun our own “crusade of prayer” for the rejection of heresies within the church. Starting on Monday, August 17th we began fasting with complete abstinence, meaning one full meal per day with no meat, except Sundays. Praying for the Holy Father's intentions, we will add at least one additional decade of the Holy Rosary to our daily prayers until September 8th, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please consider joining us in this endeavor.

* * *

Glorious San Rocco on the 'Guariglia' bye-altar at
the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood

Responsorio a San Rocco

Ave, Roche Santissime
Qui nobili natus sanguine
Crucis signaris schemate
Sinistro tuo latere.

Numinis in praesentia
Nostra nunc serva corpora
Et crucis per praesidia
A peste oppidum libera.

Roche, peregre profectus
Pestifere mortis ictus
Curavisti mirifice
Tangendo salutifere.

Vale, Roche qui angelice
Vocis citatus flamine
Obtinuiste deifice
A cunctis pestem pellere.

Sit Christe Rex piissime
Tibi Patrique gloria
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Et nunc et in perpetuum.

V. Ora pro nobis, beate Roche.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus

Populum tuum, quaesumus Domine, continua pietate custodi, et beati Rochi suffragantibus meritis, ab omni fac animae et corporis contagione securum. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Votive candles inside Most Precious Blood Church 

Finishing our prayers, we headed to the Shrine Church of the Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) in Little Italy for the 131st Annual Feast of San Rocco. Arriving just in time for the procession, we were warmly welcomed by our San Rocco Society brethren who were rearing to go. As to be expected, due to the COVID scare, Comrade De Blasio’s crime spike, and the poor weather, the turnout was noticeably smaller than usual. However, the fervor and devotion of those in attendance was never stronger.

(L) Confetti rains down on the Saint. (R) Devotees pin donations onto the ribbons

With so much uncertainty surrounding public events these days, especially peaceful Catholic ones, some of us weren’t too sure the celebration would even happen. Having helped distribute the feast posters a week earlier, I know the astonished shopkeepers were overjoyed to learn the Mass and procession were still on. Through the tireless efforts of the San Rocco Society Feast Committee, they proved all the nay-sayers wrong and pulled-off another successful Feast.

(L) The rain certainly didn't dampen the children's enthusiasm.
(R) Ray Guarini had the honor of carrying the San Rocco Society's standard

Mingling with friends throughout the day, we enjoyed some wine, caffé, and even a little souvenir shopping. I finally picked up my long sought after statue of San Francesco d’Assisi and a new Due Sicilie coat-of-arms T-shirt at E. Rossi & Co. We were very happy to learn from our friends in the Figli di San Gennaro that there will be a Mass and procession this year for the Feast of San Gennaro on Saturday, September 19th.

(L-R) The Tocci's and Codispoti's celebrating their faith and culture

After the festivities, friends and members of the society headed back to Da Nico Ristorante (164 Mulberry St.) and broke bread together with plenty of laughs, beer, wine, and, of course, traditional Southern Italian fare. Good food, service, and friends, you couldn't ask for anything more.

Ave Maria! Viva San Gioacchino! And Viva San Rocco!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, August 18th, Feasts of Sant’Elena di Laurino and Sant’Elena della Croce

(L-R) Members of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fraternal Society of Staten Island, New York; St. Sebastian Society & St. Donato Society of Montclair, New Jersey; and the St. Joseph Society of New Orleans, Louisiana show their support

Departing Most Precious Blood Church, the three hour long procession wends its way through the bustling streets of China Town and Little Italy

The procession makes a brief stop outside E. Rossi & Co.

Danny Vecchiano and the Giglio Band

My new San Francesco d'Assisi statue and Due Sicilie T-shirt

We take a brief detour down Grand Street

Our friends from Aleva Cheese Shop always show love to San Rocco

Our buddy Salvatore takes a breather at Da Nico's

After a short break, the procession returns to Most Precious Blood Church

(1) A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

(2) God in His holy place; God who maketh men of one mind to dwell in a house; He shall give power and strength to His people. Psalm 67. 2 Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that Hate Him flee from before His face. Glory be to the Father. God in His holy place.