Photo of the Week: Carlotta d'Asburgo a Miramare by Francesco Jerace in the Museo Civico di Castel Nuovo, Naples

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Gala Cocktail Reception in Hawthorne, New Jersey to benefit the Restoration of Saint Agatha of the Goths

St. Agatha of the Goths

Fri, July 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT
Wedding Venue NJ – Macaluso's, 55 4th Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506

A Gala Cocktail Reception in true Southern Italian style, to benefit the restoration of the Roman Church of Saint Agatha of the Goths in Rome, will be hosted by the American Delegation of the Constantinian Order of St. George on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 7 pm in Hawthorne, New Jersey. His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, the titular priest of St. Agatha’s, will be the keynote speaker at the reception, to discuss the great work that needs to be done for the ancient church’s restoration. 

Prepaid tickets of $150 each are available for the reception (cocktail dress), and must be reserved no later than Monday, July 18. 

Please email info@smocsg.org regarding tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

For tickets visit eventbrite

Celebrating Saint John’s Eve

Falò di San Giovanni, or St. John's Fire

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)

This year we celebrated the Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist at Joe’s of Avenue U in Brooklyn, New York. Smaller than previous years, we kept all our friends and brethren who could not be with us in our prayers. As always, the dinner and service were outstanding. Heartfelt thanks to Paolo and his crack waitstaff for another terrific evening.

Afterward, we honored my saintly namesake with a traditional Falò di San Giovanni, or St. John bonfire. Customarily a night of betrothal (St. John is invoked for good marriages) and moonlight bathing to help cure spiritual and physical ailments, we simply retired to a friends house for some prayer, wine and a little ballo di San Giovanni (St. John’s Dance) around the fire.[1] Evviva San Giovanni Battista!

We erected a small shrine to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Giovanni Battista, San Paolino di Nola and Sant'Andrea at the head of our table

Panelle with lemon

Mista polpo e calamari

Vongoli Riganati

Cavolfiore

Scungilli fra Diavolo

Spaghetti cu Niuru a Siccia

Trippa Olivetana

Purpittuni di Carni o Furnu

Prayer:

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

P: The Lord be with you.

All: May He also be with you.

Let us pray.

Lord God, almighty Father, the light that never fails and the source of all light, sanctify + this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this life we may come unsullied to you who are light eternal; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

The fire is sprinkled with holy water; after which the clergy and the people sing the following Hymn: Ut queant laxis

1. Ut queant laxis resonáre fibris

Mira gestórum fámuli tuórum,

Solve pollúti lábii reátum, Sancte Joánnes. 

2. Núntius celso véniens Olýmpo

Te patri magnum fore nascitúrum,

Nomen, et vitae sériem geréndae

Ordinae promit. 3. Ille promíssi dúbius supérni,

Pérdidit promptae módulos loquélae:

Sed reformásti genitus perémptae

Organa vocis.

4. Ventris obstrúso récubans cubíli

Sénseras Regem thálamo manéntem:

Hinc parens nati méritis utérque Abdita pandit.

5. Sit decus Patri, genitaéque Proli

et tibi, compare utriúsque virtus,

Spíritus semper, Deus unus, omni

Témporis aevo.

Amen.

1. O for your spirit, holy John, to chasten

Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen;

So by your children might your deeds of wonder

Meetly be chanted.

2. Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending,

Bears to your father promise of your greatness;

How he shall name you, what your future story,

Duly revealing.

3. Scarcely believing message so transcendent,

Him for a season power of speech forsaketh,

Till, at your wondrous birth, again returneth,

Voice to the voiceless.

4. You, in your mother's womb all darkly cradled,

Knew your great Monarch, biding in His chamber,

Whence the two parents, through their offspring's merits,

Mysteries uttered.

5. Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten,

And to the Spirit, equal power possessing,

One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages,

Ever resounding.

Amen.

P: There was a man sent from God.

All: Whose name was John.

Let us pray. God, who by reason of the birth of blessed John have made this day praiseworthy, give your people the grace of spiritual joy, and keep the hearts of your faithful fixed on the way that leads to everlasting salvation; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.[2]

There was a little Catholic and Monarchist flair on display

(L) Constantinian Order rosette. (R) San Giovanni, ora pro nobis

(Above & below) Revelers received some old
Two Sicilie patches and stickers

[1] For more information about the local customs of St. John's vigil in Naples see Becoming Neapolitan: Citizen Culture in Baroque Naples, John A. Marino, John Hopkins University Press, 2011

[2] The prayer and hymn used in our solemn celebration were obtained from catholicculture.org. Roman Ritual, The, Complete Edition by Philip T. Weller, S.T.D., The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, WI, 1964

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Carolina!

HRH was born in Rome, Italy on June 23, 2003

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo! May God's love and affection be with you always! Auguri Altezza Reale!

Photo of the Week: Carlotta d'Asburgo a Miramare by Francesco Jerace in the Museo Civico di Castel Nuovo, Napoli

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

The 2019-2021 International Constantinian Chronicles Is Now Available Online

The 2019-2021 international Constantinian Chronicles have just been published by the Grand Chancery. Read or download PDF in Italian and English here. IHSV

Meridiunalata XXXII: "Comme He Pututo" by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia

Reprinted from Cav. Charles Sant'Elia's Meridiunalata / Southernade, an evocative bilingual collection of poetry written in Neapolitan and translated to English between 1989 and 2010.*

Comme He Pututo 

Comme he pututo parlà d' 'a morte,

Dulure scanusciute e malatía,

Arret'a surrise e pazzíe,
Primm' 'e partì, nu saluto 

Chiù lieggio 'e vapore,
Ancora chiù bello appriesso
A duje becchiere 'e vino
E vasille mmocca,
Appriess'a abballe mmiez' 'o viento d'autunno,

'O cuorpo tujo, n'ánema senza aità,
Prelibbata, na státola 'e brunzo,
Affunnato dint'a nu mare
Caudo, 'e na staggione
Addò nun penzammo,
Ma addò campammo,
Nziemme,
Tempeste e tumità
A l'ata parte d' 'a muntagna. 

How Could You

 

How could you speak of death,

Unknown pains and illness, 

Behind smiles and jokes,

Before departing, a gesture

Lighter than vapor,

Yet more beautiful after
Two glasses of wine
And little kisses on the mouth, 

After dances in the autumn wind,

Your body, an ageless soul,

Delectable, a bronze statue,

Sunk in a hot sea,
Of a season
Where we do not think
But where we live,
Together,
Tempests and weightiness
On the other side of the volcano. 

* Self-published in 2010, Meridiunalata / Southernade is a treasury of poems gleaned from Cav. Sant'Elia's previous collections (Nchiuso dint''o presente, 'A cuntrora, and 'O pino e l'éllera), which were circulated among friends in New York City and Naples. Special thanks to Cav. Sant'Elia for allowing us to reprint his poetry and translations.

Happy Birthday Princess Beatrice di Borbone!

HRH was born in Saint-Raphaël, France on June 16, 1950

Il Regno would like to extend our warmest birthday wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Dame Grand Cross of Justice and Grand Prefect of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. May God continue to shower you with all the blessings you truly deserve. Auguri Altezza Reale!

The Two Sicilies Mourn Author Carlo Capezzuto

Carlo Capezzuto (left) with Gennaro De Crescenzo

The Two Sicilies community mourns the loss of Carlo Capezzuto of Portici who died on 8 June 2022. Capezzuto was an avid researcher of the history of the South of Italy from ancient through modern times. He studied at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II and the Istituto Tecnico Commerciale E.Pantaleo in Torre del Greco and conducted years of research.

Capezzuto is best known for his tireless efforts to disseminate the accurate history of the region, and in particular of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, through his lasting project, the publication of the Grande Libro delle Due Sicilie. The Great Book of the Two Sicilies collects chapters authored by many of the experts on the region and has become a seminal textbook or manual on the history of the region, rich in photographs and documented information, debunking many past politically motivated slanders against the region and its inhabitants.

A knowledgeable but humble man, Capezzuto sought to collaborate with others and travelled frequently and conducted not only conferences for fellow scholars and members of the Two Sicilies community, but he also aimed to interact with as many members of the public as possible, distributing books and writings. Capezzuto also meaningfully connected with the Two Sicilies diaspora community in the United States and his great opus is being translated into English for publication. The Two Sicilies mourns the loss of its kind and generous son who dedicated his own resources and efforts to help so many people. Many hope his great legacy of collaboration and dedication will serve as a rallying point for future efforts and unity at home as well as in the diaspora community.

Capezzuto’s funeral was held on the 9th June 2022 in the Salesian diocesan church in Portici.

Forza e onore Carlo!

Essential Bibliography
• Il Grande Libro delle Due Sicilie, Magenes Editoriale, 2017
• La Questione Meridionale, Magenes Editoriale, 2019

Photo of the Week: Sant'Antonio da Padova inside the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino in Salerno

Photo by Andrew Giordano

New Book — Monarchy: A Study of Louis XIV by Hilaire Belloc

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at aroucapress.com

• Monarchy: A Study of Louis XIV by Hilaire Belloc (Foreword by Roger Buck)

Publisher: Arouca Press

Publication Date: May 27, 2022

Paperback: $24.95

Hardcover: $31.95

Language: English

Pages: 446

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply endorsement

Ponderable Quote from ‘La Monarchia Tradizionale’ by Francisco Elías de Tejada

Translated from the Italian*

Via Toledo, 1963

Perhaps now it is too late to revive the Tradition of Naples. But, for those who still try to denigrate her or want to ignore her, there are vestiges of her in the books that are not read, in the people who are despised, and in the hearts of many who unconsciously feel them as I do. Therefore, walking many afternoons in the noisy Via Toledo I suffered the deep sadness of solitude, consoled only by the serene voice of the last Neapolitan traditionalist, my brotherly friend Silvio Vitale, when the call I felt in the depths of my being told me that it was impossible for the people of my ancestors, rich in generous loyalty, creator of great concrete freedoms, and champion of universal enterprises, to end up like this. I will die, but I want to die with the hope that, even if buried and derided, the tradition of my Naples cannot remain inert archeology. God's justice cannot allow a people who have been an instrument of him in the decisive battles of history to die amidst derision. Not even if, as seems to happen, the Neapolitans let themselves go into the madness of a collective suicide.

* La monarchia tradizionale, Francisco Elías de Tejada, Capitolo Settimo,  La Tradizione di Napoli, 6 Via Toledo, 1963, P.153-154, Controcorrente Edizioni, 2001, P.153-154

Meridiunalata XXXI: "Eldorado" by Edgar Allan Poe Translated into Neapolitan

In Search of Eldorado
by William Heath Robinson

In this installment of Meridiunalata / Southernade, Cav. Charles Sant'Elia translates “Eldorado” by Edgar Allan Poe into Neapolitan.

Eldorado
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)

  Gaily bedight,
  A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
  Had journeyed long,
  Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

  But he grew old,
  This knight so bold,
And o'er his heart a shadow
  Fell as he found
  No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

  And, as his strength
  Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow;
  "Shadow," said he,
  "Where can it be,
This land of Eldorado?"

  "Over the mountains
  Of the moon,
Down the valley of the shadow,
  Ride, boldly ride,"
  The shade replied,--
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

Eldorado
Edgar Allan Poe
(traduzione napoletana di Cav. Charles Sant’Elia)

  Addubbato cu allería,
  Nu cavaliere gallante,
Sott''o sole e a ll'ombra,
  'A tiempo ha viaggiato,
  Cantanno na canzona,
Ascianno Eldorado.

  Ma s'è fatto viecchio,
  Stu cavaliere accussì audace,
E ncopp''o core sujo n'ombra
  Cadeva ca nun ha truvato
  Na lenza 'e terra
Ca pareva Eldorado.

  E, pe tramente 'a forza
  Lle mancava a n'appoco,
Ha ncuntrat'a n'ombra pellerina;
  "Ombra," ha ditto,
  "Addò starrà,
Sta terra d'Eldorado?"

  "Arret’’e muntagne
  D''a luna,
Lloco abbascio 'a valle 'e ll'ombra,
  Cravaccate, cravaccate cu curaggio,"
  Ha respuosto ll'ombra,--
"Si jate truvanno a Eldorado!"

Also see:
• Meridiunalata IX: "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe Translated into Neapolitan

Rosary March for the Consecration of Texas to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral in Dallas, Texas

Photo of the Week: Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, Vietri Sul Mare

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Congratulations Amalfi on Winning the 66th Annual Palio Delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare

La nobilissima, l'illustrissima, l'agiatissima opulentissimaque

Amalfi, Sunday, 5 June 2022 — On its home seas, the ancient and glorious city of Amalfi won its thirteenth Regatta of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics (Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare) against their historic rivals Venice, Genoa, and Pisa. We salute our Amalfitan champions and wish them continued success in the future. Forza e onore!

A Prayer for Owo, Nigeria

St. Patrick, ora pro nobis

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the horrific terror attack on Pentecost Sunday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. May St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, and Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi watch over you.

Prayer for the victims

Loving God, welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, and may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts. Amen.

Three Bourbon Statues in the Pacini Garden in Catania

King Ferdinando I with scepter and sword was inaugurated in 1853

In the Giardino Pacini in Catania, Sicily stand three statues of Bourbon Kings by accomplished sculptor Antonio Calì (1789-1868), pupil of Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. All three were vandalized in 1860 by the invading Garibaldini and later removed to a municipal warehouse. Heads lost forever, the heavily damaged statues were kept in storage for over a century before finally being relocated to the gardens in 1964. They are pictured here with drawings of the sculptures in their original state.

Photos by Gian Luca Giorgetti Toraldo Di Francia courtesy of the 1° Reggimento Re Facebook group.

King Francesco I in classical regalia was inaugurated in 1833

King Ferdinando II also in classical garb was inaugurated in 1842

Startling Discovery of an Unintended Time Capsule Dating Back to the Early Twentieth Century – Part 2

Mint lapel pin for the Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori from 1935

I was meaning to share this sooner, but I’ve been busy with work, and life in general, and unable to take pictures of some of these historical artifacts before now. These latest findings from our exploration of a dank storage facility in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn are arguably more interesting and a little more varied than the first haul we unearthed back in April [See Startling Discovery of an Unintended Time Capsule Dating Back to the Early Twentieth Century]. With only a fraction of the collection examined thus far, we are sure to uncover much, much more.

Clearly, the person who once owned these objects had a strong fascination with the ventennio fascista, which admittedly is not all that surprising. If we’re being honest, when I was a teen I remember a lot of older people in the community speaking fondly of Il Duce. “If only” they would often lament, “he didn’t get caught up with that other guy.” It was not that uncommon to see Mussolini’s portrait or bust on display in a store or café in the Eighties, so one can only imagine how popular he was during the Roaring Twenties and Thirties, when most of these objects are from.

Times have certainly changed. Other than childishly calling someone a “fascist” when they disagree with you, the expired system and its bellicose progenitor are virtually forgotten. Not surprisingly, other than our inquisitive circle of history buffs, and a few socialist professors with a morbid curiosity for all things fascist, few people have shown any real interest in our discoveries.

Despite what I may or may not think about these items, or how they contrast with my own Monarchist political leanings, I remain detached and concern myself only with their historical significance and preservation. We cannot learn from history without examining it, and we cannot examine the past if it remains buried.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, June 1, Feast of Sant’Annibale Maria di Francia

The pin, with fasces logo, is sewn to the envelope

Oversized postcards dated 4 May 1916 with the
goddess Minerva pointing the way to victory

A couple of interesting books from the 1920's

MNH 1931 Marca da Bollo revenue stamp

1940 US stamp commemorating the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Southwestern United States by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his Captains

(L) Stacks of Neapolitan sheet music. (R) Post card with
embossed American and Kingdom of Italy flags

(L) Metal etching with traces of ink. (R) Postcard with famed
Neapolitan singer Gilda Mignonette (Grisela Andreatini)

Postcard with a dapper looking Mussolini and untarnished replica medal

Envelope from Naples dated 1936 filled with postcards (see below)

King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Benito Mussolini

Il Duce and Sciaboletta

A stoic looking Mussolini in helmet

Equestrian portraits of Il Duce

Mussolini wearing the Arditi style fez

(L) Il Duce with the diminutive King during le grandi manovre. (R) Dressed in black shirt, Mussolini harangues a large crowd of followers in Piazza Venezia 

Princess Marie José of Belgium and Umberto, Principe di Piemonte

Prince Umberto di Savoia, the future King Umberto II of Italy

Prince Umberto of Piemonte, later the May King 

General Pietro Badoglio, Viceroy of Italian East Africa

(L) Count Gian Galeazzo Ciano. (R) Pietro Badoglio

Pietro Badoglio, Maresciallo d'Italia

Rodolfo Graziani, Marquess di Neghelli