August 7, 2023

A Look at the 135th Annual Feast of the Madonna della Neve in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Shrine to the Blessed Mother erected inside the
Our Lady of the Snow Society Clubhouse on Graham Avenue
Scenes from Saturday’s feast day Mass and procession for the Madonna della Neve, patroness of Sanza, Salerno, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The festivities kicked off with the American National Anthem
This was followed by the Italian National Anthem
The society's old and new standards
Statue of Our Lady is presented to the expectant crowd
Always great to see young ones participating in our
time-honored religious and cultural traditions
Devotees shower the statue with rose petals
White Barbary doves are released as a symbol of peace,
and love and devotion to our Blessed Mother
Members of the Our Lady of the Snow Ladies Auxiliary carry the
Blessed Mother to San Sabino. The ritual is a reenactment of the
centuries-old tradition that takes place in Sanza, Salerno, each year
San Sabino, ora pro nobis
Members of the San Sabino Society show their support
(Above & below) The procession wends its way through
the neighborhood
 with pomp, pageantry and prayer
The San Sabino Society leads the way
(Above & below) Members of the Our Lady of the Snow Ladies Auxiliary
A sea of blue saunters down bustling Graham Avenue
The float with Our Lady of the Snow
The procession makes its way down Graham Avenue
We stopped by the Society of St. Mary of the Snow Square on the
corner of Herbert Street and Graham Avenue for a moment of silence
On our way to church, we briefly stopped by the San Sabino
Society clubhouse on Withers Street for some refreshments
San Sabino Martire and the Madonna della Neve
Saint Francis of Paola Lyceum on Humboldt Street
(L) Mass was celebrated at St. Francis of Paola Church on Conselyea Street.
(R) First time seeing this framed image of Sant'Onofrio inside the church
(Above & below) The society's original statue of the
Madonna della Neve inside St. Francis of Paola Church
Madonna della Neve, ora pro nobis
Before leaving church, I visited a few old friends
Old church bell and Our Lady of Lourdes in newly restored church grotto
Afterward, we had the great privilege of joining the very
generous Viola clan at Carmine's pizzeria for a celebratory meal
Rigatoni smothered in ragù and braciole alla napoletana
Meat from the Neapolitan ragù was served separately