Shrine to the Blessed Mother erected inside the Our Lady of the Snow Society Clubhouse on Graham Avenue |
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 |