Meridiunalata: “Ncuorp’’o Caudo D’’A Notte” 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.*

Ncuorp’’o Caudo D’’A Notte

Ncuorp’’o caudo d’’a notte
Se ne traseva ‘o friddo
‘E sta luna nova.
Niente s’è smuóppeto.
‘O graro de l’autare
Nce aspettava,
Nu puojo sulagno
Mmiez’’e parole
Ca sagliéveno a cefrone
Addò ghiéveno jéveno.
Ammarrávemo ‘e feneste
Int’’o sbacante,
Ogne lagnanza d’ammore
Scordata e passata
Se steva zitta.
Era ‘o tiempo d’’e canzone nove,
‘O dimane c’’a’ fine
Era venuta mbracci’a nuje.

Inside The Warmth of the Night

Inside the warmth of the night
The cold of this new moon
Was entering.
Nothing moved.
The step of the altar
Was awaiting us,
A solitary ledge
Between the words
That were rising up like chevrons
Wherever they went.
We shuttered the windows
In the void,
Every complaint of love
Forgotten and passed
It was quiet.
It was the time of new songs,
The tomorrow that in the end
Had come into our arms.

* 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.

Ottocento e Dintorni

In Napoli

A Look at the Sixteenth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration in New York City

Battle of Bitonto (c.1750) by Giovanni Luigi Rocco

Busy with work, family, and personal business these past few weeks, this year’s Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration in memory of Carlo di Borbone's decisive victory over the Austrians in Apulia on 25 May 1735 and the founding of the Bourbon Dynasty in Naples and Sicily was a modest and intimate affair.

Hosted by Brooklyn's exclusive Salone di Partenope, guests were treated to a convivial dinner, recordings of Neapolitan cantatas (Scarlatti, Porpora, etc.), and stimulating conversation on a variety of topics, including religion, history, art, current affairs, and the selection of dramatic charcoal drawings on display from David DiPasquale’s thought-provoking Liber Mysteria.

As is our custom, we honored the fallen on both sides of the conflict and celebrated the feasts of San Gregorio VII and the Madonna delle Milizie.

Original charcoal landscape drawing
from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria

Original charcoal landscape drawing
from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria

Original charcoal landscape drawing
from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria

Original charcoal landscape drawing
from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria

Original charcoal landscape drawing
from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria

(L) Carlo di Borbone (c. 1761) by Anton Raphael Mengs. (R) The more daring among us attempted to drink some Lacrymma Christi from a Spanish porrón.

Antipasto (Taralli, dates, Cerignola and Castelveltrano
olives, and sharp provolone and primo sale cheese)

Antipasto (Olives, caponata and hot Calabrian chili peppers)

Antipasto (Marinated eggplant, grilled zucchini and roasted peppers)

Fritto misto Palermitano (Crocchè di patate, arancini and panelle)

Focaccia Barese

Peperoni ripieni al forno

Manicotti

Babà Napoletano

Photo of the Week: Torre d'Ingresso at Villa Rufolo in Ravello

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory Figurines at E. Rossi & Co. in Little Italy, New York

I recently stopped by E. Rossi & Co. (193 Grand St.) in New York City’s historic Little Italy and spotted these antique terracotta Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory figurines. Disappointed, they weren’t for sale, it was still really neat to get to see and hold them. Currently undergoing a Renaissance, the old gift shop is constantly uncovering great finds in its brimming storehouses. It is a must-see when visiting Little Italy.

Visiting the Morbid Anatomy Library in Industry City

After Sunday Mass, we decided to go see the Morbid Anatomy Library at its new location (254 36th St.) in Industry City, Brooklyn. Over eleven years since our last visit, we wanted to see what, if anything, had changed. Warmly welcomed, we were allowed to take pictures and explore their myriad collection of books and arcane artifacts.

Much smaller than the original spot at Proteus Gowanus, we learned that they were actually in two other locations before landing here just two weeks ago. Unless limited to just a handful of people, I honestly don’t know how they are going to be able to host public lectures at this location. Still settling in, the library is a work in progress.

In addition to the many eldritch curiosities on display, the library has a large assortment of books covering a wide range of topics, including art, medicine, the occult, and the afterlife. A syncretic mix of the sacred and the profane, the collection boasts many rare and interesting works, as well as a lot of bunk and New Age phooey.

Morbid Anatomy Library is free and open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays.

Photo of the Week: Il Campanile del Duomo di Ravello

13th-century bell tower, Duomo di Ravello
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

New Music — Cimarosa and Palomba: Le Astuzie Femminili

New music that may be of interest to our readers.

• Cimarosa & Palomba: Le Astuzie Femminili performed by Cavaluzzi, Bellocci, Loi, Buzza, Licari, Schisano and Theresia Orchestra

Label: CPO Records
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Audio CD: $36.99
Number of Discs: 2

Available at Amazon.com

Read description

Suppression of the Holy Mass in the Ancient Roman Rite in the Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore/Sanctuary of San Gaetano by Decree of Archbishop Mimmo Battaglia

Without any motivation and after 10 years at the church, the Archbishop of Naples, Mimmo Battaglia, issued a decree suppressing the weekly Sunday Mass in the ancient Roman Rite at the Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore/Sanctuary of San Gaetano.

Having recently endured the suppression of the traditional Liturgy at multiple locations here in New York City, we understand the pain and sorrow our brethren in Naples are currently experiencing. May Our Lady of Victories, San Gaetano, Sant’Andrea Avellino, and all the Theatine Saints protect and watch over you.

Prayers for the clergy, Fondazione Il Giglio, Una Voce Napoli, and their Coetus fidelium would be much appreciated.

For more information visit www.messatridentinanapoli.com.

Brief Excerpts — Mirari Vos: On Liberalism and Religious Indifferentism by Pope Gregory XVI (1832)

Portrait of Pope Gregory XVI
by Hippolyte Paul Delaroche

We have learned that certain teachings are being spread among the common people in writings which attack the trust and submission due to princes; the torches of treason are being lit everywhere. Care must be taken lest the people, being deceived, are led away from the straight path. May all recall, according to the admonition of the apostle that “there is no authority except from God; what authority there is has been appointed by God. Therefore he who resists authority resists the ordinances of God; and those who resist bring on themselves condemnation.” Therefore both divine and human laws cry out against those who strive by treason and sedition to drive the people from confidence in their princes and force them from their government.

And it is for this reason that the early Christians, lest they should be stained by such great infamy deserved well of the emperors and of the safety of the state even while persecution raged. This they proved splendidly by their fidelity in performing perfectly and promptly whatever they were commanded which was not opposed to their religion, and even more by their constancy and the shedding of their blood in battle. “Christian soldiers,” says St. Augustine, “served an infidel emperor. When the issue of Christ was raised, they acknowledged no one but the One who is in heaven. They distinguished the eternal Lord from the temporal lord, but were also subject to the temporal lord for the sake of the eternal Lord.” St. Mauritius, the unconquered martyr and leader of the Theban legion had this in mind when, as St. Eucharius reports, he answered the emperor in these words: “We are your soldiers, Emperor, but also servants of God, and this we confess freely…and now this final necessity of life has not driven us into rebellion: I see, we are armed and we do not resist, because we wish rather to die than to be killed.” Indeed the faith of the early Christians shines more brightly, if with Tertullian we consider that since the Christians were not lacking in numbers and in troops, they could have acted as foreign enemies. “We are but of yesterday,” he says, “yet we have filled all your cities, islands, fortresses, municipalities, assembly places, the camps themselves, the tribes, the divisions, the palace, the senate, the forum….For what war should we not have been fit and ready even if unequal in forces — we who are so glad to be cut to pieces — were it not, of course, that in our doctrine we would have been permitted more to be killed rather than to kill?… If so great a multitude of people should have deserted to some remote spot on earth, it would surely have covered your domination with shame because of the loss of so many citizens, and it would even have punished you by this very desertion. Without a doubt you would have been terrified at your solitude… You would have sought whom you might rule; more enemies than citizens would have remained for you. Now however you have fewer enemies because of the multitude of Christians.”

These beautiful examples of the unchanging subjection to the princes necessarily proceeded from the most holy precepts of the Christian religion. They condemn the detestable insolence and improbity of those who, consumed with the unbridled lust for freedom, are entirely devoted to impairing and destroying all rights of dominion while bringing servitude to the people under the slogan of liberty. Here surely belong the infamous and wild plans of the Waldensians, the Beghards, the Wycliffites, and other such sons of Belial, who were the sores and disgrace of the human race; they often received a richly deserved anathema from the Holy See. For no other reason do experienced deceivers devote their efforts, except so that they, along with Luther, might joyfully deem themselves “free of all.” To attain this end more easily and quickly, they undertake with audacity any infamous plan whatever.

Read the entire encyclical at papalencyclicals.net

Per il Popolo e Per il Cielo

A 10 anni dalla beatificazione di Maria Cristina: la regina santa di San Leucio