Feast of Sant’Andrea Apostolo

Sant'Andrea Apostolo, ora pro nobis

November 30th is the Feast of Sant'Andrea Apostolo, protokletos, or "First-Called." St. Andrew is the patron Saint of fishermen and the Southern Italian coastal city of Amalfi, where he is also fêted on June 27th. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Andrew. The accompanying photo was taken at the 2012 Feast of Saint Andrew in New Haven, Connecticut. Evviva Sant'Andrea Apostolo!

Prayer to Saint Andrew

O glorious Saint Andrew, you were the first to recognize and follow the Lamb of God. With your friend, Saint John, you remained with Jesus for that first day, for your entire life, and now throughout eternity. As you led your brother, Saint Peter, to Christ and many others after him, draw us also to Him. Teach us to lead others to Christ solely out of love for Him and dedication in His service. Help us to learn the lesson of the Cross and to carry our daily crosses without complaint so that they may carry us to Jesus. Amen.

Feast of Santa Francesca Saverio Cabrini

Santa Francesca Saverio Cabrini, ora pro nobis

November 13th is the Feast of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, emigrants, orphans, hospital administrators and victims of malaria. The first naturalized citizen of these United States to be canonized, she came to America on March 31, 1889 at the urging of Pope Leo XIII to help Italian immigrants. She founded numerous institutions dedicated to caring for the poor, the uneducated and the sick, including the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her memorial is also celebrated on December 22nd.

America's first saint

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Mother Cabrini. The accompanying photos were taken at the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in Washington Heights, New York. Evviva Santa Francesca Saverio Cabrini!

Prayer to Mother Cabrini

Almighty and Eternal Father, Giver of all Gifts, show us Thy mercy, and grant, we beseech Thee, through the merits of Thy faithful Servant, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, that all who invoke her intercession may obtain what they desire according to the good pleasure of Thy Holy Will. (here name your request) St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, intercede for us that the favor we now ask may be granted.

158° Aniversário do Falecimento de S.M.F. El-Rei D. Miguel I

In Coimbra, Portugal

Requiem Mass at St. John Vianney Church in Colonia, New Jersey

A Look at the “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300–1350” Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Virgin and Child with Saints Dominic and Aurea, and patriarchs and
prophets, ca. 1312-15, Duccio di Buoninsegna (active 1278-1318)

With over a hundred works drawn from the collections of The Met, the National Gallery in London, and dozens of other lenders, The Metropolitan Museum of Art's ongoing exhibit Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300–1350, is an absolute triumph of the sublime. Boasting an impressive array of paintings, sculptures, and textiles by influential Sienese masters such as Duccio, Lorenzetti, Martini, and others, the viewer is offered an exhilarating glimpse of the dawn of the Italian Renaissance. Rooted in faith and tradition, it is a glorious celebration of Western art.

Upcoming exhibits of note at the Met Fifth Avenue:

• Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature (February 8—May 11, 2025)

• Sargent and Paris (April 27—August 3, 2025)

(L) Madonna and Child, ca. 1290-1300, Duccio di Buoninsegna.
(R) The Annunciation, 1311, Duccio di Buoninsegna

Crucifixion with Saints Nicholas and Gregory, and the
Redeemer with Angels, ca. 3111-18, Duccio di Buoninsegna

Back Predella of Maestà Altarpiece at Siena Cathedral,
ca. 1308-11, Duccio di Buoninsegna

(L) Madonna del Latte, ca 1325, Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1319-47).
(R) Saint Sabinus before the Roman Governor of Tuscany, 1335-42,
Pietro Lorenzetti (active 1320-48) and workshop

(L) Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels, ca. 1350, Lippo Memmi
(active 1317-56). (R) Virgin and Child with Four Saints and Dominican Nun,
ca. 1325, Simone Martini (active 1315-44)

(L) Virgin and Child with Queen Sancia of Naples, Saints, and Angels, ca. 1332-33, Tino di Camaino (ca. 1280–ca. 1337). (R) Virgin and Child with Saints Catherine and John the Baptist, ca. 1340-50, Giovanni di Agostino (ca. 1310-70)

(L) Enthroned Virgin, first half 14th century, Goro di Gregorio (active ca. 1300-1334). (R) Man of Sorrows, ca. 1329-32, Tino di Camaino (ca. 1280–ca. 1337)

(L) Virgin and Child with the Annunciation and the Nativity, ca. 1310-15,
Goodheart Ducciesque Master (active ca. 1310-30) (R) The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine, ca. 1340, Barna Da Siena (active second quarter 14th century)

Detail of the Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine depicting St.
Margaret of Antioch striking the demon Beelzebub with a hammer

Virgin and Child and Man of Sorrows, ca. 1340-45,
Pietro Lorenzetti (active 1320-48)

The Temptation of Christ on the Mountain,
ca. 1308-11, Duccio di Buoninsegna

Virgin and Child and St. Andrew, ca. 1326-30, Simone Martini (active 1315-44)

St. Ansanus and St. Luke, ca. 1326-30, Simone Martini (active 1315-44)

Christ Carrying the Cross from the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de
Berry, 1405-8/1409, the Limbourg Brothers (active 1399-1416)

(L) Angel Gabriel, ca. 1335-40, Simone Martini. (R) Christ
Discovered in the Temple, 1342, Simone Martini (1315-44)

Christ Carrying the Cross and The Crucifixion, Orsini Polyptych,
ca. 1335-40, Simone Martini (1315-44)

Stories from the Life of St. Nicholas, ca. 1332-34,
Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1319-47)

Photo of the Week: Male Figure, Restored as Augustas, Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Male figure, restored as Augustas, 2nd century AD
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Voices of Heritage: From Beneventan Manuscripts to Modern Music Through the Lens of Innovation

The Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Nicola Sala" of Benevento cordially invites you to join us for a remarkable two-day event in New York City, celebrating the ancient Beneventan chants and their evolution into modern music.

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

A Discussion on the Beneventan Manuscripts

Italian Cultural Institute

686 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10065

Guests are warmly invited to enjoy refreshments following the discussion.

Please RSVP here

*

Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Nicola Sala" performing for the first time in New York, presents its inspiring repertoire.

Carnegie Hall

Weill Recital Hall

154 W 57th St., New York, NY

This exclusive event is offered with our compliments.

RSVP here to reserve your tickets, which will be provided upon confirmation.

We look forward to sharing this extraordinary celebration of heritage and innovation with you.

Feast of San Martino di Tours

San Martino di Tours, ora pro nobis

November 11th is the Feast of San Martino di Tours (St. Martin of Tours), soldier, monk, hermit, and Bishop. Traditionally a time of feasting and revelry, the commemoration coincides with the Fall harvests and the drinking of new wines before the penitential season of Advent. Credited with introducing viticulture to parts of Gaul, St. Martin is the patron saint of wine makers. He is also the patron of soldiers, tailors, conscientious objectors, innkeepers, and the poor. 

Widely venerated in Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Aterrana (AV), Sorbo Serpico (AV), San Martino Valle Caudina (AV), San Martino Sannita (BN), Solopaca (BN), Carruba (CT), Castel San Vincenzo (IS), Castelvecchio di Sante Marie (AQ), Gagliano Aterno (AQ), Giffoni Sei Casali (SA), Serre (SA), San Martino Cilento (SA), Laureana Cilento (SA), Drosi (RC), San Martino di Taurianova (RC), Faibano di Camposano (NA), Fasani (CE), Macerata Campania (CE), Settingiano (CZ), Soriano Calabro (VV), Taviano (LE), and Rocca di Neto (KR).

In Southern Italy the Feast is typically celebrated with wine tasting and regional delicacies. L'Estate di San Martino, or Saint Martin's Summer, denotes a period of unseasonably mild weather similar to our Indian Summer. Due to modern cultural changes this is less pronounced than in the past, but some of the traditions associated with the seasonal cycle persist, including celebratory bonfires and winter food preparations. Many, like myself, still celebrate with a simple glass of fortified wine and biscotti di San Martino.

Biscotti di San Martino

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to St. Martin of Tours. The accompanying photo of St. Martin offering his crimson cloak to a naked beggar was taken at Most Precious Blood Church in Manhattan's Little Italy. The figures were part of the church's Neapolitan presepio exhibit in 2015. Evviva San Martino!

Prayer to St. Martin of Tours

Dear well-beloved Saint, you were first a soldier like your father. Converted to the Church, you became a soldier of Christ, a priest and then a Bishop of Tours. Lover of the poor, and model for pagans and Christians alike, protect our soldiers at all times. Make them strong, just, and charitable, always aiming at establishing peace on earth. Amen

Remembering the Fallen — A Prayer for Veterans Day

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

In honor of Veterans Day I’m posting a Prayer for Deceased Veterans. The accompanying photo of the Sixty First District Memorial was taken at Greenwood Playground, my childhood stomping ground, located at the corner of East 5th Street and Greenwood Avenue, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Dedicated on November 11, 1922, the classical bronze relief by Charles Keck commemorates the 47 men of Draft Board District 61 who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI.

Prayer for Deceased Veterans

O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of San Trifone, San Respicio and Santa Ninfa

Saints Tryphon, Respicius and
Nympha, orate pro nobis

Fac nos, quæsumus, Dómine, sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Tryphónis, Respícli et Nymphæ semper festa sectári: quorum suffrágiis, protectiónis tuæ dona sentiámus. Per Dóminum.

November 10th is the Feast of San Trifone, San Respicio and Santa Ninfa, Martyrs. Venerated across Southern Italy, San Trifone is the principal patron of Adelfia–Montrone (BA), Marzano di Nola (AV), Alessano (LE) and Pulsano (TA), among others. Over the centuries, his relics have found their way to several locations throughout Southern Italy, including Ravello (SA), Altilia (KR) and Cerignola (FG). In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Tryphon, Respicius and Nympha in Latin and English. The accompanying photo of the Martyrdom of Saint Tryphon, with Respicius and Nympha was taken at the Duomo di Ravello in 2010. Evviva San Trifone, San Respicio e Santa Ninfa!

Prayer to Saint Tryphon, Respicius and Nympha

Make us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, ever assiduously to observe the festival of Thy holy martyrs, Tryphon, Respicius, and Nymphia, that we may, by their patronage, experience the gifts of Thy protection. Through our Lord.

Feast of Sant'Andrea Avellino

Sant'Andrea Avellino, ora pro nobis

November 10th is the Feast of Sant'Andrea Avellino, Theatine priest and confessor. Invoked against strokes, apoplexy and sudden death, he is one of the co-patrons of Naples and patron saint of Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea, a small town in the Province of Potenza in Basilicata, where he was born in 1521. In celebration, I'm posting a prayer to Saint Andrew Avellino against sudden death. The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church (35-60 158th Street) in Flushing, New York. Evviva Sant'Andrea!

Prayer to Saint Andrew Avellino Against Sudden Death 

I. O most glorious saint, whom God has made our protector against apoplexy, seeing that thou thyself didst die of that disease, we earnestly pray thee to preserve us from an evil so dangerous and so common. Pater, Ave, Gloria. 

Verse  By the intercession of St. Andrew, stricken with apoplexy.   

Response  From a sudden and unprovided death deliver us O Lord. 

II. O most glorious saint, if ever by the just judgment of God we should be stricken with apoplexy, we earnestly beseech thee to obtain for us time enough to receive the Last Sacraments and die in the grace of God. Pater, Ave, Gloria. 

V.  By the intercession of St. Andrew, stricken with apoplexy. 

R.  From  a sudden and unprovided death deliver us, O Lord. 

III. O most glorious saint, who didst endure, before dying, a terrible agony, through the assaults of the devil, from which the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael delivered thee, we earnestly beseech thee to assist us in the tremendous moment of our death.  Pater, Ave, Gloria. 

V.  By the intercession of St. Andrew, stricken with apoplexy. 

R.  From a sudden and unprovided death deliver us, O Lord. 

Amen.

Feast of Sant’Agrippino di Napoli

Sant'Agrippino Vescovo, ora pro nobis

November 9th is the Feast of Sant’Agrippino di Napoli (Saint Agrippinus of Naples), third-century bishop and protector of Naples and Arzano (NA). Sixth Bishop of Naples, he was the city’s first in a long line of patrons. Many miracles have been attributed to Sant’Agrippino, including the sinking of a saracen flagship as it attacked the city.* His relics, along with the bodies of Saints Eutiche and Acuzio (companions of San Gennaro), rest beneath the high altar in the Duomo di San Gennaro in Naples. In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Agrippinus of Naples. The accompanying photo was taken at our 2019 Feast outing. Evviva Sant'Agrippino!

Prayer to Saint Agrippinus of Naples

God our Father, enable us who honor the memory of Saint Agrippinus, bishop and protector of Naples, to share with him in the joy of eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

* “In the time of Pope John XII the Saracens beseiged Naples. Lacking any human aid, the Neapolitans prayed to their patron saints Januarius and Agrippinus. The saints caused the largest Saracen ship to sink, and the other ships fled.” — The Cronica di Partenope: An introduction to and Critical Edition of the First Vernacular History of Naples (c. 1350) by Samantha Kelly, Brill 2011, p. 241

Resumed Sixth Sunday After Epiphany at St. Michael's Church in Staten Island, New York

Remembering King Francesco I of the Two Sicilies

b. 14 August 1777 - d. 8 November 1830

In memory of King Francesco I of the Two Sicilies, we pray for the happy repose of his soul. Viva ‘o Rre!

Eternal rest grant unto His Majesty, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Young Adult Traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary's Church in Norwalk, Connecticut

Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 6)

Stamp for King Ferdinando I of the Two Sicilies' Commissioner
of the Crown with the coat-of-arms of the Kingdom

Digging through my friend’s immense collection of Italian ephemera, I keep uncovering fascinating pieces I believe our readers would appreciate. With permission, I’m sharing pictures of some of the more interesting ones.

(L-R) Società Italiana Circolo Napolitano medal,
Masaniello figurine, and Sicilian Paladin pin

Società Italiana Circolo Napolitano medal

Masaniello figurine

Sicilian Paladin (possibly Orlando) pin

Marranzani

Questions and Answers on Regulations Concerning
Aliens of Enemy Nationalities booklet

Illustration depicting an Italian organ grinder with American Indian

20-cent postage stamp from Micronesia with image of King Roger II of Sicily

Cinderella stamps with the coat-of-arms of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Also see:
• Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 1)
• Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 2)
• Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 3)
• Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 4)
• Helping Preserve Another Great Collection (Part 5)

Retreat for Men with Fr. Perricone at the Immaculate Conception Retreat House in Huntington, New York

Feast of San Leonardo di Noblac (Limoges)

San Leonardo di Noblac, ora pro nobis

November 6th is the Feast of St. Leonard of Noblac (or St. Leonard of Limoges), Forest Hermit, Ascetic, Abbot, and Wonderworker. A sixth century Frankish nobleman in the court of King Clovis I, founder of the Merovingian Dynasty, St. Leonard converted to Catholicism with the King on Christmas Day in 496 AD. As a gift, St. Leonard attained from Clovis the right to liberate any prisoners he deemed deserving of freedom. The Queen, St. Clothilde, is credited with their conversion.

Forgoing the comforts of his station, St. Leonard chose the austere life of a hermit in the forest of Limousin. His reputation of sanctity quickly spread and he soon attracted a large following, especially among redeemed captives. 

One day, while the King was away hunting near St. Leonard's remote bosky hermitage, the expectant Clothilde, went into labor. Unable to return to the Queen in time, Clovis and St. Leonard prayed together for mother and child throughout the night. After safely gaving birth to a princess, also Clothilde, St. Leonard was handsomely rewarded with royal lands at Noblac, where he founded an abbey. 

In the eleventh century many miracles were attributed to the great Saint and his cult spread throughout Europe. Famously, when Prince Bohemond of Antioch, son of Robert the Guiscard, was taken prisoner during the First Crusade he attributed his release to St. Leonard and in gratitude offered silver manacles to the sanctuary of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. 

Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, St. Leonard is the principal patron of Ardore (RC), Portigliola (RC), Roccabascerana (AV), Baselice (BN), Borgia (CZ), Cariati (CS), Trebisacce (CS), Longobardi (VV), Castelmauro (CB), Castelsilano (KR), Colli a Volturno (IS), Forio (NA), Faeto (FG), Mongiuffi Melia (ME), Serradifalco (CL), Màscali (CT), Siculiana (AG), Montallegro (AG), and Partinico (PA). He is also patron saint of captives (prisoners of war, political prisoners, the unjustly imprisoned, etc.), women in labor, blacksmiths, farmers, and livestock.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Saint Leonard of Noblac. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken at the shrine of San Leonardo di Noblac inside the Chiesa San Pietro Caveoso in Matera. Evviva San Leonardo!

Prayer to Saint Leonard of Noblac

O Almighty God, who hast called us to faith in thee, and bast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good examples of thy Saints, and especially of thy servant Leonard, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at length, through thy mercy, we with them attain to thine eternal joy; through him who is the author and finisher of our faith, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book Twelve of the Heritage of Western Greece Series: Empedocles in Sicily

A new title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

• Empedocles in Sicily edited by Jessica Elbert Decker, Jennifer Ferriss-Hill, and Heather L. Reid

Publisher: Parnassos Press - Fonte Aretusa
Publication Date: October 29, 2024
Hardcover: $50.00
Paperback: $40.00
Language: English
Pages: 339

Read description

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Feast of the Holy Relics

All ye holy saints, orate pro nobis

God, in His goodness, has willed that the Saints should be distributed among the nations, so that their aid might never be wanting to us weak mortals. If He has given the principal cities to the greatest Saints for their residence, the grace with which they are endowed for our sake is not confined to the places where their entire bodies rest; where there are but small portions, there is the same power, and God thus gives testimony to their credit in heaven. From the holy deposit the sacred ashes are scattered abroad, and become the seeds of life; let but the least drop be taken from the spring, and it is itself a source producing rivers of grace and of love. ~ St. Paulinus of Nola.1

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII, November 5th is the Feast of the Holy Relics. Formally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of October and other dates (e.g. October 26th according to a 19th century breviary printed in Naples), it is customary for churches, especially those with large collections of relics, to combine the memorials into one general feast so the earthly remains of the Saints in Heaven can be venerated by the faithful.2 To dishonor or profane them is sacrilege and a sin. In celebration, I'm posting the hymn Sanctorum Meritis. Pictured is a reliquary containing the relics of various Martyrs from the Spanish Civil War on the high altar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Sanctorum Meritis

Let us together celebrate the glorious delights merited by the Saints, and their heroic deeds: for the mind exults to proclaim in song these the noblest of conquerors. These are they whom the world in its folly abhorred; while they, the faithful followers of Thy name, O Jesus merciful King of the heavenly citizens, despised the world as barren and devoid of fruits and flowers. For Thy sake they scorned the range of men, their savage threats and cruel stripes: the fiercely rending hook, vanquished by their courage, left the brave heart untouched. Like sheep, they are slaughtered by the sword: not a murmur, not a complaint escapes them; but with unqualing heart, the soul, conscious of right, preserves its patience. What voice, what tongue could relate the rewards Thou preparest for the Martyrs? For, adorned with the purple of their own blood, they bind their brows with victory's glittering laurels. We beseech thee, O supreme and only God, that Thou wouldst cleanse away our sins, remove all evils, and grant peace to Thy servants, that they may sing glory to Thee for all ages to come. Amen.

V. The Saints shall rejoice in glory;
R. They shall be joyful in their beds.

Sources: 

1) Feast of the Holy Relics from saintscatholic.blogspot.com

2) Feast of the Holy Relics from newliturgicalmovement.org