Celebrating the Feast of Santa Maria Maddalena

Santa Maria Maddalena, ora pro nobis

On Wednesday evening, a few close friends and I celebrated the Feast of Santa Maria Maddalena. We began, as every Christian feast should, at Holy Mass before gathering afterward for dinner at a small Spanish restaurant.

For many, Santa Maria Maddalena is best remembered for her conversion and unwavering devotion to Christ. For me, she is one of my personal patrons, reminding me that no past is beyond God’s mercy and that even the most wayward soul may be transformed through prayer, penance, and grace.

The evening itself was simple, filled with good food, good wine, and the company of dear friends. While far removed from her ascetic life, it was nevertheless an opportunity to honor our glorious patroness, to reflect upon her example, and to give thanks for the grace that continually calls each of us to conversion. Evviva Santa Maria Maddalena!

~ BY Giovanni di Napoli, July 23rd, Feasts of St. Apollinaris and St. Liborius

Pulpo a Féira

Chorizos Al Infierno

Arroz Caldoso

Grand Opening of O' Sapore 67 in Tappan, New York

An Afternoon at Coney Island

Entrance to the Scream Zone with the iconic Steeplechase Face 

For old times’ sake, a few friends and I spent the afternoon at Coney Island. It had been years since we’d gone together, and it felt good to revisit a place that held so many memories.

With the ocean breeze cutting through the summer heat, we strolled the historic boardwalk, watched the waves roll in, and took in familiar landmarks like the Parachute Jump and the legendary Cyclone. We also stopped by the Coney Island Museum, whose exhibits preserve the rich, wonderfully eccentric history of one of New York’s most iconic seaside destinations. Later, we enjoyed drinks at the Freak Bar, where the spirit of old Coney Island—with its carnival atmosphere and sideshow traditions—still lingers.

No visit to Coney Island would be complete without a stop at Nathan’s Famous for a couple of hot dogs and fries.

In memory of my late uncle, and to keep his favorite joke alive, I performed it for my friends. Before ordering, I asked the young lady behind the counter whether she had frog legs.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Good,” I said. “Then hop over there and get me a couple of hot dogs.”

My friends laughed, and for a brief moment it felt as though my uncle were there with us. Some traditions—and some jokes—are simply too good to retire.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, June 28th, Feast of St. Irenaeus

The legendary Cyclone roller coaster

Deno's carousel

A closer look at the beautifully carved horses

The Wonder Wheel

A view from the Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier

(L) The Parachute Jump. (R) A seagull perched on a
lampost along Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier

A view of the surprisingly empty beach from
the Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier

I still miss the New York Cosmos

A mural of a mermaid

The Coney Island Museum was well worth a visit.
Unfortunately, photography of the exhibits was not permitted.

The iconic Steeplechase Face seems to be everywhere at Coney Island

Antique Steeplechase Face buttons

Vintage signs inside the Freak Bar

An old box of Bonomo’s saltwater taffy on display

(L) Vintage playbill advertising performances by Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Ray Walker, Jimmy Durante, Helen Twelvetrees, Mae West, and other stars of the era. (R) Photograph of Madam Tirza (the stage name of Leona DuVal), the trailblazing burlesque performer whose famous “Wine Bath” act entertained audiences at Coney Island from 1940 to 1953

Vintage painted carnival pins once used in a classic knockdown game

A cluttered wall behind the bar, covered with
an eclectic assortment of Coney Island memorabilia

Illuminated sideshow signs, including one for Princess Alena, the “Gorilla Girl”

The Original Nathan's Famous, founded in 1916

Nathan's Famous hot dogs and fries

Nathan's Famous deep-fried, battered frog legs

The legendary Williams Candy Shop, serving Coney Island since 1941

(L) A table inside the Freak Bar featuring the iconic Steeplechase Face. (R) Some of the many delicious sweets in Williams Candy Shop

Smoke, Fellowship, and St. John the Baptist: The Sons of the Two Sicilies Pipe Club Returns to Brooklyn

A small devotional shrine dedicated to San Giovanni Battista

Ut queant laxīs
resonāre fibrīs
Mīra gestōrum
famulī tuōrum,
Solve pollūtī
labiī reātum,
Sāncte Iohannēs.

On the Vigil of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, members of the Sons of the Two Sicilies Pipe Club gathered at Amunì ristorante in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for their third Pipe Night dinner.

Partygoers enjoyed a Sicilian repast prepared by our gracious host, Chef Vincent Dardanello. Among those present were members of the San Rocco Society di Potenza and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. Special thanks are due to the Order’s Delegate, Cav. John Viola, and Vice-Delegate, Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, for their support of the evening.

In addition to fine food and fellowship, attendees enjoyed a curated exhibition of four landscape paintings by Professor David DiPasquale, a display of antique pipes and vintage brochures from Brooklyn’s former Don-Lou Pipe Shop, a tasting of Sicilian wines, and a makeshift shrine dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Our friends from the Italian American Podcast recorded interviews throughout the evening, while attendees shared their favorite blends and showed off pipes from Southern Italy and around the world. One fortunate guest departed with the evening’s door prize, a copy of The Question of Hispanidad: History, Culture, and Politics (Arouca Press, 2026) by Miguel Ayuso, courtesy of Il Regno.

Fr. Michael Barone, Fr. Leo Joseph Camurati, O.P., Canon Adrian Sequeira, and Canon Alexis Rouquayrol joined the festivities. Canon Rouquayrol offered grace before the meal and later led the group in chanting the ancient hymn Ut queant laxīs as attendees gathered in the backyard for pipes, cigars, Chartreuse, espresso, dessert, and conversation beneath the summer evening sky.

The evening concluded in a spirit of fraternity, gratitude, and devotion to St. John the Baptist. More important than the food, drink, or prizes, however, was the opportunity to renew old friendships, forge new ones, and strengthen the bonds that unite our community. Those present departed with the shared hope that Pipe Night will once again become an annual observance on the Vigil of the Forerunner. Evviva San Giovanni!

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, June 24th, Feast of St. John the Baptist

San Giovanni Battista, ora pro nobis

    Guests enjoyed a select exhibition of four thought-provoking landscape paintings by Professor David DiPasquale, displayed throughout the evening

The flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

A collection of antique pipes from the former Don-Lou Pipe Shop in Brooklyn

Vintage brochures from Brooklyn's former Don-Lou Pipe Shop

Attendees shared their favorite pipe tobacco blends

An antique pipe from Salzburg, Austria

An intriguing pipe of unknown origin, adorned with two unusual carved faces

(L) A copy of The Question of Hispanidad: History, Culture, and Politics by Miguel Ayuso. (R) Canon Rouquayrol offered grace before the meal 

Attendees stand and face the flag during the playing of
the National Anthem of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Attendees raise a toast and extend their best wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Palermo and Calabria, on the occasion of her birthday

Tagliere di salumi, formaggi e olive

Arancini

Carciofi fritti

Pesto alla Trapanese

Pasta al forno

Shrimp oreganata

Parmigiana di melanzane

Milanesa de Pollo

Iris

Nero d'Avola and Chartreuse

Professor David DiPasquale discusses the religious
dimensions of his landscape paintings

Canon Alexis Rouquayrol chants the ancient Hymn to Saint John

Guests mingle and enjoy pipes and cigars in the backyard

A.J. and Pat share a laugh with Father Leo

    The evening concludes in the backyard with pipes, cigars,
Chartreuse, espresso, dessert, and conversation