The Search for our Ancestry (XLVI)

A Case Study

By Angelo Coniglio

Sometimes discussing specific cases can help understand the general techniques for researching Sicilian and Italian genealogical records. Below is a request from a reader, and my response. Although it deals with specific surnames, and towns in three different provinces, my responses apply to any search for ancestors. Simply replace the names of the persons and towns below with those of your forebears and their villages, and search the venues indicated for images of original records, where possible. Though many individuals now may be searched for on-line by entering only their names, not every name has been indexed, and often those that have, have been misspelled.

Reader: I’m looking for the Augello and Naso families from Sicily. I have traced back a little but then I am stuck. I am having difficulty finding anything under those surnames before the mid-1800s that seem to be related and I am thinking either there were no records or I don't know the correct spelling. I have Calogero Augello, born 1874, married to Concetta Frattallone, born 1881. For the Naso side I have Stefano Naso, born 1894, marrying a cousin Emily Carmela Naso, born in 1898. I know much of the Naso family was from Palermo. Do you have any suggestions? 

Note: after my correspondence with the reader, she revealed that the Augello’s and Frattalone’s were from Sommatino and Canicatti, and that the Naso’s were from Marineo. My response follows.
 
Images of original civil records of birth, marriage and death for Sommatino (in Caltanissetta Province) are available on microfilm for the years 1820 through 1910. They are available on line for the years 1866 - 1910 on three venues: they are free on the Mormon site familysearch.org and the Italian Archives site at http://bit.ly/ItalianRecordPortal; and they can also be viewed on the paid genealogy site, Ancestry.com. In addition, records for 1820 – 1865 are viewable on line at Mormon FamiilySearch Centers (FSCs) or participating public libraries.

From Ancestry.com, the 1874 birth record of Calogero Augello shows his parents' names as Ignazio Augello, age 34, son of the late Sebastiano, and Crocifissa Sciascia, age 22, daughter of the late Calogero. A margin note on the first page states that Calogero Augello married Concetta Frattalone on 21 September 1902 in Sommatino. At one of the on-line venues noted above you should be able to find their marriage record, which would give their parents' names and whether they were still living in 1902. If deceased, look for the parents’ death records, which will give their ages and their parents' names.

Concetta Frattalone's birth record will also be on line. It will give the age of her father, and you should be able to guess whether he was married after 1865 (men usually married at about age 24). If so, his marriage record will be on line. Once you work back to ancestors with records prior to 1866, you'll have to view them at a Mormon FamilySearch Center. To find a center near you, go to http://bit.ly/LocateFSCs (Aside: the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's paternal ancestors were from Sommatino.)

Civil records are also available for Canicatti (in Agrigento Province) for the years 1866 - 1910 on Ancestry.com; they are also on the Italian Archives site, and are available for all the years 1820 - 1910 on family search.org. Again, for records prior to 1866, you must use a FamilySearch Center computer at an FSC. You cited some information you gleaned from transcribed records at familysearch.org, but wherever possible, you should forego the transcribed records and find the actual images of the original 'atti' (records) of births ('nascite'), marriages ('matrimoni') and deaths ('morti'). These records are in the Italian language, but they give much more detail than the transcribed summaries, which also often contain errors by the transcribers. To help in reading and interpreting the original records, I suggest a book like 'Discovering Your Italian Ancestors' by Lynn Nelson, and viewing of on-line tutorials like the one on familysearch.org at http://bit.ly/ItalianResearch

You originally said the Naso family was 'from Palermo'. Immigrants often gave the name of the province that they were from, and in Sicily and much of the mainland, each province has a capital city with the same name as the province, leading to confusion. When searching for records or seeking assistance in doing so, it's important to make the distinction. Since it turns out that the Naso family was from the town of Marineo, in Palermo Province, you can search for records from that town. Marineo, as well, has on-line civil records for 1820 through 1901.

Coniglio is the author of the book The Lady of the Wheel, inspired by his Sicilian research. Order the paperback or the Kindle version at http://bit.ly/SicilianStory Coniglio’s web page at http://bit.ly/AFCGen has helpul hints on genealogic research. If you have genealogy questions, or would like him to lecture to your club or group, e-mail him at genealogytips@aol.com

Tuesday Stations and Lenten Repast with the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George

Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Mother
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Cav. John Napoli

Each Tuesday, the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George meet at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood in New York City’s historic Little Italy to pray the Rosary and meditate on the Stations of the Cross. When time permits, we also light some candles and pray for saintly intercessions on behalf of the sick, our ancestors, and the Royal Family.

(L-R) San Gennaro, Madonna del Carmine and San Rocco di Potenza

On this 4th Tuesday of Lent, our Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola, vice-chancellor Cav. Patrick O’Boyle and our confratello Count Justin Morin-Carpentier, who is visiting from Paris, France, joined Cavalieri Anthony O'Boyle, Charles Sant'Elia, Vincent Gangone and myself for our weekly prayer session. We showed our esteemed guest around, giving him a brief history of the church and pointing out some of the many interesting artifacts on view (e.g. the statue and relic of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco). We closed our prayer session with the Daily Prayer of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.

We restocked the flyers for our upcoming Solemn High Traditional Latin Mass for the Madonna Addolorata at Most Precious Blood on Friday, March 23rd

Afterward, we broke fast at Acqua Restaurant (21 Peck Slip), our favorite haunt in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. As always, we were warmly welcomed by our dear friend Chef Giuseppe Marrone and his crack wait staff, who presented us with another spectacular Neapolitan seafood and pasta dinner.

Insalata di mare

After grace, our meal kicked-off with Chef Marrone’s insalata di mare. Fresh and tasty, the dish was brimming with calamari, polpo and gamberetti. 

Polpo alla griglia

The seafood salad was followed with some polpo alla griglia, perfectly cooked grilled octopus over chickpea puree, cherry tomatoes and arugula with lemon dressing.

Linguine al sugo di calamari

Ravioli al pomodoro

Gnocchi al pomodoro

While my brethren enjoyed a variety of delicious pasta dishes, I polished off a stewpot of cozze alla marinara with Prince Edward Island mussels cooked in a cherry tomato and white wine sauce.

Cozze alla marinara

A celebration of faith and culture, our jovial and edifying evening came to a close with some limoncello, amaro and a final toast to the memory of our King.

Amaro is my go-to digestivo

Truly a blessing to be in such wonderful company, I cherish these moments of prayer and fellowship with my brethren. We wish the Count a safe and pleasant journey home, and hope to see him again soon. I look forward to seeing my confratelli on Tuesday for our prayer session and the monthly Malta Walk.

Addendum:

Daily Prayer of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Almighty and Merciful Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, in Your immeasurable goodness You have called me into the ranks of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, Your Knight and Martyr. May I never cease to emulate our heavenly patron and with alacrity follow in the footsteps of Your Only-begotten Son, Who is our Alpha and Omega, our Beginning and End.

Impress, O Lord, upon my heart the Sign of Your Holy Cross, and grant that I may bear it honorably and dutifully, in total fealty to You and to the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and to the Vicar of your Son. Bless our Grand Master, His Family and Household, and all our Knights and Dames. Imbue me, moreover, with the particular grace of preserving in diligent charity toward my neighbor, and especially to the sick, the needy, and the abandoned.

All this, Heavenly Father, I beg by the power of the Most Holy Cross upon which throne He Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life did reign, and to Whom with You in the life-giving Holy Spirit be ascribed all honor, glory and power, sovereignty and blessing both now and forevermore. Amen.

Most Holy Mother, Virgin most compassionate, who did stand at the Foot of the Cross, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the fruits of Your Son’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Saint George, Knight and Martyr, may your sacred witness strengthen and inspire us to be generous in the service of the Most Holy Cross, in whose Sign alone can we conquer.

Naples ’44 Coming to DVD

Forthcoming DVD that may be of interest to our readers.

• Naples ’44 directed by Francesco Patierno

DVD: $16.49
Studio: First Run Features
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Number of Disc: 1
Format: B/W, color, widescreen, NTSC

Language: English
Run Time: 85 Minutes
Rated: NR

Available at Amazon.com

A Look at the Santa Croce Camerina Society’s 102nd Annual Tavola di San Giuseppe in Paterson, New Jersey

Evviva San Giuseppe!
Photos courtesy of Raymond Guarini

Thank you Raymond Guarini from Italian Enclaves for sharing your wonderful pictures of the Santa Croce Camerina Society’s 102nd Annual Tavola di San Giuseppe, celebrated on Laetare Sunday at St. Gerard Church (437 West Broadway) in Paterson, New Jersey. It looked like a terrific day, Evviva San Giuseppe!

We encourage our readers to visit Italian Enclaves, a photo catalogue of Italian enclaves in the 21st Century, their sister site Organic Roots, and especially their Twitter and Facebook pages, which are updated daily with information about Italian American history, folklore, and religious and cultural traditions.

(Above & below) Glorious San Giuseppe during Holy Mass and the procession 

(Above & below) After Mass, the statue is carried out of the church 

(Above & below) Procession through the streets of Paterson

After the procession, participants retire to the church hall for some fellowship, a silent auction, and the famous Tavola di San Giuseppe

(Above & below) The Santa Croce Camerina Society's Tavola di San Giuseppe

Feast of San Gregorio Magno

San Gregorio Magno, ora pro nobis

March 12th is the Feast of San Gregorio Magno (St. Gregory The Great), Pope and Doctor of the Church. Patron of teachers, poets and musicians, he is the principal protector of San Gregorio Magno (SA), San Gregorio Matese (CE), Crispano (NA), San Gregorio di Catania (CT), Vizzini (CT), Manduria (TA), Casacanditella (CH), and San Gregorio d’Ippona (VV), among others. In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to St. Gregory The Great. The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Michael's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Evviva San Gregorio Magno!

Prayer to St. Gregory The Great

O invincible defender of Holy Church's freedom, Saint Gregory of great renown, by that firmness thou didst show in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies, stretch forth from heaven thy mighty arm, we beseech thee, to comfort her and defend her in the fearful battle she must ever wage with the powers of darkness. Do thou, in an especial manner, give strength in this dread conflict to the venerable Pontiff who has fallen heir not only to thy throne, but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart; obtain for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned by the triumph of the Church and the return of the lost sheep into the right path. Grant, finally, that all may understand how vain it is to strive against that faith which has always conquered and is destined always to conquer: "this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." This is the prayer that we raise to thee with one accord; and we are confident, that, after thou has heard our prayers on earth, thou wilt one day call us to stand with thee in heaven, before the eternal High Priest, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

Photo of the Week: Museo di Capodimonte, Napoli

Napoli's Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte is a former Bourbon Palace and Italy's largest museum. Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Way of the Cross and Weekly Rosary to Santa Rita with the Figli Maria SS. Addolorata in Brooklyn, NY

Santa Rita, ora pro nobis

Week Five of Fifteen  

That bloodied thorn that pierced your forehead and for you a celestial source of comfort in sorrow – V Mystery of the Rosary of St. Rita

Leading up to the Feast of Santa Rita on May 22nd, members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata hold a weekly prayer session in honor of the patroness of desperate causes. Coming together every Friday at 8pm in the basement of the Nazareth Center, on the corner of 62nd Street and Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, devotees pray in Italian the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary to St. Rita, the Litany of St. Rita, and several other prayers and hymns.

Prayers are also offered for the sick and the happy repose of the souls of our ancestors.

After the service, participants retire to the refectory for some fellowship, coffee, homemade cookies and entertaining games of tombola and scopa. Anyone interested in participating with the Figli Maria SS. Addolorata should call Lucrezia at 917-509-2803 or find them on Facebook at Figli Maria S.S. Addolorata.

Save the Date:

The society will be organizing a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia in Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, May 20th (Details TBA). There will be a Feast Day Mass and small procession on Tuesday, May 22nd, at 7:30pm at St. Athanasius Church (2154 61st St.) in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Evviva Santa Rita!

A Look at “The Pope’s Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force that Defended the Vatican” by Charles A. Coulombe

By Giovanni di Napoli

The sounding of war’s bugles
Impels us to swear loyalty               to the greatest of Kings,
Ignites the soldier’s thought,
Reignites the soldier’s heart.
And raises from deep in the             breast
The song of faith and honor.

— From Inno della Truppa Pontificia di Pius IX—“Evviva Pio” (1867)*

I recently purchased a few books that I’ve been meaning to read and among them was noted Catholic historian Charles A. Coulombe’s The Pope’s Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force that Defended the Vatican. Published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2008, the 260-page book offers readers a sagacious overview of the violence and machinations of the Risorgimento and the men who came to the Holy See’s defense. 

In short, the Pope’s Legion were the Pontifical Zouaves, an elite fighting force made up of Roman Catholic volunteers sworn to defend Blessed Pope Pius IX and the Papal States from the conspiring and belligerent agents of Italian unification (Cavour, Mazzini, Garibaldi, et al.). With great care and sympathy, Mr. Coulombe masterly tells their story, from their founding in French Algeria, to their emotional dissolution in France, and later revival under Prince Alfonso Carlos of Bourbon during the Third Carlist War (1872-1876) in Spain.

While the book primarily deals with the Italian (i.e. Piedmontese) subjugation of the Papal States, it also provides us with a better picture of what correspondingly took place in southern Italy during unification. For example, after the capitulation of the Eternal City, Mr. Coulombe recounts how “the new authorities—ever mindful of propaganda [were] already preparing for one of their customary rigged plebiscites,” (p.171) calling to mind the sham referendums already carried out in 1860 by Garibaldi in Naples and Palermo to ratify the earlier conquest.

Bereft of the usual romantic and fanciful agitprop relating to Garibaldi and company, The Pope's Legion is a welcome candid account of the Risorgimento, where the likes of Victor Emmanuel II and the revolutionary Garibaldini are starkly juxtaposed with Pius IX and his knightly Zouaves.

Although the Holy See was only too aware that Sardinian ships, money, men, and arms were at the moment assisting Garibaldi in conquering Naples, the Pope was less than reassured. Indeed, in May, when Garibaldi began his attack on Naples, he had sent a trusted lieutenant, Zambianchi (known as the “priest slaughterer” for his ordering the massacre of clergy at San Callisto during the 1848 Roman Republic) to start the revolution in the Papal States. (p.65-66)

More than just fighters, the Zouaves also performed humanitarian relief; as in August 1867 when a virulent cholera outbreak struck the beautiful Roman lakeside town of Albano.

Pius IX ordered in the 6th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Zouaves. Upon their arrival, the Pope’s soldiers immediately began their work. Some were assigned to dig graves in the cemetery, where, the first night, ninety corpses were brought to them. The remaining spent their time finding and nursing the sick—feeding them, caring for them, and seeing that the dying received the sacraments. (p.120)

It should be noted, as the Mayor and city council cravenly fled Albano and the “bodies piled up in the streets or rotted in houses,” the exiled royal family of Naples and archbishop Cardinal Altieri selflessly “took their places beside the Sisters of Charity.” (p.119-120)

In the stifling heat, with the odor of death and excrement all round, it must have seemed like a chamber of hell. Cardinal Altieri, the Queen Mother of Naples, and her youngest son, Don Gennaro, caught the disease and died, as did two Dutch Zouaves. One of these, Henri Peters, spent his final hours clutching and kissing a crucifix, his last words being "I know Heaven is before me when all this is past.” (p.120)

Also included is an informative appendices, complete with songs, sites and transcript of Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro-Carambula’s sermon delivered at the memorial Mass for the Pope’s Soldiers on September 20, 2017 at the Church of Corpus Domini in Rome.

From the Neobourbon perspective, one cannot help but be inspired by the Zouaves loyalty and heroism. Counted among the great counter-revolutionaries of yore, these courageous warriors join the immortal ranks of Cardinal Ruffo’s Sanfedisti, the Royalist of the Vendée, the Carlists of Spain, and others. For us, they embody the heroic spirit of the Catholic crusader and deserve to be remembered and honored like our ancestors who bravely fought for King and country on the banks of the Volturno and at Gaeta; who stubbornly held out against all odds at Civitella del Toronto in Abruzzo; and who took to the hills and refused to surrender, even after the Royal Family were deposed and their homeland annexed by Piedmont. 

Insightful, well-researched and entertaining, I highly recommend The Pope’s Legion. 

A prolific writer and speaker, Mr. Coulombe also co-hosts (with Vincent Frankini of Tumblar House) a highly entertaining weekly question and answer show called Off the Menu, which explores a myriad of topics from a traditional Catholic and Monarchist point of view.

* The Pope’s Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force that Defended the Vatican, Charles A. Coulombe, Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, p.221

Order of Malta Lenten Supply Drive a Success

Volunteers busy preparing care packages

Despite the freezing temperature and threat of snow, a dozen volunteers showed up for Tuesday’s Lenten Supply Drive for the Order of Malta’s monthly Bowery Walk at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house (263 Mulberry Street) in Nolita, New York, ready to work and bearing much-needed donations. Normally meeting every third Tuesday of the month, in the charitable spirit of Lent, the group got together an extra day to help replenish their dwindling stores and distribute care packages to the homeless before the forecasted storm.

Though temporarily restocked, supplies do go fast; so any additional aid that can be given will be greatly appreciated. Your contributions enable the Order to help more people in need.

After saying the Daily Prayer to the Order of Malta
volunteers took a group photo before hitting the pavement
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Anyone interested in supporting this noble endeavor can contact the Order of Malta Auxiliary at nycaux@orderofmaltaamerican.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

Happy Women’s Day!

Nonna Pauline

March 8th is La Festa della Donna (Women’s Day), a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions women have made to our community. In southern Italy, bouquets of bright yellow mimosa (and sometimes chocolates) are given to women as a sign of love and respect. To commemorate the occasion, I’m posting “Lace,” a poem by Maria Terrone.* The accompanying photo of my paternal grandmother is part of the familial shrine I set up every year in honor of my beloved foremothers.

Lace

In small Mediterranean towns
women, stooped, and girls
with rag-soft bodies
are making lace intricate as brain circuitry.

See how the light spins through,
imprinting the wall—
not with a maze, but a map
to trace your way home

to women yet unborn who’ll find
the lace at the bottom of a cedar chest,
and marvel.

When the world is like a skein
unravelling, look again to the lace: see
how absence forms its pattern,
and purpose fills even the smallest space.

* Reprinted from Eye to Eye: Poems by Maria Terrone, Bordighera Press, 2014, p. 104

Feast of San Tommaso D'Aquino

San Tommaso D'Aquino, ora pro nobis

March 7th is the Feast of San Tommaso D'Aquino (St. Thomas Aquinas), Doctor of the Church. Considered one of the Church's greatest theologians, he is the patron saint of students, academics, scholars and philosophers. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Aquino (FR), Belcastro (CZ), San Mango d'Aquino (CZ), Falerna (CZ) and Grottaminarda (AV), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Thomas Aquinas. The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Evviva San Tommaso D'Aquino!

Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas

Father of wisdom, You inspired Saint Thomas Aquinas with an ardent desire for holiness and study of sacred doctrine. Help us, we pray, to understand what he taught and to imitate what he lived. Amen

Meridiunalata: A Bilingual Offering of Duosiciliano Poetry

Inspired by Cav. Charles Sant'Elia's Meridiunalata/Southernade,* an evocative bilingual (Neapolitan / English) collection of poetry written between 1989 and 2010, we offer the reader an accessible introduction to vernacular (Neapolitan, Sicilian, et al.) verse with the aim of awakening enthusiasm for contemporary and historical poesia Duosiciliano. 

In this first installment we're featuring the Neapolitan poetry of Pino Rispo and the Calabrian of Ciardullo (Michele De Marco).

Nun me voglio mai stancà 
Di Pino Rispo

I’ scrivo sempe ‘a stessa storia,
D”a storia nosta
Chella senza gloria,
‘A fine ‘e nu regno dint’ ‘a l’anno...
D”o mille e ottuciento sissantuno,
Pecché ‘a vera storia pochi ‘a contano,
Chella d”e brigantii ‘e ‘sti poveri guagliuni,
Chille ca p’’e chistu regno....
Hanno cumbattuto,
I’ scrivo cu n’amarezza dint’ ‘o core,
Scrivo p’ ‘a patria mia,
Songo nu figlio ca vò bene ancora,
Songo nu figlio esiliato, stongo fora,
Ma nun me scordo ‘a patria,
Napule stá sempe cu mme,
‘A porto dint’ ‘o core,
Senza sapè, songo figlio ‘e l’unità!
E propio pè chesto ca me trovo ccá,
I’ scrivo e chiagno,
Comme ‘e primme iuorne...
‘E quarant’anne fà,
Ogge chiagno pe’ ‘st’amara verità,
E ‘a cuntà ‘sta storia...
Nun me voglio mai stancà,
Chiagno pe’ ‘stu populo...
Ca nun sape ancora...
Ca ha perzo ‘a libertà!

I never want to tire
By Pino Rispo

I always write the same story,
Of our history
The one without glory,
The end of a kingdom within a year...
Of the year eighteen hundred sixty,
Because few tell the real story,
That of the brigands and these poor boys,
Those who for this kingdom....
Had fought,
I write with a bitterness in my heart,
I write for my fatherland,
I’m a son who still loves,
I’m an exiled son, I’m abroad,
But don’t forget my fatherland,
Naples is always with me,
I carry her in my heart,
Without knowing, I’m the child of unification!
And exactly for that I find myself here,
I write and cry,
Like the first days...
Of forty years ago,
Today I cry for this bitter truth,
And of recounting this history...
I never want to tire,
I cry for this people...
That still doesn’t know...
That it lost its freedom!

Translated by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia

~

Nna Serenata…
Di Ciardullo (Michele De Marco)

Nna serenata, chilla serenata
Chi sai tu, chi sacc’io, sempre te cantu…
La luna, ianca s’è mpernata
Mienzu allu cielu, e ti lu fa nnu ncantu…

La iumarella abbasciu, guala guala,
Rúccula queta queta e chianu chianu…
Nnu riscignuolu canta a la sepala
E n’aútru lle rispunna cchiù luntanu…

Cum’è bella stasira sta campagna,
Cchi barsamu, Marì, cchi pumpusía!...
Chi ntinni ha sta chitarra chi accumpagna
Sta serenata chi cantu ppe tia…

II

Tu duormi ntra stu liettu ch’è fatatu,
Pecchì cce duormi tu, bellizza mia:
E ntra lu suonnu sienti appassionato
Jire lu nume tue: «Maria, Maria»…

E riesti ppe nna pica, ntantaviglia,
E nun te para no ch’io cantu fore;
Ma, ncantesimu nuovu e meraviglia,
Para ca si ccu mie core ntra core…

Pue sc-canti, te risbigli, sienti, riri,
E abbazi sutt’a tie lu cusciniellu;
Nun iati ppe me sentere, suspire,
E ntra li labra dici «Povariellu!»…

III

Povariellu… Lu sai ca nnu pensieru,
Unu surtantu rot antra ssa capu…
Tu sula me capisci ppe daveru,
Tu de le pene mie nun te fa’ gapu…

Quannu, bellizza mia, quannu, rispunna,
Trase la pace ntra ssu core mio?
Iamu sbattuti sempre cumu l’unna,
Nun riposamu mai nnè tu e nnè io…

Me pare de te sentere: «Ha ‘raggiune»…
Dici, e sienti le lacrime saglìre.
Fatte curaggiu, è l’urtimu scalune:
Ha de finire, bella, ha de finire!...

A Serenade
By Ciardullo (Michele De Marco)

A serenade, that serenade
That you know, that I know, I always sing to you…
The white moon has set itself
In the middle of the sky, and charms you…

The little stream below, uniformly,
Murmurs so quietly and so slowly…
A nightingale sings in the bush
And another answers him further off…

How beautiful is the countryside this evening,
So soothing, Maria, what majesty!...
What sounds has this guitar that accompanies
This serenade that I sing for you…

II

You sleep in this that is enchanted,
Because you sleep there, my beauty;
And in slumber you hear passionately
Reciting your name: «Maria, Maria»…

And you stay for a bit, between sleep and wakefulness,
And it doesn’t seem to you that it is I outside singing;
But, a new spell and wonder,
It seems you are heart to heart with me…

Then you give a start, you awake, you hear, laugh,
And raise the little pillow underneath you;
You don’t go to listen to me, you sigh,
And through your lips say, «Poor dear!»…

III

Poor dear… You know that a thought,
Only one turns round and round in my head…
Only you really understand me,
You are not surprised by my sufferings…

When, my beauty, when, will you respond,
Will peace enter this heart of mine?
We always go on thrashed about like the waves,
We don’t ever rest, neither you nor me…

I seem to hear you: «You’re right»…
You say, and you feel tears rising up.
Take courage, it is the last obstacle:
It shall end, beautiful one, it shall end!... 

Translated by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia 

* 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.

Celebrating Low Mass at Brooklyn’s Visitation Monastery

Brooklyn's Visitation Monastery
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

Sunday evening my friends and I attended Low Mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel of Visitation Monastery (8902 Ridge Blvd.) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. An oasis of prayer and meditation, the visit to the monastery was the perfect ending to my extended family’s hebdomadal Sunday get-together.

Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Stephen Saffron, Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was dutifully assisted by several servers from the Church of the Holy Innocents in Mid-town Manhattan.

Jesus appearing to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Photo courtesy of Visitation Monastery

We were very happy to learn that the Visitation Sisters are considering the possibility of offering Sunday Latin Mass regularly at the Monastery. This was most welcome news, seeing as it would make it much easier for many of us to attend Latin Mass more frequently.

Also, according to Fr. Saffron, the next Latin Mass to be celebrated at the Sacred Heart Chapel will be in June for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will provide more details when they become available.

Afterward, we had a chance to admire the church’s beautiful stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross, and the large mural of the Sacred Heart of Jesus appearing to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque behind the high altar.

Thank you to the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary for organizing the Mass and warmly welcoming us inside your beautiful chapel and monastery grounds. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith together.

Photo of the Week: Salvo D'Acquisto Memorial on the Via Toledo at Piazza Carità, Napoli

Salvo D'Acquisto Memorial on the Via Toledo at Piazza Carità, Napoli 

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Feast of San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce

San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce, ora pro nobis

March 5 is the Feast of San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce (1654–1734), Priest of the Order of Friars Minor, Mystic, Ascetic, and Miracle-Worker. He is the patron saint of the Isle of Ischia. In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. John Joseph of the Cross. Pictured is an engraving of the saint by Innocente Alessandri after Pietro Antonio Novelli. Evviva San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce!

Prayer to St. John Joseph of the Cross

St. John Joseph, we ask today for your mighty intercession, to pray for us that we learn humility and seek an attitude of service so we, too, may follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In His Mighty Name we pray, Amen.

First Friday, Way of the Cross, and Eucharistic Adoration

Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Friday morning I made my way through the sleet and slush to Saint Ephrem’s Church (929 Bay Ridge Pkwy.) in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn to celebrate Mass and fulfill my devotions.

For the third consecutive month of my First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, before the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I conducted my Holy Hour of Reparation, which included the Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee. 

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. 

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.

Station XIII: Jesus is taken down from the Cross

After Mass, I joined the congregation in performing the Stations of the Cross. Beginning with His condemnation, we circled the nave on a mini pilgrimage imitating the Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way) in Jerusalem, praying and meditating on the 14 stations depicting the Crucifixion.

O Mary, Mother most sorrowful, the sword of grief pierced thy soul when thou didst see Jesus lying lifeless on thy bosom; obtain for me hatred of sin because sin slew thy Son and wounded thine own heart, and grace to live a Christian life and save my soul.

Monstrance with consecrated Eucharistic Host

Following the Stations, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the altar in an ornate monstrance for adoration. Sitting quietly in His Presence, I opened myself to His Graces and contemplated the Mystery of Christ before us. 

As St. Alphonsus Liguori teaches, 

“of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the Sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” 

So as not to disturb others, I waited for the church to empty before taking my pictures.

Bowery Walk and Lenten Supply Drive

This Tuesday, March 6th, at 7:30 PM join the Order of Malta Auxiliary for their Bowery Walk and Lenten Supply Drive. Volunteers will meet at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house at 263 Mulberry Street in lower Manhattan to prepare and distribute food to the homeless. We ask that you kindly take a look at the list below and bring anything you might be able to help bulk up our supplies for this event and more to follow.

Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, body soap, shampoo / conditioner, shaving gel, granola bars, fruit, protein bars, small bags of popcorn, chips, dandwich items (or other ways for protein), bottles of water (small), and powerade / gatorade-individual powdered packets

Anyone interested in supporting this noble endeavor can contact the Order of Malta Auxiliary at nycaux@orderofmaltaamerican.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

March — A Poem by Salvatore Di Giacomo

The month of March is named after
Mars, the god of war. Relief from
Villa San Michele, Capri

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Reprinted from The Bread and the Rose: A trilingual Anthology of Neapolitan Poetry from the 16th Century to the Present, edited by Achille Serrao and Luigi Bonaffini, Legas, 2005 p. 136.

Marzo

Marzo: nu poco chiove

e n' ato ppoco stracqua:

torna a chiovere, schiove,

ride 'o sole cu ll'acqua.

Mo nu cielo celeste,

mo n'aria cupa e nera:

mo d' 'o vierno 'e tempeste,

mo n'aria e primmavera.

N' auciello freddigliuso

aspetta ch' esce 'o sole:

ncopp' 'o tturreno nfuso

suspireno 'e vviole...

Catarì!... Che buo' cchiù?

Ntiénneme, core mio!

Marzo, tu 'o ssaie, si' tu,

e st'auciello songo io.

March

March: there's a bit of rain,

just a bit later it stops:

it starts, then it stops again,

the sun laughs with the drops.

A moment of clear azure,

a moment of clouds threatening:

a moment of winter's fury,

a moment of glorious spring.

A shivering bird nearby

waits for the sun to return,

while all of the violets sigh

over the sodden terrain.

Caterina!... Isn't it clear

from what you've already heard?

You know, you are March, my dear, 

and I am that little bird. 

* English translation by Michael Palma

New Book — Sicilian Studies: A Guide and Syllabus for Educators

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

• Sicilian Studies: A Guide and Syllabus for Educators by Jacqueline Alio and Louis Mendola

Publisher: Trinacria Editions
Publication Date: May 14, 2018
Paperback: $20.63
Language: English
Pages: 220

Read description

Click here to see more books

Around the Web: Excerpt from Off the Menu Episode 57 — "Italian Unification: Good or Bad?"

Historian Charles A. Coulombe and co-hosts Vincent Frankini of Tumblar House briefly discuss Italian Unification on their highly entertaining weekly question and answer show, Off the Menu.

Watch episode: Italian Unification: Good or Bad?