Feast of San Giovanni Battista

San Giovanni Battista, ora pro nobis

June 24th is the Feast of San Giovanni Battista, the herald of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes called "Summer Christmas," St. John's Day is a celebration of the Birth of St. John the Baptist. The Church solemnly commemorates his Passion on August 29th. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint John the Baptist. The accompanying photo was taken at St. Francis of Paola Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Evviva San Giovanni Battista!

Prayer to Saint John the Baptist

O God, You raised up Saint John the Baptist to prepare a perfect person for Christ. We call upon Saint John's intercession to properly prepare us with a true sense of repentance to receive Your grace and salvation. Make us faithful to truth and justice, as You did Your servant, John the Baptist, herald of Your Son's birth and death. Lord, may You increase Your life within us. Amen.

Feast of San Paolino di Nola

San Paolino di Nola, ora pro nobis

June 22nd is the Feast of San Paolino (354 AD – 431 AD), Bishop and Poet. Patron saint of gardeners and bell-ringers, he is also the principal patron of Nola (NA), Villamaina (AV), Sutera (CL) and Torregrotta (ME). In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to San Paolino. The accompanying photo was taken at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Evviva San Paolino di Nola!

Prayer to San Paolino

O Lord, You made Saint Paulinus renowned for his love of poverty and concern for his people. May we who celebrate his witness to the Gospel imitate his example of love for others. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feast of San Calogero

San Calogero, ora pro nobis

June 18th is the Feast of San Calogero, Calcedonian hermit and miracle worker. Widely venerated throughout Sicily, he is one of the principal patrons of Sciacca (AG), Torretta (PA), San Salvatore di Fitalia (ME), and Agrigento (AG), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to San Calogero. The accompanying photo of the statue of San Calogero was taken at the Societá San Calogero di Torretta clubhouse (7520 20th Ave.) in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Evviva San Calò!

Prayer to San Calogero

O glorious San Calogero, turn your gaze to us and hear our prayer. You have been sent by God to radiate in Sicily the light of the Gospel. You served with penance to seek God in the solitude. You taught the way of salvation and virtue. All call upon thee miracle worker, because by your intercession God gave speech to the dumb, health to the sick, hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. Save us from danger and grant the graces we ask of you. Amen

A Look at the 2013 Giglio di Sant'Antonio in the Bronx

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo 

The crowd makes way for the band during Saturday's celebration 

Before the lifting of the giglio, the Procession heads down Arthur Avenue

Blessing the "Tower of Faith" 

Marching the giglio down 187th Street

Keeping this wonderful Southern Italian tradition alive

"Dancing the giglio" outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

(Above and below) Faith, family and friendship on display 

Another look at the giglio

A feat of strength and devotion

Paranza from East Harlem, Long Island and Brooklyn joined forces in the Bronx

The obligatory sausage and peppers

The perfect ending to an amazing day: dessert at Palombo's

Feast of San Vito Martire

San Vito Martire, ora pro nobis

June 15th is the Feast of San Vito Martire. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, San Vito is invoked against neurological disorders (e.g. Saint Vitus Dance), rabies and animal attacks. He is also the patron saint of epileptics, dancers and actors. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal protector of Aquilonia (AV), Mazara del Vallo (TP), Ciminna (PA), Forio (NA), San Vito sullo Ionio (CZ), Regalbuto (EN), and Torella die Lombardi (AV), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer in Honor of Saint Vitus. The photo was taken at St Lucy's Church, National Shrine of Saint Gerard in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva San Vito!

Prayer in Honor of Saint Vitus

Grant us, O God, through the intercession of St. Vitus, a due estimation of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ; so that, for its salvation, we bear all trials with fortitude. Give this Thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a guide and protector to Christian youths, that following his example they may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of Sant'Antonio di Padova

Sant'Antonio di Padova, ora pro nobis

June 13th is the Feast of Sant'Antonio di Padova (1195-1231), Franciscan Friar, Mystic, Wonderworker, and Doctor of the Church. Affectionately called the "Hammer of Heretics" and "Ark of the Testament," he is invoked to recover lost or stolen items.

On this day in 1799, under the watchful eye of the great saint, Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo and his Army of the Holy Faith (Sanfedisti) liberated the Kingdom of Naples from the clutches of the Jacobin satellite state (Repubblica Partenopea) propped up by the French army and restored HRH King Ferdinand IV to the throne.

Widely venerated across Southern Italy, Sant'Antonio is the principal patron of Andretta (AV), Montefalcione (AV), Afragola (NA), Anacapri (NA), Fardella (PZ), Oppido Lucano (PZ), Gorgoglione (MT), Rotondella (MT), and Nicastro (CZ), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua. The accompanying images depict the victorious Cardinal Ruffo leading the Royalist forces under the protection of Saint Anthony. Evviva Sant'Antonio!

Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua

O glorious St. Anthony, safe refuge of the afflicted and distressed, who by miraculous revelation has directed all those who seek aid to come to Thy altar with the promise that whosoever visits it for nine consecutive Tuesdays, and there piously invokes thee, will feel the power of the intercession. I, a poor sinner, encouraged by this promise, come to thee. O powerful Saint, and with a firm hope I implore thy aid, thy protection, thy counsel and thy blessing. Obtain for me, I beseech thee my request in this necessity. But if it should be opposed to the Will of God and the welfare of my soul, obtain for me such other graces as shall be conducive to my salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Look at the 2013 Festa di San Calogero, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Viva San Calogero!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Ready to begin: outside the Societá San Calogero

di Torretta club on 20th Avenue

(Above and below) The procession makes its way through the neighborhood

San Calogero is carried into Saint Domenic's RC Church

After a wonderful service, San Calogero departs the church

Another look at the procession

The return to the social club 

(Above and below) Family portraits with the saint

The grill master was ready to feed an army

(Above and below) After the procession, friends and families of the Societá San Calogero di Torretta enjoyed a terrific barbecue together at the social club 

A close-up of San Calogero

A Look at the 2013 Festa di San Vito, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Viva San Vito!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo 

(Above and below) The procession makes its way through the neighborhood from the Congrega San Vito di Ciminna club on 18th Avenue

Little Antonio showing the older members that he has what it takes

The color guard beams with pride

Pausing outside Villabate Bakery

The staff at Villabate came out to show their support 

Arriving for Mass at Saint Domenic's RC Church

A look at the Society standard

Sophia and Antonio outside Saint Domenic's

Departing Saint Domenic's

Dom Quartara and the Society did an excellent job

Back at the club, the celebration continues

A close-up of San Vito

A replica of the famous Santissimo Crocifisso from Ciminna

is prominently displayed inside the club