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Viva San Giuseppe!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
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Hundreds gathered at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Ridgewood, Queens on Sunday (March 22nd) to celebrate the annual Festa di San Giuseppe. Mass was held in Italian by Father Thomas, followed by a procession through the neighborhood with marching bands and the saint’s statue.
Sponsored by the Associazone Cattolica Italiana di Miraculous Medal, there was a terrific turnout with plenty of support from several other Italian American societies. As always, it was great to see our friends from the Congrega San Gerardo Maiella di Brooklyn, Società Concordia Partanna, Maria SS. Delle Grazie di Montevago, St. Rocco Society of Potenza and New York City's Sicilian Food, Wine & Travel Group.
After the procession, the marchers returned to the Notre Dame Catholic Academy gymnasium behind the church for the benediction. We warmed-up inside with some caffè and lite fare, and were treated to a few more songs by the Giglio Band. Guests mingled and spoke Sicilian, but sadly no one recited poetry this year. After the raffle, blessed loaves of bread were distributed to the attendees and flowers from the statue were given to the ladies.
Special thanks to President Tony Mulé and members of the Associazone Cattolica Italiana for their warmth and hospitality. My friends and I had a great time and we look forward to celebrating with them again next year. Viva San Giuseppe!
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| Making our way to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church |
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After Mass, our beloved patron is carried out to the expectant crowd
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| The color guard leads the way |
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| The procession makes its way through the neighborhood |
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Members of the Congrega San Gerardo Maiella di Brooklyn show their support
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| Numerous devotees brave the cold |
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| Halfway through, we stopped by the Società Concordia Partanna clubhouse to honor San Francesco di Paola |
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Members of the Associazone Cattolica Italiana di Miraculous Medal take turns pulling the vara, or cart
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| The Giglio Band kept the festivities rolling |
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Afterward, we returned to a packed gymnasium for the party
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| A foolproof (and fun) way to keep the raffle drawings fair |
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| Boxes of blessed bread were distributed to attendees |
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| (Above and below) Men give flowers to the ladies |
