April 16, 2015

A Look at the 2015 Festa Della Madonna Dell'Arco in Ridgewood, Queens

The fujenti arrive at the church with a picture of the Madonna dell'Arco
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
Sunday, April 12th, dozens of pilgrims and fujenti (devotees of the Madonna of the Arch) gathered at St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood, Queens for the Third Annual Festa Della Madonna Dell'Arco. Mass was celebrated in Italian with Father Vincent Miceli, followed by a short procession around the parish to the nearby Peter Cardella Senior Citizen Center. The celebration continued inside the center's Senator Maltese Hall, where about 200 revelers enjoyed a sumptuous meal, terrific music and lots of dancing with DJ Millennium.

I want to thank Nicola Trombetta, President of the Federazione delle Associazioni della Campania USA, for inviting me. Special thanks to President Giovanni Toscano, his wife Barbara and the rest of the Società Madonna SS. dell'Arco for their hard work and giving us this wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our faith and our culture. I had a terrific time and look forward to celebrating with you again next year. Evviva Maria!
Entering Saint Matthias Church
Devotees kneel and pray before the image of the Blessed Mother
After Mass, members of the Società Madonna SS. dell'Arco gather outside Saint Matthias Church for a few pictures
It's alway great to see our friends from the Società Gioventú Quagliettana
The procession saunters through the neighborhood
A good turnout on a beautiful Sunday afternoon
The fujenti sang hymns along the way
(Above and below) celebrants pose for pictures with the image of the Madonna
back at the Peter Cardella Senior Citizen Center
Frances (right) and the gang enjoying the festivities at the center