A Look at the 19th Annual Festa di San Donato in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Viva San Donato! 
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Friday after work, I made my way to Williamsburg, Brooklyn for the 19th Annual Feast of San Donato. Organized by Francesca Mazza (and her gracious family) the ceremony took place outside their beautiful home at 158 Conselyea Street.

Normally held on August 7th, this year's celebration was postponed a few weeks because Franca and her family made a pilgrimage to Sassano (SA) for the Feast of San Rocco. Little by little the intimate celebration continues to grow, attracting new devotees every year. Thankfully, the change in date did not adversely affect this year's turnout.

Thank you Franca for your hard work and dedication. As always, you did a magnificent job. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate with you and I look forward to doing so again next year. Viva San Donato!

An altar is erected in front of the Mazza residence

The reliquary sits on the altar

A close-up of San Donato's relic

Before Mass, we pray the Rosary

Nearly one hundred pilgrims celebrated Mass

Father Tom gave an impassioned homily

After Mass, devotees venerate the relic

We were treated to some delicious refreshments

Pastiera di spaghetti (spaghetti pie)

Le Chiacchiere

Thank you to the Mazza family for your kindness and generosity

Photo of the Week: Statue of Roberto Guiscardo at Montecassino

Robert Guiscard (the Cunning), Duke of Apulia and Calabria, Montecassino Abbey

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

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Scenes From the 40th Anniversary Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Arancini, stuffed with peas and ragù
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Last night, after work, I decided to stop by the Santa Rosalia Feast one more time before Sunday's procession and Mass. Unable to go on Friday (because I'll be attending the Feast of San Donato in Williamsburg) or Saturday (because I'll be attending the Feast of San Rocco in Astoria) this was going to be my last chance to partake in the festivities and enjoy the delicious Palermitano street fare.

Sfincione, Sicilian focaccia topped with tomatoes, onions and anchovies

Without my Friday Fast restrictions, I was able to enjoy the grilled meats 

Marinated peppers 

I was going to try something different for dessert,
but I couldn't resist having another Baked Iris

Congratulations Therese and Giuseppe!

Compra Sud — Michela Musolino

Let's support those who keep our traditions and folkways alive

Michela Musolino
Musician (singer, percussionist)

www.michelamusolino.com

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* Our recommendations will be unsolicited, and only from our personal experience. No second hand suggestions will be made.

Photo of the Week: Arcangelo Michele at Villa San Michele in Anacapri, Capri

Arcangelo Michele at Dr. Axel Munthe's Villa San Michele in Anacapri, Capri

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

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Scenes from the 40th Anniversary Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

I had such a good time yesterday I couldn't wait to come back

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Devotees pin donations on to the saint at the outdoor chapel

Even though I abstain from meat on Fridays, I had no problem finding something delicious to eat for supper. I started off with a delicious rapini arancini

Next, I enjoyed some littleneck clams on the half shell

followed by a half dozen baked clams

with a little seafood salad on the side

I completed my meal with an espresso and one of my all-time favorite pastries, a Baked Iris (stuffed with sweet ricotta) from Villabate Alba Pasticceria

Opening Night at the 2015 Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Evviva Santa Rosalia!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Yesterday kicked off the 2015 Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. A neighborhood staple for 40 years, the celebration features nightly entertainment, games, rides, and plenty of delicious food. The festivities continue until Sunday, August 30th. 

Enjoy the many amusements, but please don't forget the true reason for the celebration and honor our glorious patroness Santa Rosalia. The procession from the chapel (18th Ave. and 72nd Street) starts Sunday, August 30th at 2 PM. Mass will be celebrated at St. Dominic's Church (2001 Bay Ridge Pkwy) at 3 PM.

Opening night was a blast! Meeting up with some friends for dinner and a little lighthearted revelry brought back a lot of fond memories. 

Be sure to visit our friends Jill and RoseAnn at the Big Chair
for a few laughs and a fun souvenir

Stop by Lucy's and try some of their delicious Sicilian specialties.
 Sal started me off with some grilled stigghiola 

Stigghiola (roasted lamb intestines)

Boiled pork hocks and feet 

Fried peppers and marinated artichoke hearts 

Grilled octopus 

Our new friend Lidia enjoyed some pig's feet salad 

For dessert, I devoured my brioche con gelato at Villabate Alba Pasticceria

Caffe Italia still makes one of the best shots of espresso in Brooklyn

Viva San Rocco!

A Look at the 126th Annual Feast of San Rocco in NYC

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

There was a tremendous turnout and terrific atmosphere for Sunday's (August 16th) Feast of San Rocco. I'm happy to say our concerns about the new venue were unwarranted, as celebrants (old and new) showed up in force to welcome our beloved patron to his new home at Most Precious Blood Church in historic Little Italy.

Bedecked with flowers, the packed church resounded with the beautiful voice of cantor Susan Mello and the songs and prayers of the worshippers. We were honored to celebrate Mass with Most Reverend Bishop John O'Hara and Monsignor Donald Sakano, who provided crucial support to the San Rocco Society during this difficult period. Both were instrumental in the society's amenable move from the now closed Saint Joseph's Church.

In addition to the commitment from the diocese, the near seamless transition to the new location can be attributed to the Herculean will of President Stephen LaRocca and members of the San Rocco Society, who worked tirelessly to make this event a huge success. Special thanks are in order to Bill Russo, John Amerise and the rest of the parish staff for their hard work and boundless hospitality. It was a huge privilege to be able to celebrate our faith and culture together, and be a part of this glorious 126-year tradition. Viva San Rocco!

The society's first Mass at Most Precious Blood Church in historic Little Italy
was celebrated with Most Reverend Bishop John O'Hara

After Mass, San Rocco is presented to the eager crowd

Jubilation ensued when San Rocco descended the stairs: The band played solemnly as the church bells tolled, confetti sticks exploded and people cheered for our beloved patron (photo courtesy of Bill Russo)

Devotees pin donations on to the saint  

Revelers dance in the streets 

Our pals Deacon Bill di Schiavo (from the Saints Cosmas and Damian Society of Utica, NY), Marcantonio Pezzano (from the Saint Anthony of Padua Benevolent Society of Elmont, LI) and St. Rocco's own Andrew Giordano show their support  

Our friend Kathryn Archipolo holds a wax ex-voto of a leg. Anatomical votive offerings (vote di cera) like this are made in gratitude for a Saint's intercession and healing of ailing body parts 

The procession makes its way down Bayard Street

The color guard stand proud

Our buddies Enza and Robert from the St. Francis College Italian American Historical Society join the celebration

(Above and below) Our friends from the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata always show San Rocco tremendous support

It's always great to see our friends from Club Sassanese d’America  

We briefly returned to Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe Street)
to pay our respects and remember our history 

A handful of devotees remain in Knickerbocker Village

Generations of the faithful carry the cinte (candle house) 

The procession saunters through Little Italy

Andrew made a couple of new friends along the way 

In my humble opinion, the Giglio Band were never better

(Above and below) There are still devotees in Little Italy as well

Photo courtesy of Andrew Giordano

Marcantonio Pezzano and Stefano Monforte performed
all our favorite Neapolitan songs and Italian American standards 

(Above and below) Back at the church undercroft, revelers trip the light fantastic