October 15, 2015

Unveiling San Vincenzo Martire at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy

San Vincenzo Martire di Craco at Most Precious Blood Church
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
Saturday morning (Oct. 10th), I had the great privilege of being a part of the Craco Society's unveiling of San Vincenzo Martire's new wooden display case at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy. Set atop the so-called "Guariglia Altar" (a memorial dedicated to members of the Guariglia family, who hailed from Craco), we took San Vincenzo out of storage in the choir loft and placed him into the beautifully crafted gilded encasement. Inexplicably, droplets of water appeared at the base of the wood case! Dismissed without a thought by many in attendance, a few of us (myself included) took it as a sign that the saint was pleased with his new home. As might be expected, we finished our preparations for the upcoming Feast with added enthusiasm.

This year's Feast of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco will be celebrated on Sunday, October 25th at Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter Street) at 10AM. Evviva San Vincenzo!
The saint's new display case is carried into the Church
A look at the so-called "Guariglia Altar"
Memorial plaque on the altar
(Above and below) Unpacking San Vincenzo
The statue was carefully placed into his new case
Eyewitnesses inspect the mysterious liquid that appeared on the case
Members of the Craco Society pose with their beloved patron
Parish staffers John Amerise and Bill Russo have been instrumental in helping the Craco Society settle into Most Precious Blood Church
(Left) The society's small upright statue was also brought to the church 
(Right) The bone relic and blood reliquary were placed at the saint's feet
Reunited at long last: After months of separation, San Vincenzo and
San Rocco are together again at Most Precious Blood Church