July 31, 2016

Photo of the Week: Craco Vecchio

Grazie mille Andrew Giordano for sharing your wonderful photo of the ghost town of Craco vecchio (old Craco) in Matera, Basilicata

July 29, 2016

Evviva Sant'Anna! A Look at the 106th Annual Feast of Saint Ann in Hoboken, New Jersey

The high altar inside the newly restored St. Ann Church
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
After Mass, Sant'Anna is presented to the expectant crowd
The color guard lead the procession
The roisterous John Duke Band
Members of the St. Ann's Guild show up in force
(Above and below) the procession wends its way through the neighborhood
Members of the Padre Pio Prayer Group show their support
A yard shrine dedicated to Sant'Anna
Truglio's (left) and Mario's Pizza (right) offered refreshments to the participants
(Above and below) Failla Memorial Home handed out watermelon, ice-cream, chocolates, sfogliatelle and prosciutto sandwiches
These little cuties found a shady stoop to keep cool
(Left) Our friends at The Madonna Dei Martiri Society had plenty of delicious focaccia and cold water for everyone. (Right) We took a moment to visit San Corrado di Moletta inside the clubhouse
San Giacomo greets Sant'Anna outside the Monte San Giacomo clubhouse
Donations are pinned on to San Giacomo
San Giacomo joins the Procession
The ladies take over for awhile
After about three hours we return to the church
Sant'Anna and San Giacomo are placed before the altar
Outside the church we met a few of our friends from the Our Lady of the Snow Society and St. Rocco Society of Potenza
Afterward, we joined our pals John and Andrew at the Monte San Giacomo Society clubhouse for some ice-cold beers and their famous roast beef and hot pepper sandwiches

July 27, 2016

Requiescat in Pace: Fr. Jacques Hamel

Madonna dei martiri, Hoboken, NJ
Photo by New York Scugnizzo
The barbaric slaughter of Father Jacques Hamel during Mass in St.-Étienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen, Normandy on July 26th was the latest in a spate of Islamic terror attacks. We pray for the victims and their families, but recognize prayer without action will not extirpate this scourge. We must rid ourselves of the corrupt, power hungry madmen who cling to spurious worldviews at our expense. The apologists and cowards need to be held accountable for their treachery.
May Saint Michael, Saint Ouen and Saint Joan of Arc protect and watch over you.
A Prayer to St. Joan of Arc
In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen. 
Also see:
A Prayer for Nice
A Prayer for Policemen
A Prayer for Brussels
Solidarité

July 26, 2016

A Look at the 5th Annual Traditional Pilgrimage at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem

The coronated statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Photos by Stuart Chessman and New York Scugnizzo
By Giovanni di Napoli
Scores of pilgrims from around the tri-state area gathered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem, New York on Saturday, July 23rd for the 5th Annual Traditional Pilgrimage. In reverence and humility, many of the participants entered the church on their knees and discalced. Some presented altar flowers to the glory of God. 
Warmly welcomed by Pastor Fr. Marian Wierzchowski, festivities began with an edifying talk about the Blessed Mother by Fr. James Miara, pastor of the Church of the Holy Innocents. Confession was also made available.
Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary form was celebrated by Canon Matthew Talarico, provincial superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.  Fr. Christopher Salvatori was the deacon and Fr. Richard Cipolla, pastor of St. Mary RC Church, Norwalk was the sub deacon. The service concluded with a procession around the church interior.
Members of the congregation were then given the opportunity to venerate the relics of Saint Vincent Pallotti and Saint Elena di Laurino.
Afterward, in a private ceremony in the sacristy, our very own Cav. John Napoli and good friend Cav. Charles Sant’Elia, president of the Comitati Due Sicilie USA, were invested with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The postulants stood abreast as Fr. Marian conducted the sacred rite. Blessing the scapulars and performing the Aspersion, Fr. Marian awarded the men small wool devotionals. Following the prayers, the devotees embraced and congratulated one another. It was the perfect ending to our pilgrimage.
Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Taking our leave, a few of us decided to continue the celebration a little closer to home. Making our way to Little Italy we stopped by bustling Mulberry Street Bar for a few cocktails. Rehashing the day’s highlights, we discussed upcoming events and future projects. Vivian, the historic watering hole's gregarious barkeep, stopped by our table to chat for a bit and generously bought us a round. Naturally, we drank to her health and toasted her beloved patron, San Gennaro.
Getting hungry, we eventually moved on to Margherita NYC, a lively little joint specializing in traditional Neapolitan pizza and pasta dishes. For dinner we enjoyed a delicious dish of cavatelli alla Sorrentina
In these dark times, when one is constantly inundated with bad news and subjected daily to the cultural and moral decline that comes with the breakdown of civil society, opportunities of fellowship and religiosity like this are becoming increasingly more meaningful and invaluable to our community. I cannot thank the organizers and parish staff enough for giving us this spectacular opportunity to come together and celebrate our faith and culture. Special thanks to the U.S. Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George for their hard work and continued support in these endeavors. The warmth and sincerity of the participants was truly heartening. I pray for the Traditional Pilgrimage's continued success and look forward to coming back again. 
Decked out in their blue mantles, the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George partook in the entrance procession
Solemn High Mass celebrated by Canon Mathew Talarico
During Mass, the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was displayed next to the altar, beneath the revered statue of the Madonna del Carmine
(L) Relic of Saint Vincent Pallotti and (R) Fr. Richard Cipolla with the relic of Sant'Elena di Laurino
Honor Guard stands sentinel by the Sant'Elena di Laurino bye-altar 
Celebrants gather around the bye-altar to venerate the saint
Sant'Elena di Laurino
Praying by the bye-altar 
Back in the sacristy, John, Anthony, Andrew and Charles pose with our gracious host pastor Fr. Marian Wierzchowski
Our new friends Antoinette and Pam in the church gift shop
For additional coverage visit sthughofcluny.org

July 24, 2016

Photo of the Week: Naples Waterfront with Mount Vesuvius in the Distance (2)

Grazie mille Andrew Giordano for sharing your wonderful photo of the Naples waterfront with Mount Vesuvius in the distance

July 23, 2016

Compra Sud — Brigantessa

Photos by New York Scugnizzo
Let's support those who keep our traditions and folkways alive 
Brigantessa — Forneria Meridionale
1520 East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147
267-318-7341


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

July 21, 2016

A Look at the 2016 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Staten Island, New York

Evviva Maria!
Photos courtesy of Joe Santoro
Thanks Joe for sharing your wonderful photos of the 2016 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Saturday, July 16th) at the Church of St. Rita in Staten Island, New York. It’s great to see this wonderful tradition endure. Evviva Maria!
Our Lady is showered with confetti and rose petals
Devotees pin donations on to the statue
The color guard lead the way
The procession wends its way through the neighborhood
(Above & below) Several societies show their support
Devotees carry the canopy behind the Blessed Mother
A close up of the beautiful statue
Our pal Ennio with the Blessed Mother
Back at the gym, the La Banda delle Feste Italiane entertain the revelers