 |
| Grazie mille Andrew Giordano for sharing your wonderful photo of the ghost town of Craco vecchio (old Craco) in Matera, Basilicata |
July 31, 2016
Photo of the Week: Craco Vecchio
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 |
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 |
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
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
|
 |
| 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 |