August 10, 2016

Evviva Maria! Scenes from the 128th Annual Feast of Our Lady of the Snow in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
A shrine to the Blessed Mother is erected inside the Our Lady of the Snow Society clubhouse (410 Graham Avenue)
(Left) Final preparations are made before Friday's celebration.
(Right) A close up of the statue's new golden bouquet
 
(Above and below) Family and friends come together to celebrate
Sara Berman generously awarded scholarships
to a couple of hardworking, promising college bound students
(Above & below) Members show heart-felt devotion during the National Anthem
Our Lady of the Snow is presented to the expectant crowd
(Above) Members of the Our Lady of the Snow Ladies Auxiliary carry the Blessed Mother to San Sabino (Below). The ritual is a reenactment, albeit on a much smaller scale, of the centuries-old tradition that takes place in Sanza
Evviva San Sabino!
Members proudly carry the society standards
(Above & below) The procession wends its way through the neighborhood 
The Giglio Band leads the procession down bustling Graham Avenue
The San Sabino Society show their support
(Left) Devotees pin donations on to the statue. 
(Right) We stopped by the Society of St. Mary of the Snow Square on the corner of Herbert Street and Graham Avenue for a moment of silence
Halfway through the procession, we briefly stopped for some delicious refreshments generously provided by the Mazza family
San Donato greets pilgrims outside the Mazza residence
The Madonna della Neve inside beautiful
Saint Francis of Paola Church (219 Conselyea Street)
(Above and below) A good time was had by all
I spotted the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George flag
flying next to Old Glory in someone's front yard
Back at the clubhouse, we bid farewell to San Sabino
During the closing ceremony, banners and flags are returned to the hall
(Above and below) Afterward, a group of us went to nearby La Locanda Restaurant (432 Graham Ave.) for a celebratory lunch
Naturally, we strolled over to Fortunato Brothers Caffè (289 Manhattan Ave.)
for some coffee and dessert