Top 10 Posts of 2016

A few highlights from 2016

A look back at some of our favorite moments of 2016: (Top row) Celebrating the 127th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in NYC; impromptu protest in Washington Square Park in NYC; being invested with the Brown Scapula at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in East Harlem; and celebrating Michaelmas at Most Precious Blood Church in NYC. (Bottom row) Investiture into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George; and attending The Black Cats NYC CD release party at Sidewalk Cafe in NYC.

Top Ten Posts:

01 Investiture and Mass in the Presence of the Royal Family of the Two Sicilies at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City
02 For Altar and Throne: Investiture into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
03 The Warrior Prelate: Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo
04 Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Participate in the 90th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in NYC's Historic Little Italy
05 Remembering the Battle of Bitonto: Neobriganti Gather in Brooklyn, New York for the Eighth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration
06 Keeping a Vow: Celebrating the Feast of St. Michael at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy
07 Hanging With Patrizio Buanne in New York City's Historic Little Italy
08 Viva ‘o Rre! His Royal Majesty King Francis I of the Two Sicilies
09 Sunday of the Scarves: The War Against Neapolitan Identity Continues
10 A Brief Sketch: Donatus Buongiorno

Honorable mention:
11  Celebrating the Mass of the Flags in Polignano a Mare, Apulia
12  Most Precious Blood Church: An Appreciation
13  The Black Cats NYC Set Sidewalk Ablaze With CD Release Party

Click here to see last year’s results

Praying for Good King Francis II

Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George sponsor Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Repose of the Soul of HM Francesco II di Borbone, Re delle Due Sicilie

Led by HE Cav. John M. Viola, Delegate for Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George in North America, Cavalieri, Chaplains and Altar Servers celebrate the annual Mass for the Repose of the Soul for HM King Francis II of the Two Sicilies Photos courtesy of Eric Lavin, New York Scugnizzo and Cav. Vincent Gangone 

By Cav. John Napoli

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make our Missa Cantata for the Repose of the Soul of HRM King Francesco II di Borbone on the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist a success (Dec. 27th). 

First and foremost I would like to thank Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, for letting us have the Mass at Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter Street) in NYC’s historic Little Italy. I greatly appreciate the warmth and kindness of the congregation and parish staff, especially project manager Bill Russo, who continues to be a major supporter of our initiatives.

My sincerest thanks to Cav. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey, for being our celebrant and homilist. What a blessing to celebrate Mass with you.

Thank you to the devoted altar servers who answered the call. As always, our dear friends Damian, Lorenzo, Teddy, Manny, Brian and Mathew did a fantastic job.

Special thanks to Music director Art Manabat and the schola for another incredible performance. What a pleasant surprise to hear, after the recessional, Inno al Re, the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies composed by Giovanni Paisiello. 

Thank you to Tribeca Vini for generously donating the wine for the tasting after Mass in the rectory.

We could not have done it without the support from the Saint Rocco Society of Potenza, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, the Comitati Due Sicilie USA and the Fondazione Francesco II di Borbone. I cannot thank you enough.

I would be remiss not to mention Eric Lavin, Andrew Portelli, Andrew Giordano, Rosanna Minervini, Stephen LaRocca and Lucian. You have all been true friends and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.

Last but not least, I want to thank my dutiful confratelli His Excellency U.S. Delegate Cav. John M. Viola, Vice Chancellor Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, Baron Dr. Robert LaRocca, Cav. Msgr. Chris Hynes, Cav. Thomas Crane, Cav. Anthony O’Boyle, Cav. Charles Sant’Elia and Cav. Vincent Gangone. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate our faith and culture together. 

God bless you all. Viva 'o Rre!

Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey, and Chaplain of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George

Cav. Charles Sant'Elia genuflects with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

(Left) Baron Dr. Robert LaRocca. 
(Right) Cavalieri Vincent Gangone and Sant'Elia join the Baron

Cavalieri John Napoli, Baron LaRocca, HE John M. Viola and Sant'Elia

Mass program front and back cover

Addendum:

Thank you Bill Russo for sharing your photos with us

The procession makes its way to the sanctuary

Cav. Napoli had the immense privilege of carrying the Labarum

Msgr. Ambrosio gave a heartfelt sermon about Good King Francis II and the destruction of his Kingdom by Masonic and progressive forces of evil

The faithful receiving the Eucharist at the communion rail

Cavalieri Napoli, Patrick O'Boyle, Anthony O'Boyle, Sant'Elia and Gangone

La Vigilia and Other Christmas Traditions

Baccalà with tomato, onion and olives

By Giovanni di Napoli

Like many Neapolitan Americans, my family keeps the tradition of La Vigilia di Natale, the southern Italian ritual of eating seafood and eschewing meat on Christmas Eve. Despite regular and varied claims to authenticity, I believe the so-called Festa dei sette pesci, or the Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a recent fabrication. Though more lavish then in the past, according to our matriarchs there were never a set number of dishes served. We simply ate what we could afford, and what was fresh and available.

Today, we normally have shrimp, calamari (squid), clams, mussels and scungilli (whelk), which all can be prepared in a variety of ways. Capitone fritto alla napoletana (fried eel) is usually the main course, but this year we had aragosta (lobster), ricci di mare (sea urchin) and baccalà (salt cod).

Lobster tails on the grill

As always, the ladies outdid themselves and treated us to another memorable dinner.

Following the fish bonanza was another southern Italian specialty: panzerotti, delicious crescent-shaped deep fried dough filled with mozzarella and tomato or scallion, ricotta and olives.

Panzerotti

Next came fruit, roasted chestnuts, caffè and an assortment of delicious sweets, including Pasticciotti Leccesi and struffoli, the quintessential Neapolitan Christmas dessert that will satisfy the most stubborn sweet tooth. There is no panettone in my house.

The vigil, of course, is not just about food, it's also about family and faith.

After dinner we played games (tombola) with the kids and attended Midnight Mass in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Afterward, we walked through the neighborhood to see the spectacular Christmas decorations. My family has been doing this for as long as I can remember, though originally it was in East New York, Brooklyn, where my maternal grand- and great-grandparents were from.

"Dyker Lights"

Christmas morning we exchanged presents, made the rounds and visited family and friends until dinnertime. No less extravagant than the Eve, Christmas dinner was a culinary tour de force with plenty of hot and cold antipasti, insalata, pizza, baked manicotti and a American-style Christmas ham. Fruit, dessert and caffè complete the meal.

Soft torrone with almonds imported from Avellino

Not quite finished yet, December 26th is the Feast of Saint Stephen, or Saint Stephen's Day. In honor of Santo Stefano, the first martyr, we usually celebrate with torrone, a sticky nougat candy made from honey, nuts and egg whites that dates back to Roman times. I like mine with a glass of Strega or Amaro. Buon Natale!

Amended 2016

Photo of the Week: Madonna with Child by Domenico Gagini

Madonna with Child by Domenico Gagini, Duomo di Siracusa, Sicily
Photo by Niccolò Graffio

Discovering Recco and Fragonard at the Met

A Cat Stealing Fish, oil on canvas, late 1660s, by Giuseppe Recco
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

After confession on Reconciliation Monday, I decided to take the afternoon off from work and treat myself to a day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It felt like its been ages since my last visit and I wanted to see the Museum’s resplendent Angel Tree and Baroque Neapolitan Crèche installation before Christmas. (See pics here)

On display in the Medieval Sculpture Hall, the towering spruce is adorned with a host of heavenly angels heralding the birth of Christ. At the base, Salvator di Franco’s (active 18th century) glorious Nativity is flanked by a multitude of exotic figures attributed to some of Naples’ finest sculptors, including Lorenzo Mosca (d. 1789) and Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793). 

I couldn’t resist doing a little exploring, so I made my way to the European Painting Galleries on the second floor to see some of my old favorites. I’m glad I did, because while perusing the magnificent collection I came across Giuseppe Recco’s (1634-1695) animated still life, A Cat Stealing Fish. I’m not sure why I never noticed this painting before, but considering its unfortunate position above the door head in Gallery 623, I’m lucky to have spotted it during this visit.

The most famous member of a family of artists, Giuseppe Recco is regarded as the leading Neapolitan still-life painter of his day. Specializing in pictures of fish, this canvas, measuring 38 x 50 1/2 inches, shows a cat greedily eating an octopus. The work, dating from the late 1660s, clearly demonstrates the artist’s virtuoso skill in rendering different textures.

As luck would have it, Recco’s dramatic and naturalistic still life would not be my only surprise of the day.

Nearby, in Galleries 691-693, is the ongoing exhibit Drawing Triumphant, a celebration of Jean Honoré Fragonard’s (1732-1806) achievements as a master draftsman. To my delight, among the array of works on display, three are from the artist’s second visit to Naples in the spring of 1774, when he was at the height of his prowess. 

Focusing on the people of the streets, the Frenchman drew two red chalk studies of fisherman and a brush and brown wash portrait of an unknown Neapolitan woman in picturesque dress. Often dismissed by his contemporaries as preparatory work for paintings, Fragonard felt many of his drawings were stand-alone pieces. This remarkable exhibit, which closes on January 8, 2017, proves him right.

Portrait of a Neapolitan Woman, brush and brown wash over faint traces of black chalk underdrawing, 1774

(Left) A fisherman pulling a net, red chalk, 1774.
(Right) A fisherman leaning on an oar, red chalk, 1774

Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George to Participate in the Missa Cantata for the Repose of the Soul of S.M. Francesco II, King of the Two Sicilies in Historic Little Italy, New York City

www.constantinianorderusa.org

A Prayer for Berlin

St. Boniface pray for us
The Oratory Church of Saint Boniface

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the December 19th Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market terror attack in Berlin, Germany. May Saint Hedwig of Silesia, Saint Otto of Bamberg and Saint Boniface protect and watch over you.

Prayer for Victims of Terrorism

Loving God, welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, and may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts. Amen.

Also see:
• Requiescat in Pace: Fr. Jacques Hamel
• A Prayer for Nice
• A Prayer for Brussels
• Solidarité

Missa Cantata for the Repose of the Soul of S.M. Francesco II di Borbone, King of the Two Sicilies

A Few Highlights from the 2016 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

(Left) Holy Family by Salvatore di Franco. (Right) Close-up of the baby Jesus 
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

(Above and below) A host of Angels surround the Nativity

(Left) Mother and child with sleeping shepherd. (Right) Peasants 

(Left) Saracens. (Right) One of the Magi on a bucking horse 

Photo of the Week: Reliquary of Saint Barbara in the Duomo di Ravello

Silver reliquary that holds the head of Saint Barbara, Duomo di Ravello, Salerno
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Rorate Caeli Mass at The Shrine Church of Saint Bernadette in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

The Shrine Church of Saint Bernadette

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

A handful of parishioners braved the cold Friday for the Rorate Caeli Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother at the Shrine Church of Saint Bernadette in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. An Advent tradition, the extraordinarily beautiful Mass, mixed with Latin plainchant, was celebrated by candlelight with Pastor Msgr. Thomas Caserta. The service concluded (despite my poor singing voice) with a moving rendition of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, one of my favorite recessional Hymns.

Large candelabra lined the aisle

Before Mass, I said my intercessory prayers to (left) San Francesco di Paola, (right) San Rocco, San Gerardo, Santa Rita and the Madonna del Carmine 

Celebrating the Feast of Santa Lucia at Most Precious Blood Church

Evviva Santa Lucia!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo and Rosanna Minervini

Led by our esteemed Vice Chancellor Patrick O'Boyle, my fellow Constantinian Knights and I had the great privilege of serving as honor guard at the Missa Cantata for the Feast of Santa Lucia at Most Precious Blood Church in Manhattan's historic Little Italy. 

Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist Fr. Michael Barone of the Archdiocese of Newark. He was assisted by several dutiful altar servers, Lorenzo Tinio, Brian Mcguire, Manny Albino, and thurifer Teddy Thongratnachat. Cavalieri Charles Sant’Elia, Vincent Gangone, John Napoli, and Vice Chancellor Patrick O’Boyle of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George were in Attendance.

As usual, Music director Art Manabat, organist Kirsten D'Aquino and the schola were sublime. Congregants were regaled with a phenomenal performance of sacred hymns and traditional liturgical music.

After Mass we adjourned to the rectory for a little wine tasting. Generously donated by Tribeca Vini, partygoers had the opportunity to try several different wines from southern Italy, including a Falanghina from Benevento and Magliocco from Cosenza. All were delicious, but I especially liked the strong-bodied Nerello from Calabria.

A bit peckish from fasting all day, a few of us made our way to nearby Margherita NYC (a cozy little Pizzeria Napoletana at 197 Grand Street) for a late supper. Abstaining from wheat for the holiday, I refrained from eating pizza and pasta and had a simple, but delicious, salad. We slaked our thirst with a few more cocktails and kept our joyous fête going until closing.

Thank you to my fellow organizers who helped make our extraordinary celebration a reality, especially Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, for letting us have the Mass at Most Precious Blood Church. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate our faith and culture together. Evviva Santa Lucia!

Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist Fr. Michael Barone

Our dear friend Cav. Charles Sant'Elia

After Mass, devotees venerate our beloved patroness and offer donations

Revelers enjoyed some fellowship and vino in the rectory

Compra Sud — Ribalta

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

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

Ribalta Pizza Restaurant
48 E 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-777-7781

www.ribaltapizzarestaurant.com

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

Carmine Percontino's Presepe Napoletano Now on Display in Hoboken, New Jersey

Come see our pal Carmine's remarkable outdoor presepe Napoletano at 
827 Willow Avenue in Hoboken, New Jersey. Photo by Andrew Giordano

Photo of the Week: Santa Lucia by Antonello Gagini

Santa Lucia by Antonello Gagini, Duomo di Siracusa, Sicily
Photo by Niccolò Graffio

Celebrating the Mass of the Flags in Polignano a Mare, Apulia

Celebrating the Mass of the Flags inside the Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta

On December 11th, friends and members of the Fondazione Francesco II di Borbone, Comitati delle Due Sicilie, Movimento Duosiciliano, Rete Sud, Noi Borbonici, Briganti delle Murge and others, gathered at the Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta in Polignano a Mare, Apulia, for the S. Messa delle Bandiere, or Mass of the Flags.

The Mass, with traditional blessing of the flags of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, was concelebrated by S.A.R. il Principe Don Alessandro E. di Borbone Due Sicilie, Don Luciano Rotolo and Don Massimo Cuofano. A large flag, donated by the Fondazione Francesco II di Borbone on behalf of HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Duke of Castro, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and all groups of the Two Sicilies, served as an altar cloth. The great flag will be raised on the ramparts of the Fortress of Gaeta at the upcoming conference in February 2017.

Afterward, participants processed from the church to the Polignano Bridge, to commemorate the 180th anniversary of its construction by HRH King Ferdinand II. Thank you to the Fondazione Francesco II di Borbone for organizing this extraordinary event. Special thanks to our friends Don Massimo Cuofano and the Comitati delle Due Sicilie for sharing your photos. Viva 'o Rre!

A large Due Sicilie flag (measuring about 9ft x 6ft) was used as an alter cloth

(Above and Below) Participants present their flags during the Benediction 

After Mass, participants process to the Polignano Bridge

Also see: Blessing the Flags