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| After Mass, celebrants take a commemorative photo Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
Cav. John Napoli
Despite it being Independence Day Weekend, nearly a hundred devotees packed into the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) in Little Italy, New York, Sunday evening for the External Solemnity of the Titular Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Worshippers from as far away as New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester County made the pilgrimage for the greater glory of God. Impressively, making the trek all the way from Albany, New York was Maestro Gioacchino Longobardi, President and Artistic Director of the Neapolitan Music Society, with his lovely wife Maria.
Sponsored by the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was sung by celebrant and homilist the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio (Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newark, New Jersey and Chaplain of the Order), Deacon Fr. Christopher Salvatori (SAC, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem, New York) and Subdeacon Teddy Thongratnachat. The Sacred Ministers were dutifully assisted by Lorenzo Tinio, Eddy José Toribio, Andrew Portelli, Robert Jurman, Brian Hilley, and Chris Car.  |
| A few words of gratitude from Vice-Chancellor Cav. Patrick O’Boyle |
The musical setting of the Mass was renowned Neapolitan Composer Francesco Durante’s Messa a 3 voci (Mass for three voices). The sacred piece, plus Giovanni Paisiello’s Inno al Re (the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies) and the Ordinary of the Mass were gloriously chanted by the schola and choir of Holy Innocents Church (128 West 37th St., NYC) under the brilliant direction of organist and Music Director Pedro d’Aquino.
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| Maestro Longobardi and the knights did not fail to pay respect to the Madonna delle Grazie, Patroness of Santa Caterina Villarmosa, Sicily, on her Feast Day |
Delegate Cav. John M. Viola and Vice-Chancellor Cav. Patrick O’Boyle of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George sat in choir. Cavalieri Anthony O’Boyle, Charles Sant’Elia, John Napoli and Vincent Gangone were in Attendance.
As the unofficial chapel of the Order in New York City, my confratelli and I have been working hard with Pastor Msgr. Donald Sakano, parish staff, members of the congregation and several of the Saint Societies affiliated with the church (St. Rocco Society of Potenza, Craco Society, Figli San Gennaro, etc.) to help make Most Precious Blood a vibrant center of Duesiciliano (southern Italian) faith and culture once again.
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| We are happy to see the recently restored statue of San Calogero and St. Anthony of Giovinazzo on display in the nave |
Part of that mission has been sponsoring Traditional Latin Masses, which, not surprisingly, continues to grow in popularity as more and more people experience the solemnity and majesty of the Mass. This Feast, however, was our first attempt at reintroducing rarely performed sacred music by seventeenth and eighteenth century Neapolitan Masters. By all accounts it was well received and we plan on doing it again on Friday, September 29th at 7pm for the 2nd Annual Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, if not sooner.
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| Detail of Sant'Antonio's base |
We would like to thank everyone who joined us at this inspirational celebration, including our friends from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, St. Rocco Society of Potenza, Brooklyn Latin Mass, Neapolitan Music Society, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Pontifical Shrine (East Harlem), Our Lady of Peace Church (Brooklyn) and Holy Name of Jesus Church (Brooklyn). Your support is greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Bill Russo, John Amerise, Eddie, Emily and the rest of the Parish staff for your continued warmth and hospitality. It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate our faith and culture with you at Most Precious Blood.
