A Look at the 2017 Santa Fortunata Procession in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Evviva Santa Fortunata!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Scenes from Saturday’s 117th Annual Procession in honor of Santa Fortunata, beloved patroness of Baucina, Sicily, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

The two day celebration, full of pomp and pageantry, began at the society clubhouse (7702 17th Ave.) in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Devotees offer donations

A prayer before the procession

The Color Guard led the way down 77th Street

Vincent and Ciro have the great honor of carrying the society's standards

Society women display the banner 

Flowers spell out Santa Fortunata

(Above & below) Decked out in their colorful raiment, participants reenact
the life and martyrdom of Santa Fortunata

The Tony Neglia Band

President Ciro Quattrocchi (right) enjoying the festivities 

Devotees pull the vara with Santa Fortunata through the neighborhood

A good time was had by all

The procession makes its way through the neighborhood

Congratulations Princess Maria Chiara di Borbone, Duchess of Capri and Noto

HRH Princess Maria Chiara di Borbone, Duchess of Capri and Noto
Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone delle Due Sicilie

During an official visit to the city of Noto, Sicily over the weekend, HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone, head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, has conferred upon his youngest daughter HRH Princess Maria Chiara di Borbone, Duchess of Capri, the additional title of Duchess of Noto. With much love and joy in our hearts, we wish Her Highness all the best in her future endeavors and pray for God to watch over and protect her always! Auguri!

Photo of the Week: Bust of San Gennaro in the Duomo di Napoli

Bust of San Gennaro in the Duomo di Napoli
Photo courtesy of Patrick O'Boyle

Evviva San Gennaro! A Look at the 91st Annual Feast of San Gennaro in NYC's Historic Little Italy

Evviva San Gennaro!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Despite the threat of bad weather large numbers of worshipers made their way to Most Precious Blood Church in New York City’s historic Little Italy for Tuesday’s 91st Annual Feast of San Gennaro (Sept. 19th). I wish to thank Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor, and all the parish staff and congregation for your warmth and hospitality. Special thanks to John A. Fratta, Ernest Magliato and all the members of the Figli di San Gennaro for your hard work and making the celebration a huge success. Three cheers for the Giglio Boys, the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and individual devotees who helped carry the saint through the bustling streets of Little Italy. As always, it was an honor and a priviledge to celebrate our faith and culture with you. Evviva San Gennaro!

(Above & below) Before Mass, the crucifer and acolytes led the procession of clergy down Baxter Street into Most Precious Blood Church

The rollicking Red Mike Festival Band played
many of our favorite patriotic and Neapolitan songs 

The sanctuary and bye-altar with statue of San Gennaro

After Mass, devotees venerate the relic of San Gennaro

Ernest Magliano and John A. Fratta

Our pals John and Sal

It was a tremendous honor to carry our beloved patron again

The procession turns off Canal Street onto bustling Mulberry Street

(L) The Red Mike Festival Band. (R) The outdoor shrine to San Gennaro

On Mulberry Street, members of the US Navy helped carry San Gennaro

(Above & below) Devotees pin donations on to the statue

Foundry markings on the base of the statue

Street lights with images of San Gennaro line Mulberry Street

After the procession, we joined our friends Annamaria and Salvator Argenio, visiting from Napoli, for some cocktails and laughs at Sapori d'Italia

A Look at the 10th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Evviva Maria!
Photos courtesy of Anthony Scillia

Thank you Tony for sharing your wonderful pictures of the 10th Annual Festa della Madonna Addolorata, celebrated Saturday, September 16th at St. Athanasius Church, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Evviva Maria!

Check out the latest Tweets from Anthony Scillia at Tony Mangia (@TonyAtTheTable) | Twitter or visit his personal blog At the Table with Tony

The Procession departs St. Athanasius Church

(L) Looking dapper, members of the Associazione Culturale Pugliese
Figli Maria SS. Addolorata take turns carrying the statue.
(R) The LaRocca men partake in the joyous festivities

(Above & below) A sea of black and gold
wended its way through the neighborhood

Members of the Joseph B. Cavallari Council of the
Knights of Columbus show their support

Celebrating the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Programs for the Mass

In mari miserie, maris stella, errantes cotidie a procella, defende nos et precare Dominum pie, ut ad portas gloriæ nos trahat per hoc mare. — In mari miserie, Offertory Motet (Anonymous, French 12th Cent.)*

Friday evening, I joined about forty pilgrims at Holy Name of Jesus Church (245 Prospect Park West) in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn for the Missa Cantata for Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Arriving early, I made my usual intercessory prayers for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors and Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Tomasz Szczepanczyk, who spoke at length during his sermon about the importance of the Blessed Mother and her role as the new Eve. Servers Eddy Toribio (MC), Robert Jurman, Brian Hilley and Arrus Ortañez dutifully assisted Fr. Tomasz.

As always, the Ordinary of the Mass and motets performed by Director and organist David Adam Smith and choir—Nathaniel Adams, Art Bryan Manabat, Philip Cheah, and Peter Walker—gloriously filled the nave.

Thank you Rev. Lawrence D. Ryan, Pastor and all the Parish staff and congregation for your warm hospitality. Special thanks to Cindy Brolsma and organizers for your hard work and dedication. Once again, it was a privilege to celebrate our faith together. 

The next Latin Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church will be celebrated on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00pm for the First Sunday of Advent.

* In a sea of misery, Star of the Sea, staggering daily by the storm, defend us and pray to our sweet Lord, that to the gates of glory He may draw us from this sea.

Photo of the Week: Marble Statue of San Gennaro, Museo del Duomo di Ravello, Salerno

Marble statue of San Gennaro, Museo del Duomo di Ravello, Salerno
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Celebrating Solemn Vespers for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

A look inside the beautiful Church of Our Saviour

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Crux fidelis, inter omnes, Arbor una nobilis: Nulla silva talem profert, Fronde, flore, germine: Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, Dulce pondus sustinet. Amen*

Thursday evening my confratelli of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and I had the great privilege of joining members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for Solemn Evening Prayer for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the beautiful Church of Our Saviour (59 Park Ave.) on Murray Hill in New York City. Mandatory observance for both Orders, the Feast celebrates the discovery of the True Cross in 320 by St. Helen, mother of St. Constantine the Great, and the dedication of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary in 335 by Emperor Constantine. 

Following Reverend Robert J. Robbins homily, members of the congregation had the extraordinary opportunity to approach the sanctuary and venerate the Relic of the True Cross. The sacred music was sung by director and organist Paul J. Murray, K.C.H.S., and the Choir of the Church of Our Saviour. They were absolutely phenomenal.

I wish to thank the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for inviting us to participate. Special thanks to Fr. Robbins, Reverend Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, the staff and congregation of the Church of Our Saviour for your warm hospitality. It was a tremendous pleasure to celebrate our faith with you. Evviva la Croce!

(Above & below) After Vespers, the Knights and Ladies
of the Holy Sepulcher process out of the church

(L) Cavs. Vincent Gangone and Charles Sant'Elia of the
Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George were in attendance.
(R.) Rev. Msgr. Hilary C. Franco with the Relic of the True Cross

* Faithful cross, above all other, One and only noble Tree, None in foliage, none in blossom, None in fruit thy peers may be. Sweetest wood and sweetest iron, Sweetest weight is hung on thee. Amen. — John IV, King of Portugal (1604-1656)