Evviva Santa Rosalia! A Look at the 43rd Annual Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (Part 1)

Weeknight Veneration and Street Fare

Festive street lights line the Avenue
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

See part 2

The outdoor chapel on 18th Avenue, between 71st and 72nd Streets

(Above & below) The chapel is adorned with flowers  

Marino watches over la Santuzza, the Little Saint

Our dear friends Angelo and Stephen

(L) Venerating our beloved patroness. (R) A grim detail of the statue

(Above & below) I never miss an opportunity
to enjoy Lucy's hot peppers and stigghiola

Sfincione, Sicilian focaccia topped with tomatoes, onions and anchovies

After saying our prayers and dinner, we explored the festive fairgrounds

Photo of the Week: Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Positano

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Positano, Amalfi Coast
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Viva San Rocco! A Look at the 130th Annual Feast of St. Rocco in Little Italy, New York (Part 3)

The Procession Through Little Italy

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

See Part 1, Mass and Opening Ceremony, Part 2, The Procession through Chinatown, and The 2019 San Rocco Triduum

Our friends from Aliquippa, PA joined in the festivities 

(Above & below) Still going strong,
the procession makes its way up Mulberry Street

(L) The Color Guard. (R) Along the route people make donations

Danny Vecchiano and the Giglio Band

(Above & below) We made many stops along the way 

As always, our friends from E. Rossi & Company,
De Palo's, and Alleva made generous offerings 

Some watched the procession pass from the comfort of their homes,
while others carried traditional wax ex-voto

(Above & below) Nearing the end of the long procession,
we made one final stop at Da Nico's for some pizza and refreshments 

Andrew, Carmine and Bruno 

Rosanna and John 

John and Rocco

(Above & below) We return to Most Precious Blood with much fanfare

The statue is returned to Most Precious Blood Church

Peppino's from Bay Ridge generously donated
trays of delicious southern Italian fare

(Above & below) After dinner and a brief rain shower, partygoers enjoyed a very competitive game of “pass the provolone,” a humorous take on “hot potato,” where the winner gets to keep the cheese  

Salvatore LaRocca was this year's big winner

Viva San Rocco! A Look at the 130th Annual Feast of St. Rocco in Little Italy, New York (Part 2)

The Procession Through Chinatown

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

See Part 1, Mass and Opening Ceremony, Part 3, The Procession Through Little Italy, and The 2019 San Rocco Triduum

(L) After Mass, donations are pinned on to the statue. (R) Stephen and Lucia pose with our dear friends from the St. Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey

The color guard are raring to go

These little rascals are all set to pull the cinte, or candle house

(Above & below) The procession departs Most Precious Blood Church and Little Italy

(Above & below) Making our way through Chinatown

A good time was had by all

The Cordi family are all smiles

We briefly stopped by the Church of the Transfiguration for blessings by Fr. Lo

Inside, we visit the statues of San Rocco and the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Giorgio and John

Vinny and Rocco

Matt and Peter

(L) The kids did a terrific job conveying the cinte, or candle house. 
(R) Our friends from the Figli Maria SS. Addolorata show their support

(Above & below) Members of the St. Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey
carried the statue from St. James Church to St. Joseph's Church

Andrew enjoys some homemade zeppoli

Mrs. Mavrianos showers San Rocco with rose petals outside St. Joseph's Church

Paul Tocci and family generously provided beverages for thirsty participants 

Revelers dance the tarantella outside the old Vanella Funeral Chapel 

(Above & below) The procession heads back to Little Italy