Jacqueline Alio Launches New Site Promoting Her Books on the Norman-Swabian Queens of Sicily

The Story of Sicily's Greatest Medieval Queen, Margaret of Navarre, Regent from 1166 until 1171

For five eventful years Margaret – who died in 1183 – was the most power­ful woman in Europe and the Mediter­ranean, governing a polyglot realm of some two mil­lion subjects living on Sicily and in peninsular Italy south of Rome in the regions of Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Molise and Calabria. Born in La Guardia, in Navarre, in 1135, and raised in Pamplona, she wed William I of Sicily in 1149 and eventual­ly suc­ceeded him as regent for their young son, William II. Continue reading

Constantinian Food Walk

On Thursday, February 6th at 7:00PM join the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George Auxiliary Corps for their monthly food walk. Volunteers will meet at the Church of the Transfiguration cafeteria (29 Mott Street—entrance on Mosco St.) in Chinatown, New York to prepare and distribute food to the homeless.

Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.org or Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at MsAnnaNY@aol.com. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or at The Constantinian Chronicle. IHSV

Celebrating the Third Sunday After the Epiphany and the Feast of St. Polycarp

Charles Coulombe with the Sanfedisti
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, infirmitátem nostram propítius réspice: atque ad protegéndum nos, déxteram tuæ majestátis exténde. Per Dóminum. 1

Sunday morning members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan for both the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany and the Feast of St. Polycarp. Our Pastor Fr. James Miara was the celebrant at both.

Instead of saying our customary prayers, between the Masses we browsed through a wide selection of olive wood religious products handcrafted in Bethlehem being sold in the narthex. Rotating from church to church, the money raised from selling these beautiful woodcarvings help support some 800 struggling Christian families living in the Holy Land.

A representative of Bethlehem Crafts selling his wares

Hand carved olive wood statues were on display

After Mass, we joined our fellow parishioners downstairs in Holy Innocents Hall for some fellowship and refreshments. While mingling with friends and discussing the logistics of our upcoming homeless walk, we were more than a little surprised to see the percipient author and “Off the Menu” podcaster Charles A. Coulombe stroll in off the street.

Joining us for coffee, Mr. Coulombe regaled us with a flurry of interesting factoids and anecdotes, with special emphasis on the Italian Risorgimento and Unification. Bypassing his Tumblr House taskmaster colleague Vincent Frankini’s stringent screening process, Charles happily answered all our questions free of charge. A quintessential gentleman, Charles was every bit as charming and personable as we imagined he would be.

Returning to Brooklyn, our celebratory luncheon at Joe’s of Avenue U (287 Avenue U) was a little more animated than usual. Warmly welcomed, our party was treated to another bountiful repast replete with Sicilian specialties, including patate e salsiccia, mista polpo e calamari, and sarde a beccafico, Sicilian sardines stuffed with raisins, pine nuts and breadcrumbs.

The Tumblr House mackerel has nothing on Joe’s sarde a beccafico

An all-around great day, the icing on the cake was getting to watch our beloved Napoli beat Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples. Even though the Partenopei are already out of contention for the Scudetto, the hard-fought victory against our bitter rivals was a small reprieve in an otherwise forgettable season.

As an aside, there was a humorous moment before the match, when a young Neapolitan player escort (or child mascot) showed his displeasure at having to wear a Juventus jersey during the National Anthem. Clearly upset, the boy’s expression was priceless. Forza Napoli sempre!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 27th, Feast of St. John Chrysostom

Notes:
(1) O almighty and everlasting God, look mercifully upon our weakness: and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to protect us. Through our Lord. ~ Collect

Photo of the Week: Il Reuccio (the Little King)

Statue of Charles II, King of Spain, in Naples, by Francesco D'Angelo
Photo by Andrew Giordano

Marching for Life in Washington D.C.

Marchers stream down Constitution Avenue, which was lined with TFP standards
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Early Friday morning members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan to join our fellow parishioners on the bus ride down to Washington D.C. for the 47th Annual March For Life. Led by Fr. Christopher Salvatori, SAC, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (448 East 116th St.) in East Harlem, New York, our five hour long trek flew by relatively quickly as we utilized our time on the road by praying the Holy Rosary, the Angelus (at noon) and the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, among others. We also had the opportunity to watch the critically-acclaimed pro-life film Unplanned (2019), based on the memoir by Abby Johnson, a former clinic director for Planned Parenthood.

Dropped off near the Washington Monument, we quickly joined the massive rally marching from the National Mall to the Supreme Court. Unsure of the actual number of participants, specious estimates made by the media range from “tens of thousands” to “100,000.” To be honest, from what I saw these tallies seem paltry. In fact, I would even go so far as to say there were as many as half a million people in attendance. Whatever the number, the one thing for certain is my photos don't do justice to the March.

With Donald Trump being the first President ever to speak at the rally, I expected to see some poor deluded counter protestors, especially the way the media likes to lie and drum up controversy. However, from my vantage point I didn’t see any. This isn’t to say they weren’t there, I’m just saying I didn’t see them. Unfortunately, I did spot a handful of anti-Catholic signs; however, these focused on religious differences, not abortion.

Considering the gravity of the cause, I was more than a little surprised by the festive atmosphere. Curious, I was told many of the younger marchers consider the rally to be a celebration of life and family, as opposed to just a somber protest against Roe v. Wade. Exited and energized, they were loud and vocal, but very well behaved. I’m happy to say, I didn’t see any provocateurs harassing or goading them into trouble.

Eventually splitting from the March, our group went to St. Mary Mother of God Church (727 5th St.) to attend the packed Eighth Annual Votive Mass of the Holy Innocents for the remembrance and repose of the soul of pro-life activist Nellie Jane Gray. The most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor of Holy Comforter—St. Cyprian Church in Washington, D.C. The Deacon was Rev. James Bradley, Assistant Prof. of Canon Law at Catholic University of America; and the Subdeacon was Rev. Ernest Cibelli, Pastor at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Sacred Ministers were dutifully assisted by several servers; Organist R. Bray McDonnell; the Schola Cantorum of St. John the Baptist Church in Allentown, New Jersey; and the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary Mother of God.

The Mass was beautiful and we met a lot of nice people down there, but the truth is I hope the need for us to gather again under these circumstances becomes unnecessary. I will continue to support the pro-life cause as best I can, nonetheless I long to see the day when all the abortion mills are closed and we finally put an end to this barbaric and baleful practice. Only then can we converge on the nation’s capital and truly celebrate life and family. Holy Innocents, ora pro nobis!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 25th, Feast of the Conversion of San Paolo

(L) The first of two buses arrives at Holy Innocent Church in Manhattan.
(R) In D.C., the buses let us off near the Washington Monument 

Fr. Salvatori led us in the march 

(Above & below) Everywhere I looked I saw a sea of people

(L) Sanfedista with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
(R) The religious and laity turned out in force

(L) Personally I'm not too keen on people dressing up as Our
Lord, but this character was very popular among the marchers.
(R) A tactless protestor felt no compunction about insulting Catholics

Images of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus
above the bye-altars inside St. Mary Mother of God Church

While going to visit the statue of the infant of Prague
I discovered the shrine devoted to Blessed Karl of Austria

Portrait of the Emperor and mounted wall reliquary

After Mass, devotees lined up to venerate the Peace Emperor

(L) The High Altar. (R) Celebrants greet the pilgrims outside the church

It was an honor to meet Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Commemorating the Death of King Louis XVI of France, the Feast of Sant’Agnese, and My Birthday

Partygoers take a group pic before saying sayonara to Hiro

Domine salvum fac Regem et exaudi nos in die qua invocaverimus te. 1

Tuesday, January 21st — Despite the proximity to my birthday, when my Sanfedisti brethren suggested we commemorate the death of King Louis XVI of France (1754-1793), I expected to do just that. Busting out my framed portrait of the King and printing out copies of the old motet Domine, salvum fac Regem (Lord, save the King) in Latin and English, little did I know they were going to surprise me with a birthday dinner.

In hindsight, I should have suspected something when they suggested going to Hiro’s, a quaint little Japanese restaurant in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Even though it seemed like a strange choice of venue for the commemoration, I didn’t want to be difficult and just went along with the program. Personally, I would have preferred a nice French bistro, but to be honest the few I’m familiar with would probably have been less suitable considering the kitschy drapeau français decor and all the liberté, égalité, fraternité nonsense. (I have the same misgivings whenever I see the tricolore at an Italian restaurant.)

(L) Portrait of HM King Louis XVI of France. (R) Opening the gifts.

As happy as I was they wanted to celebrate my birthday, I was really looking forward to commemorating the martyred French Monarch and the Feast of St. Agnes. Setting the picture up at the table, we handed out the prayer sheets and said grace. Since our buddy Lorenzo is the most proficient in Latin he also led us in saying the prayers for St. Agnes and King Louis.

A BYOB restaurant, we came well prepared. Opening the wine, we made frequent toasts to the kings of yore, the saints, and friendship. Since I’m no connoisseur of Japanese cuisine, and I have no problem eating anything, I left the ordering to my hungry companions Andrew and Carmine, who seemingly ordered the entire menu as a wide range of sushi, sashimi and other delicious oriental delicacies steadily arrived at our table.

Reliquary with certificate of authenticity

After dinner, we polished off the rest of the wine, ate some unusual mochi ice cream, and opened a few gifts. In addition to the roisterous dinner, my friends gave me a much needed, though short-lived, bottle of Liqueur Strega. I was very surprised and deeply touched to receive a reliquary containing two small stones from the Apparition Grotto at the Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo in Gargano, Puglia. Knowing my deep devotion to the Prince of the Heavenly Host, Lorenzo brought back this little treasure from his recent pilgrimage to the Sanctuary.

Before calling it quits, we opened up the Strega and had the restaurant’s few remaining clientele (who happened to be a friendly group of Neapolitans and Calabrians from Rutherford, New Jersey) around our table in no time drinking and toasting the memory of the King. Viva ‘o Rre! and viva Sant'Agnese!

Wednesday, January 22nd — What better way to celebrate my actual birthday than by attending the Votive High Mass for Peace at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan? Arriving in time for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration, I sat in quiet contemplation. Thinking a lot lately about my parents and grandparents, I lit a few candles by the statues of our familial patrons—the Infant of Prague and St. Thérèse of Lisieux—and prayed for the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the Infant of Prague at Holy Innocents

Fr. Michael C. Barone, Chaplain for the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, celebrated the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Dutifully assisted by MC Eddie Toribio and several servers, the Schola Cantorum sounded extra good that evening.

After Mass, the faithful recited the prayers for the ongoing Church Unity Octave, also known as the Chair of Unity Octave. Offering my Holy Communion and Holy Mass for the intention, we prayed for the Conversion of America. This was soon followed by the parish’s perpetual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Joseph, which included a series of Indulgenced Prayers, Invocations, the Prayer to the Blessed Virgin by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, and the Daily Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope Leo XIII. Ending with the Benediction and reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, we had the opportunity to venerate the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the altar rail.

My aunt baked me a Italian cheesecake

Truly blessed, back home I was treated to an incredible dinner by my loved ones. For as long as I can remember, my parents made me fresh cavatelli con ragù alla Napoletano and a homemade cake for my birthday. This being my first year without them, my aunt and uncle surprised me with a delicious home-cooked meal reminiscent of my parents.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 23rd, Feast of St. Emerentiana

Notes:
(1) Lord, save the King, and hear us when we call upon thee.

Celebrating the Second Sunday After the Epiphany and the Feast of San Catello Vescovo

My new Holy Innocents medal

O ye glorious martyrs, St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Polycarp of Smyrna; O ye illustrious doctors of the Church, St. Athanasius, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Basil, who worked and suffered so much for purity of faith and the salvation of the souls entrusted to your paternal care, look down from heaven upon your beloved Eastern lands, which forgetful of your teaching and example, live now separated from the body of the true Church. By your powerful intercession, O ye holy Eastern Fathers, obtain for all separated Oriental Christians the grace to return to the center of unity, and to form with us one and the same family, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. ~ Prayer to the Fathers of the Eastern Church

Sunday morning members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan for both the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany and the Feast of San Catello Vescovo. Our Pastor Fr. James Miara was the celebrant at both.

My Grandmother's pewter statuette
of the Infant of Prague and the back
of the Society of the Little Flower
membership card with the image
of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Between the Masses we made Confession, prayed the Holy Rosary, and said our daily prayers of thanks and praise. Having just discovered my late Grandmother’s old pewter pocket statuette of the Infant of Prague and her membership card to the Society of the Little Flower, I visited the church’s statue of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. I lit some candles in her memory and prayed for the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

At the conclusion of each Mass, the faithful recited the prayers for the Church Unity Octave, also known as the Chair of Unity Octave. Beginning on January 18th, the Feast of the Chair of San Pietro, Traditional Catholics pray for the conversion of those outside the fold. In charity, we offered our Holy Communion and Holy Mass for the intention and prayed for the return of the separated Eastern Christians to communion with the Holy See. With a different intension each day, the devotion concludes on January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of San Paolo.

After Mass, we joined our fellow parishioners downstairs in Holy Innocents Hall for coffee and refreshments. While mingling with friends, I was generously given a medal with Our Lady of Guadalupe on one side and the Holy Innocents on the other by a very affable couple I’ve recently become friendly with. As much as we wanted to stay and continue our celebration, we all had prior engagements and called it an early day. Evviva San Catello!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 20th, the Feast of San Sebastiano

Photo of the Week: Charles of Bourbon on Horseback

Carlo di Borbone a Cavallo, Caserta, Royal Palace
Photo by Andrew Giordano

Celebrating the Feast of Sant'Antuono Abate

Fucarazzo di Sant'Antuono, or St. Anthony’s Bonfire
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Friday, January 17th — The Sanfedisti reconvened in Manhattan Friday evening at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) for the Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot. Arriving in time for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration, we sat in quiet contemplation before praying the Perpetual novena for “The Return Crucifix,” the Holy Rosary, and for the Holy Father’s good intensions. Following the Benediction, the faithful had the opportunity to venerate the Relic of the True Cross by the altar rail. Tridentine Low Mass was celebrated by our pastor Fr. James Miara.

(L) Sant'Antuono prayer cards with missal. (R) The Return Crucifix

Racing back to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn we joined our San Rocco Society brethren at our friend Stephen’s house for dinner, drinks, and, of course, the Fucarazzo di Sant'Antuono, or St. Anthony’s Bonfire. For the longest time, the fête was a quiet, intimate affair, but in recent years it has steadily grown with family and friends clamoring to take part in this ancient folk tradition. 

After dinner, which was generously provided by the La Rocca family, devotees once again braved the cold and huddled around the festive conflagration to enjoy the warmth of the mesmerizing flames, dance, sing hymns, and pray to our glorious patron. Viva Sant’Antonio!

Our gracious hosts Stephen and Lucia

Partygoers enjoyed a delicious repast

Lucy, Andrew and Anna

John and Maria 

Abstaining from meat on Fridays, I enjoyed some delicious
crocchè di patate, frittata di maccheroni and zucchini fritti

(L) Donations for the upcoming Feast of San Rocco were 
pinned onto the Saint's statue. (R) Rucolino, amaro alla rucola 

We quickly polished off another bottle of Amaro Lucano 

The Sanfedisti can always be counted on to fly 
the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Andrew gets the fire started as Steve leads us in prayer

An old Christmas tree is tossed onto the fire 

(Above & below) It quickly turns into a towering inferno

Devotees gather around the firepit for some warmth

Revelers sing traditional Neapolitan folk songs and dance around the fire 

(Above & below) A good time was had by all 

Raymond, Marco and Giorgio

(L) John and Lucy. (R) Andrew tends the fire

The festivities continued well into the night

Commemorating HM Francesco II di Borbone and the Fucarazzo di Sant'Antuono in Bellmore, Long Island

A handful of neobriganti braved the cold weather
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Thursday, January 16th — Members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) converged on Casa Giordano in Bellmore, Long Island Thursday evening to commemorate the birthday of HM Francesco II di Borbone (1836-1894), the last King of the Two Sicilies, and the vigil of the Feast of Sant’Antuono Abate (St. Anthony the Abbot).

Reminiscent of the sagra del maiale (pig festival) celebrated over the summer, Chef Giordano once again treated us to an impressive array of delicious pork delicacies in honor of the great saint who, according to legend, stole fire from the Devil with the aid of a pig in order to help keep humanity warm.

Eating our fill of the delicious fatty fare, the more adventurous among us defied the elements and tarried around the bonfire (fucarazzo), traditionally set ablaze on the eve of the Feast of St. Anthony to ward off disease and evil spirits.

Partying well into the night, we eventually went back indoors to warm up and enjoy some more Strega, amaro and caffè. Viva ‘o Rre and Viva Sant’Antonio!

Portraits of Sant'Antuono Abate and King Francesco II on display

Grilling the sausages

Sweet and hot sausages

Baking the potatoes in the hot ashes

Keeping warm by the fire

Marcantonio regaled us with a few traditional Neapolitan songs

Brigante se more

Andrew adds the pièce de résistance to the buffet table

Guests were treated to a sumptuous repast

Affettati e formaggio

Sicilian pizza 

Freshly made mozzarella with olive oil

We drank to the memory of good King Francis

The fire smoldered well into the night