January 29, 2021

New Book — Goddesses of Akragas: A Study of Terracotta Votive Figurines from Sicily

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com


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Goddesses of Akragas: A Study of Terracotta Votive Figurines from Sicily by Dr. Gerrie Van Rooijen

Publisher: Sidestone Press
Publication Date: Jan. 22, 2021
Hardback: $245.00
Paperback: $95.00
Language: English
Pages: 388

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January 28, 2021

Ponderable Quote from “The Song of Roland”

I recently (nine days ago, to be exact) dusted off my old, slightly musty copy of The Song of Roland to serve as a kind of novena for the Feast of Bl. Emperor Charlemagne. I did this last year with In Praise of the New Knighthood for the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and found the exercise extremely edifying. Needless to say, I feel the same way about revisiting this masterpiece of medieval literature. If you haven't already read this glorious chanson de geste, I cannot recommend it highly enough. With no shortage of inspirational passages to choose from, I decided to simplify my decision and share the following excerpt solely because it's where I’m currently at in the book. Carolo Magno Imperatore, ora pro nobis.
The emperor has had his trumpets sounded;
then, with his mighty host, the brave lord rides.
The men from Spain have turned their backs to them;
they all ride out together in pursuit.
The king, on seeing dusk begin to fall,
Dismounts upon the green grass in a field,
Prostates himself, and prays Almighty God
that He will make the sun stand still for him,
hold back the night, and let the day go on.
An angel he had spoken with before
came instantly and gave him this command:
“Ride on, Charles, for the light shall not desert you.
God knows that you have lost the flower of France;
you may take vengeance on the guilty race.”
And at these words, the emperor remounts. AOI
* Reprinted from The Song of Roland, author unknown, translated and with an introduction by Robert Harrison, A Signet Classic, 2002, p.131-132

January 24, 2021

Celebrating the Second Annual King Louis XVI of France Memorial and the Feast of Sant’Agnese

Portrait of King Louis XVI of France with royalist flags
Domine salvum fac Regem et exaudi nos in die qua invocaverimus te. Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. (1)

My Sanfedisti brethren and I happily returned to Joe’s of Ave U (287 Ave. U) in Gravesend, Brooklyn Thursday evening to commemorate the memory of King Louis XVI of France, the Feast of Sant’Agnese di Roma, and (most appreciatively) my birthday. After the miserable Wednesday we endured, admittedly more so for Napoli’s disappointing loss to Juventus in the Supercoppa than the sham inauguration, a convivial dinner was just what we needed to lift our spirits. While we can never truly forget what great evil we are up against and where our duty lies, its always nice to get together with friends, thumb our noses at our perfidious overlords and enjoy a few of the simple things in life while we still can. Evviva Sant'Agnes and Vive le roi!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 23rd, Feast of St. Emerentiana
Centerpiece with flags of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, and the Spanish Cross of Burgundy
Makeshift table shrine with St. Louis IX of France, Servant of God King Francis II of Bourbon Two Sicilies, St. Joan of Arc, St. Agnes of Rome, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a green scapula, and reliquary with stones from the Apparition Grotto at the Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo in Gargano, Puglia
Panelle e crocchè di patate
Vastedda Palermitana
Caponata
Arancini speciali
Vongole al forno
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Pollo alla Milanese
Someone waggishly transposed the numbers on our dessert
Caffe and spirits complete the meal
Raffaele, Andrew, Tony and John with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Notes: 
(1) Lord, save the King, and hear us when we call upon thee. Glory to the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning and is now, and it shall be, for ever without end. Amen.

January 23, 2021

New Book: Textile Activity and Cultural Identity in Sicily Between the Late Bronze Age and Archaic Period

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

Textile Activity and Cultural Identity in Sicily Between the Late Bronze Age and Archaic Period by Gabriella Longhitano

Publisher: Oxbow Books
Publication Date: July 31, 2021
Paperback: $55.00
Language: English
Pages: 288

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January 18, 2021

Celebrating the Feast of Sant'Antuono Abate

Sant'Antuono Abate, ora pro nobis
Saturday, January 16th — A handful of us gathered in Bellmore, Long Island Saturday evening to commemorate the birthday of Servant of God Francesco II di Borbone, the last king of the Two Sicilies, and the eve of the Feast of Sant’Antuono Abate with prayer and a traditional Fucarazzo di Sant'Antuono, or St. Anthony bonfire. Said to ward off evil spirits, the purifying conflagration also signifies the coming of spring and the end of winter.  
(L) Fucarazzo di Sant'Antuono, or St. Anthony’s Bonfire.
(R) Andrew removes the potatoes from the ashes

Since we abstain from meat on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays as part of our Brown Scapular devotion and Friday penance, as well as being a vigil to a great feast, the evening was more solemn and contemplative than festive. Meditating in silence most of the night, devotees finally broke the fast at midnight with potatoes baked in the hot ashes and a few shots of amaro in honor of His Majesty and our glorious Wonderworker.

* * *

Our gracious host Stephen with image of Sant'Antuono

Sunday, January 17th — Continuing the observance the next day at sundown, we joined our San Rocco Society brethren in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn for their annual Feast Day celebration. The festivities kicked-off with prayers by our host Stephen La Rocca, which were unintentionally accentuated by the 6pm tolling of church bells. 

Revelers enjoying the protective flames of the bonfire

Less austere than the vigil, partygoers ate, drank and mingled around the fire. Since it's customary to eat pig on the feast, most of the dishes had at least some pork in them. 


Continuing well into the night, the fire was steadily fed Christmas trees, dried palm fronds from Palm Sunday, and other kindling from the garden. Considering how tough things have been of late and how grim our Nation's prospects look, it was no surprise a few diehards didn't want the time-honored tradition to end.

Hot and sweet sausages on the grill

Heartfelt thanks to The Giordano family in Long Island and the La Rocca family in Brooklyn for your warmth and hospitality. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith and culture together. Evviva Sant'Antuono!

Photo of the Week: Statue of St. Peter Attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Photo by Andrew Giordano

January 16, 2021

Celebrating the Feast of San Felice di Nola and Sant’Ilario di Poitiers in Brooklyn, New York

(L-R) Servant of God King Francis II di Bourbon,
flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and San Felice di Nola

After a short hiatus, members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) got back into the swing of things and celebrated the Feast of San Felice di Nola and Sant’Ilario di Poitiers at Joe’s of Avenue U (287 Ave. U), an old-school Sicilian eatery in Gravesend, Brooklyn. Our first get-together in 2021 (outside of Mass, of course), the little shindig was a modest, but good start to the new year. It also served as a nice warm-up for our upcoming Second Annual Feast of St. Agnes and King Louis XVI of France Memorial Dinner Party. [See last year's celebration.]

Makeshift table shrine with prayer cards for Sant'Antonio Abate, San Sebastiano, and Servants of God Pauline-Marie Jaricot and HM Francis II di Bourbon

As is our custom, we concluded grace with a Litany of Saints. In addition to our group’s patrons, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Andrew the Apostle, St. John the Baptist and the Madonna del Soccorso, we included several saints commemorated in mid-January: St. Hyginus, St. Paul the First Hermit, St. Maurus the Abbot, St. Marcellus I, St. Anthony the Abbot, St. Prisca, St. Canute, St. Fabian, St. Marius, St. Martha, St. Audifax, St. Abachum, and St. Sebastian. We also honored the Venerable Servants of God Pauline-Marie Jaricot and HM Francis II di Bourbon, the last King of the Two Sicilies.

Mista polpo e calamari
While Comrade De Blasio’s mandated outdoor dining area was ridiculous and unsightly, the restaurant's food and service were excellent and more than made up for it. Refusing to let the politburo’s awful policies hinder their success, Paolo, Caterina and the rest of the crack waitstaff were exemplary. Despite the government's hinderances, they did a tremendous job keeping us patrons well fed and satisfied. 
Caponata
With so much happening in the world that is out of our control, at the very least we can try and help keep our favorite local businesses afloat and prevent the devious, fearmongering political tyrants from completely gutting our struggling communities. Practice the faith, celebrate your culture, and support those who make it possible for you to do so. Evviva San Felice di Nola and Sant’Ilario di Poitiers!
~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 15, Feast of San Mauro Abate
Panelle e crocchè di patate
Cavolfiore alla palermitana
Salsiccia e patate
Blessed wine from the Feast of San Giovanni Evangelista
Profiterole
Ricotta cheesecake
John, Andrew and Raffaele with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

January 15, 2021

Around the Web — IAP 171: The King Who Would be a Saint: Francesco II, King of the Two Sicilies, with Special Guest Lou Mendola

On December 11, 2020, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the outgoing Archbishop of Naples, Italy, announced that he was opening a case on the beatification of King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies. If approved, the Vatican will begin an investigation into the “heroic virtues” of the King, which is the first step towards canonization; His Majesty will then be proclaimed a Servant of God and join his mother, Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy (1812-1836), on the path to sainthood.

The last monarch of an ancient kingdom, which was for 730 years the independent nation of Southern Italy and the Island of Sicily, Francesco II is not well-known to most people, outside of a small circle. Continue reading


Listen to podcast: IAP 171: The King Who Would be a Saint: Francesco II, King of the Two Sicilies, with Special Guest Lou Mendola

January 14, 2021

Around the Web: The Fata Morgana, Elusive Phenomenon in the Strait of Messina

Awakening of the Fata Morgana by Santina Orrico in Falvo, Palazzo della Cultura
Reprinted from Calabria: the Other Italy

“I have never beheld the enchantment of the Straits of Messina, that Fata Morgana, when, under certain conditions of weather, phantasmagoric palaces of wondrous shape are cast upon the waters – not mirrored, but standing upright; tangible, as it were; yet diaphanous as a veil of gauze.” Thus spake Norman Douglas in his Old Calabria. The extraordinary vision, looking across the Strait of Messina from Reggio Calabria to Sicily has eluded me, as well, in all my time spent in the Città della Fata Morgana


What is the Fata Morgana?


In Reggio, it is said that the Fata Morgana is best seen on particularly warm, muggy days, at daybreak when the special combination of refraction and reflection create the mirage-like effect over the water. Yet, I remember seeing a photo in a Calabrian newspaper a number of years ago of the phenomenon on a cold winter’s day. Continue reading

January 5, 2021

New Book: The Tyrants of Syracuse: War in Ancient Sicily Volume II (367-211 BC)

Forthcoming title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com

The Tyrants of Syracuse: War in Ancient Sicily Volume II (367-211 BC) by Jeff Champion

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
Publication Date: June 30, 2021
Paperback: $26.95
Language: English
Pages: 272

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January 4, 2021

Photo of the Week: Adoration of the Kings by Belisario Corenzio at the Duomo di Salerno

The Adoration of the Kings or Adoration of the Magi by Belisario Correnzio
Photo by Andrew Giordano

January 1, 2021

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Chiara!

HRH was born in Rome in 2005
Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone
Happy Birthday Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto and Capri! We wish you a day filled with happiness and a year filled with joy! Auguri!