• Stories from Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile
Publisher: Independently published
Publication Date: February 26, 2021
Paperback: $26.99
Language: English
Pages: 376
Click here to see more books
Listing does not imply endorsement
March 30, 2021
New Book: Stories from Pentamerone
March 29, 2021
Photo of the Week: The Madonna Addolorata at the Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Naples
 |
| Photo by Andrew Giordano |
March 23, 2021
Photo of the Week: Dead Christ at the Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Naples
 |
| Photo by Andrew Giordano |
March 22, 2021
Celebrating the Feast of San Giuseppe in Brooklyn, New York
 |
| We erected a small St. Joseph's Table by the front window |
Having given up meat, eggs and dairy for Lent, revelers made the most of the solemnity and partook of some cheese, eggs (in the rice balls) and of course the pastries. However, despite the dispensation, we still insisted no meat be on the menu.
Special thanks to our friends at the Italian American St. Joseph Society of New Orleans, the San Rocco Society of Potenza in New York City, and the Madonna della Neve Society of Williamsburg, Brooklyn for joining us. It is always a great joy to celebrate our faith and culture together. Evviva San Giuseppe!
 |
| La Tavola di San Giuseppe |
 |
| Tony made his world famous pane di San Giuseppe |
 |
| Guests were given blessed prayer cards, medals and packets of lucky fava beans |
 |
| A good time was had by all |
 |
| Caponata |
 |
| Carciofi fritti |
 |
| Mixed seafood salad |
 |
| Arancini |
 |
| Fried anchovies |
 |
| Insalata di finocchio |
 |
| Eggplant parmigiana |
 |
| Sautéed greens with pine nuts |
 |
| Pasta con sarde with toasted breadcrumbs |
 |
| Pasta alla Norma |
 |
| Stuffed calamari |
 |
| Grilled swordfish |
 |
| Sfingi |
 |
| Zeppole and sfingi di San Giuseppe |
 |
| Salvatore, Stephen and Lucia |
 |
| Tony and Loreto |
 |
| Pamela and Raffaele |
 |
| Vinny and Elena |
 |
| Isaac, Andrea "BTB", Francesco "il gatto nero" and Frank |
Happy Twelfth Anniversary
Preparing for the worst, we’ve been backing up our material in case we fall victim to the online purge currently baby-proofing the web for the ridiculously sensitive and intolerant masses. Who knows, we just may have to start up an old-school samizdat style journal similar to the underground fanzines we use to publish back in high school with nothing but a typewriter, photocopier and a desire to be heard.
Online censorship aside, we also have to contend with a growingly hostile environment. The steady decline of New York City into an unlivable hellscape makes it harder and harder to gather in public with family and friends. Fear of crime, overcrowding, skyrocketing costs, and crumbling infrastructure were issues before the COVID meltdown, now the draconian lockdown, partisan politics, and government incompetence has made it virtually impossible for us to do more than have a few small scale celebratory dinners and (excluding the unjustified period of church closures) attend the Traditional Latin Mass together.
Naturally, all plans to reboot our book and chess clubs or start new stamp and fencing clubs are on hold for the foreseeable future. To the best of our ability we are trying to maintain our religious and charitable endeavors, including spiritual warfare, the corporal works of mercy and heroic acts of charity. As for the blog, we can’t make any promises. We will continue to write and publish for as long as we like or until our technocratic overlords jettison us down the proverbial memory hole.
A big heartfelt thank you to all our loyal readers and contributors, even the lovable nitpickers who help keep us on our toes. Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated and inspire us to do better. God bless you all.
~ Giovanni di Napoli, March 21st, The Feasts of Bl. Maria Candida of the Eucharist and San Benedetto da Nursia
March 18, 2021
New Book — Elionor of Sicily, 1325—1375: A Mediterranean Queen of Two Worlds
New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Amazon.com
Publication Date: June 9, 2021
Hardcover: $139.99
Language: English
Pages: n/a
March 17, 2021
Feast of San Corrado di Baviera
 |
| San Corrado di Baviera, ora pro nobis |
In celebration, I'm posting the Supplica a San Corrado, Patrono di Molfetta. The accompanying photo was taken at Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New Jersey. Unveiled on July 14, 2013, the statue was sculpted by Lyndhurst, New Jersey native Nicolò Scardigno in honor of his parents, Salvatore and Anna, who hail from Molfetta. Evviva San Corrado di Baviera!
Supplica a San Corrado, Patrono di Molfetta
Miracolo dei Principi, modello dei Religiosi, immagine limpida dei Pellegrini e degli Eremiti, glorioso San Corrado, noi ti onoriamo e ti scegliamo come nostro Patrono e Protettore.
Benediciamo la Santissima Trinità che con tre esperienze da eremita volle perfezionare la tua santità.
Benediciamo l’Eterno Padre, che con la sua onnipotenza ti chiamò nel monastero di Chiaravalle per renderti umile e povero sulla terra ma grande e ricco in Cielo.
Benediciamo il Figlio Gesù, che con la sua sapienza ti spinse in Palestina per farti partecipe della sua vita onorando la memoria della sua passione, morte e risurrezione.
Benediciamo lo Spirito Santo, che con la sua carità ti indicò la grotta di Modugno per renderti sconosciuto e nascosto negli ultimi anni della tua vita terrena ma rinomato, glorioso e santo agli occhi della Chiesa e del mondo.
Ricordati, nostro Protettore San Corrado, che Dio Altissimo ti ha destinato a noi, e per noi ti ha guidato in questa nostra terra.
A te affidiamo noi stessi, i nostri parenti, i nostri amici, la vita della nostra Chiesa diocesana e della nostra città.
Intercedi per noi presso Dio Padre, affinché possiamo rendere ferma la nostra fede, salda la speranza e ardente la carità.
Chiedi al Signore, per noi, la salute del corpo e la consolazione dello spirito, difesa nei pericoli, sicurezza nel lavoro, sollievo nel dolore, serenità nella famiglia, pace e concordia nella comunità cristiana e nel mondo intero.
Proteggici nel pellegrinaggio di questa vita, in modo che, liberi da ogni attaccamento alle cose di questo mondo, possiamo ringraziarti per la tua protezione e, insieme con te, lodare, esaltare e glorificare il nome di Gesù Cristo che vive e regna per tutti i secoli dei secoli. Amen
March 16, 2021
March 14, 2021
Feast of Beato Giacomo Cusmano, Apostle of the Poor
 |
| Beato Giacomo Cusmano, ora pro nobis |
Prayer to Beato Giacomo Cusmano
O Dio, Padre onnipotente e misericordioso, ti ringrazio e ti benedico che hai adornato il cuore del beato Giacomo Cusmano in una caritá senza limiti nel soccorrere i poveri ed i miseri. Fá che anch’io, sul suo esempio, acceso dello stesso ardore di caritá, si sempre lieto di donare la vita a gloria del tuo nome e a servizio dei fratelli per essere da te benedetto nel Regno dei Cieli e concedimi, per sua intercessione, le grazie delle quali ho tanto bisogno. Gloria al Padre ecc.
March 11, 2021
Live Dangerously
 |
| Overnight Eucharistic Adoration at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents in NYC |
When nothing in society deserves respect, we should fashion for ourselves in solitude new silent loyalties. ~ Nicólas Gómez Dávila
I was recently asked by a concerned reader if everything was okay with me because I haven’t written about Mass in awhile. Assuring him all is well and that I still attend the Traditional Latin Mass regularly, I’ve been devoting my time to Lenten prayer and works of mercy, so I haven’t (until now) really had the chance to write all that much about anything. Considering how scandalous things have been with the Church these days I honestly can’t blame him for thinking something was wrong, but the reality is I belong to a really good parish and, if anything, Church, prayer and my myriad devotions are the main reasons why I’m getting through these downright awful times.
On the other hand, I’m not sure how my secular friends and family (at least the normal ones) are coping with the current state of affairs, especially after the appalling events of the so-called “summer of rage” and contentious election. Everything they were taught to believe and hold dear has been utterly debased and adulterated. What a shock it must be to suddenly come to the disquieting realization that one’s precious state religion (i.e. democracy), with all its chimeric tenets (freedom of speech, equality, etc.), is a golden calf worthy of derision and scorn.
As world-weary as I am, even I’m amazed at the level of open corruption and decadence, and how feeble the resistance is. In fact, things are so bad that even with my faith if I didn’t already have a healthy distrust of the government, an animus towards politicians, and a fundamental antipathy towards democracy dating back to my youth, I’m not so sure I would be able to temper my passions.
Our progressive lords and masters aren’t even trying to hide it anymore; like pigs in slop, they are reveling in their iniquity. All the institutions (legacy media, Hollywood, big tech, education, and the financial oligarchs, not to mention the corrupt political class and a complicit and feckless church hierarchy) are waging relentless psychological warfare on the populace with an incessant barrage of politically correct claptrap and woke agitprop. One cannot turn on a computer or television without being inundated with fake news and virtue-signaling gobbledygook. The dystopian future we feared has arrived in all its discordant glory. I know it’s a cliche, but we really are witnessing the actualization of George Orwell’s 1984. Big Brother is watching you.
I belong to the opposition party, which is called life. ~ Honoré de Balzac
Before someone accuses me of taking sides let me be clear, I don’t trust or like either political party. As far as I’m concerned, both the Dems and the GOP are shameless crooks and reprobates. Neither represent or speak for me. This is not open to debate.
Believe me, I get no pleasure or morbid satisfaction watching the country implode in real time; but really, who didn’t see all this coming? About thirty years ago I predicted these United States would break up in fifty years. I was thoroughly mocked for it at the time, but I still stand by that prediction. Reality is on my side. Our moribund civilization is in the process of rapid and steady decline, and I believe without a return to the Faith this is irrevocable. It is plain to see that the system is broken and we do not live in a sane society or a free country. How long before the soft totalitarianism of cancel culture, censorship and social engineering turns into the hard variety with gulags, guillotines and firing squads?
With all pretenses of a legitimate government gone, we practicing Catholics will soon have to worry about a lot more than toppled statues and desecrated churches. Don’t kid yourself, tough times lie ahead of us and unless we discipline and harden ourselves in preparation there will be hell to pay. The future belongs to the ascetic and heroic; a servile and gelded existence awaits the cowards and eunuchs.
Take solace, we are not without realistic and tenable options. First and foremost we should concentrate on the things that are in our control and we can change. Strive to live a noble life, ovoid sin and practice virtue. Prayer, fasting and penance must take precedence. Support like-minded groups and individuals that support our values. Exercise, study, keep our traditions and folkways, and most importantly raise a God-fearing family. What can be more rebellious today?
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Faith, family and community need to be our priorities if we are to someday overcome the disordered demoniac consciousness currently infecting all aspects of society. In a more civilized time this was all considered sane and healthy behavior, now it’s deemed extreme and dangerous by the unhinged miscreants in charge. Bound by duty and love of God, I choose to live dangerously! Viva Cristo Re!
~ Giovanni di Napoli, March 10th, Feast of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste
March 10, 2021
New Kindle: Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: The Time Traveler's Guide
• Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: The Time Traveler's Guide by Louis Mendola
Publisher: Trinacria Editions
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Publication Date: May 1, 2021
Kindle: $12.00
Language: English
File size: 3900 KB
Click here to see more books
Listing does not imply any endorsement
March 9, 2021
March 8, 2021
Feast of San Cataldo, Vescovo di Taranto
 |
San Cataldo Vescovo, ora pro nobis |
March 8th is the Feast of San Cataldo, Monk, Wonderworker and Bishop of Taranto. Invoked against epilepsy, paralysis and visual impairments, he is also called upon for protection against plagues, droughts and terrible storms.
Born in the early seventh century to pious parents in Canty, Ireland, San Cataldo had a reputation for great holiness. According to tradition, he performed many miracles, including raising from the dead a worker who fell to his death while repairing the roof of the monastery in Lismore, County Waterford.
Accused of witchcraft by Meltrides, the regulus of the Desii, he was imprisoned by the King of Munster. However, two angels visited the King in a dream and warned him not to harm his prisoner. The next day when the King learned that Meltrides had died, he immediately freed San Cataldo and offered him the dead man's lands in recompense. He was appointed Bishop of Rachau.
Leaving Ireland to visit Rome and the Holy Land, a great storm on the return trip left him shipwrecked at Taranto in Apulia. There, he brought back to life a sailor who died in the storm. Naturally the people did not want the holy man to leave and chose him to stay and be their Bishop.
Carrying out his work, San Cataldo built churches and schools, ordained new priests, and helped the city’s downtrodden. Continuing his miracles, he restored the eyesight of a blind man.
Dying on March 8th in 685, he was interred in the chapel of St. John of Galilee in the Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena (now the Cattedrale di San Cataldo). Sacked and destroyed by Saracens, the memory of the tomb was lost in time.
On May 10, 1071 the body of San Cataldo was discovered during the restoration of the Cathedral. The Saint’s gold cross with the inscription, "Cataldus Rachau," was found in the marble urn and is now preserved in the Chapel’s treasury. Reinterred in a silver casket, his relics are reposed beneath the church’s high altar.
In addition to March 8th, the city of Taranto honors their glorious patron on the first Sunday of September and on May 10th, in commemoration of the discovery of his relics.
Widely venerated across southern Italy, San Cataldo is the principal patron of Taranto (TA), Corato (BA), Cagnano Varano (FG), Brienza (PZ), Massa Lubrense (NA), Roccaromana (CE), Cirò Marina (KR), San Cataldo (CL), Gangi (PA), Gagliano Castelferrato (EN), and Giuliano Teatino (CH), among others.
In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Cataldo. The accompanying photo was taken at the Shrine church of Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter Street) in New York City's historic Little Italy. Evviva San Cataldo!
Prayer to Saint Cataldo
We salute thee with our hearts o most glorious San Cataldo, our Protector and Advocate. We remit all our possessions and ourselves to your pity. Be so graceful to bestow upon us the protection and grace of God through your most potent intercession; do so that our life conforms to yours to join you in Heaven to praise and enjoy God. Amen.
March 6, 2021
Feast of Santa Rosa da Viterbo, Patron Saint of Exiles and Tertiaries
 |
| Santa Rosa, ora pro nobis |
Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious. ~ St. Rose of ViterboMarch 6th is the Feast of Santa Rosa da Viterbo (1233-1251), Virgin, Mystic and Miracle Worker. A poor Franciscan Third Order penitent, young Rosa was a zealous street preacher who, inspired by a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, exhorted Christians to live a life filled with prayer and penance.
During the great power struggle between Emperor Frederick II and the papacy, Rosa sided with the local Guelph faction loyal to Pope Innocent IV against the rival Ghibellines, who supported the Holy Roman Emperor. Briefly exiled to Soriano nel Cimino for her political alignment, she foretold the impending death of the Emperor and soon returned home after papal dominion was restored.
In addition to her gift of prophecy, Rosa was also a great miracle worker. According to tradition, while preaching at nearby Vitorchiano she came across a witch and tried to convert her. Failing to do so, Rosa had the townspeople build a large wooden pyre and climbed on top. Setting it ablaze, she sang the praises of God for three hours while engulfed in flames. Seeing Rosa emerge miraculously unscathed, the astonished sorceress and all the other doubters in the town immediately repented.
Back in Viterbo, she sought admission into the Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), but was turned away because she could not provide the required dowery. Accepting the decision, she foretold her admission to the convent after her death. Continuing her life of penance and mendicancy, she soon fell ill and died at the age of eighteen.
Not long after her death, Rosa appeared in glory to Pope Alexander IV and urged him to translate her body. Found to be incorrupt, the Holy Father had her body moved from the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Poggio to the church in the Monastery of the Poor Clares, as she had prophesied. The church and monastery are now named after Santa Rosa. On September 4th the city of Viterbo commemorates the translation.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Saint Rose of Viterbo. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken in 2019 at the Chiesa Sant'Anna in Pietrelcina, Benevento. Evviva Santa Rosa!
Prayer to Saint Rose of Viterbo
Lord God, who gave the holy Virgin Rose gift upon gift from heaven, grant, we pray, that, imitating her virtues on earth, we may delight with her in the joys of eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
March 5, 2021
Masses for the Repose of the Soul of HRH Prince Don Ferdinando Maria di Borbone delle Due Sicilie
 |
| HRH Prince don Ferdinando Maria di Borbone delle Due Sicilie |
Priests of the Order are asked to offer Mass on that day, or if impossible the nearest available day, for the repose of the soul of Prince Ferdinando, all of the late Grand Masters, and all the deceased Knights and Dames of the Order, particularly remembering those of the American Delegation.
All knights and dames, in turn, are asked to pray for our deceased confratelli and consorelle.
• Tentative. Alhambra, CA: St. Therese Church, 1100 E Alhambra Road. 9:00 am.
• Brooklyn, NY: St. Francis of Paola Church (Divine Mercy Parish), 219 Conselyea Street. 5:00 pm.
• Chicago, IL: Shrine of Christ the King: 6401 S Woodlawn Ave. 11:00 am.
• Tentative. Houston, TX: Annunciation Church: 1618 Texas Ave. 8:00 am.
• Tentative. Lantana, FL: Holy Spirit Church: 1000 Lantana Road. 9:00 am.
• Newark, NJ: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church: 259 Oliver Street. 4:00 pm.
• New Orleans, LA: Old St. Patrick Church: 724 Camp Street. 8:00 am.
• Roswell, GA: Epiphany of Our Lord Church: 2030 Old Alabama Road. 5:30 pm.
• Sulphur, LA: Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 1109 Cypress Street. 8:00 am.
• Washington, DC: St. Mary Mother of God Church, 727 5th St NW. 10:30 am.
Source: Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George American Delegation
March 4, 2021
The Miraculous Novena of Grace in Honor of St. Francis Xavier
 |
| St. Francis Xavier, ora pro nobis |
St. Francis Xavier Novena Prayer
O most kind and loving saint, in union with you I adore the Divine Majesty. The remembrance of the favors with which God blessed you during life, and of your glory after death, fills me with joy; and I unite with you in offering to God my humble tribute of thanksgiving and of praise. I implore of you to secure for me, through your powerful intercession, the all important blessing of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beseech you to obtain the favor I ask in this Novena (state your intensions here), but if what I ask is not for the glory of God or for the good of my soul, obtain for me what is most conducive to both. Amen.
Concluding Prayer
O God, who was pleased to gather unto your Church the people of the East by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we who honor his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* Photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 3, 2021
New Books (March 2021)
• The Hamilton Letters: The Naples Dispatches of Sir William Hamilton by John A. Davis and Giovanni Capuano
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date: January 28, 2021
Paperback: $32.73
Language: English
Pages: 272
Publisher: Independently published
Publication Date: February 25, 2021
Paperback: $4.95
Language: English
Pages: 49
Publication Date: February 25, 2021
Paperback: $4.95
Language: English
Pages: 49
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
