Photo of the Week: Detail of the Tomb of Cardinal Alfonso Gesualdo, Basilica di Santa Restituta

Detail of the tomb of Cardinal Alfonso Gesualdo by Naccarino, 1603,
inside the Basilica di Santa Restituta at the Duomo di Napoli. Patron of
Sant'Andrea della Valle, a minor basilica in Rome, the Neapolitan
Cardinal is portrayed with glorious St. Andrew the Apostle
Photo by Andrew Giordano

Announcement of the Death of Msgr. Nicholas V. Grieco

Msgr. Nicholas V. Grieco celebrating the Feast of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco, at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Msgr. Nicholas V. Grieco. 

Msgr. Nick was an active and vital part of The Craco Society who contributed greatly to our efforts to maintain our history, culture, and traditions. He will be missed greatly.

A wake will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 6-8pm at St. Cecilia Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT.  A funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 3 at St. Cecilia Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery on Long Island.

Vigil of Saint Andrew the Apostle and Feast of St. Saturninus of Toulouse

San Saturnino di Tolosa, ora pro nobis

Dóminus secus mare Galilææ vidit duos fratres, Petrum et Andréam, et vocávit eos: Venite post me: fáciam vos fíeri piscatóres hóminum. Ps. 18, 2. Cœli enarrant glóriam Dei: et ópera mánam ejus annúntiat firmaméntum. V Glória Patri.

The Lord saw two brothers. Peter and Andrew, by the seaside of Galilee, and He called them; Come ye after Me, I will make you to be fishers of men. Ps. 18, 2. The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the works of His Hands. V. Glory

November 29th is the Vigil of Saint Andrew the Apostle and the Feast of St. Saturninus of Toulouse, Bishop and Martyr (If the feast of St. Andrew falls on a Monday, the vigil Mass is said on the previous Saturday as no vigil may be kept on a Sunday). In celebration, I’m posting the Introit (Matt. 4, 18, 19) and Prayers in Latin and English. The Illumination of the Martyrdom of St. Saturninus by Jacobus de Voragine was extracted from the Legend Aurea, XIV century. Evviva Sant’Andrea e San Saturnino di Tolosa!

The Vigil Prayer of St. Andrew

Quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut beátus Andréas Apóstolus, cujus prævenímus festivitátem, tuum pro nobus implóret auxílium; ut, a nostris reátibus absolúti, a cunctis étiam perículis eruámur. Per Dóminum.

We beseech Thee, O almighty God, that blessed Andrew, Thine apostle, for whose feast we are preparing, may implore for us Thine aid, that, our offenses being pardoned, we may also be saved from all dangers, Through our Lord.

Prayer of St. Saturninus (Nov. 29th)

Deus, qui nos beáti Saturnini Mártyris tui concedis natalítio pérfrui: ejus nos tríbue méritus adjuvári. Per Dóminum. 

O God, Who dost permit us to enjoy the feast-day of Blessed Saturninus, Thy martyr, grant us to be assisted by his merits. Through our Lord.

A Prayer for Waukesha, Wisconsin

Mary Immaculate, ora pro nobis

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the horrific November 21st car attack at the 58th Annual Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Though we may never know the real motives for the slaughter, which as of this writing has left five people dead and over 40 injured, we pray justice is swiftly meted out to the animal responsible and to all those who had a hand in allowing this career criminal, and others like him, to be out on the streets preying on the innocent. May St. William, St. John Neumann. St. Joseph, and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception protect and watch over Waukesha.

Prayer for the victims

Loving God, welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, and may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts. Amen.

Photo of the Week: Twelfth Century Lectern with Two Deacons on Lion Pedestals in the Duomo di Salerno

Photo by Andrew Giordano

Meridiunalata XXVI: Poems by Cav. Charles Sant'Elia

Reprinted from Cav. Charles Sant'Elia's Meridiunalata/Southernade, an evocative bilingual (Neapolitan/ English) collection of poetry written between 1989 and 2010.*

Abbiento

A casa
M’arravoglio
Int’’e lenzole antiche.
Vulesse parlà
C’’o nonno mio,
Ma nun avimm’’a dícere
Parole-
Avástano l’uocchie suoje
Pe me cunzulà.

Peace

At home
I wrap myself
In old sheets.
I would like to speak
With my grandfather,
But we don’t have to say
Words-
His eyes are enough
To console me.

Tu Ire

Tu ire sempe ‘a guagliona
Cu ‘a bicicletta,
P’’e scesulelle, p’’e vicarielle,
Na gavina ‘a na terra luntana,
Na frezza janculella
Mmiez’’o core d’’o quartiere,
Ma sempe na furastera,
Nu ncantésemo lieggio
Comm’a l’aria ,
‘E passaggio,
Na vutata d’uocchie
‘E dint’’a cuscienza,
‘A vita ‘e mmiez’’a cenisa
‘E n’ajere ca campammo
Tutt’’e ghiuorne.

You were

You were always the girl
With the bicycle,
Down the little slopes, through the little alleys, A seagull from a distant land,
A white arrow
In the heart of the neighbourhood,
But always a foreigner,
A spell light
As the air,
Transitory,
A blink of an eye
From inside the conscience,
Life amid the ashes
Of a yesterday that we are living
Every day.

Comme

Comme me pozzo scurdà
‘E te,
Funtanella ‘e chiazza,
Úrdema stella
D’’a mezanotte,
Ogne speranza nzista mia.

How

How could I forget
About you,
Little fountain in the square,
Last midnight
Star,
Every stubborn hope of mine.

* Self-published in 2010, Meridiunalata/Southernade is a treasury of poems gleaned from Cav. Sant'Elia's previous collections (Nchiuso dint''o presente, 'A cuntrora, and 'O pino e l'éllera), which were circulated among friends in New York City and Naples. Special thanks to Cav. Sant'Elia for allowing us to reprint his poetry and translations.

Remembering Maria Clementina of Austria, Queen of the Two Sicilies

24 April 1777 — 15 November 1801

In memory of Maria Clementina of Austria, Queen of the Two Sicilies, we pray for the happy repose of her soul. Viva ‘a Reggina!

Eternal rest grant unto Her Majesty, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Photo of the Week: Tomb of Cardinal Alfonso Gesualdo

Tomb of Cardinal Alfonso Gesualdo by Naccarino, 1603,
inside the Basilica di Santa Restituta at the Duomo di Napoli
Photo by Andrew Giordano

Traditional Latin Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Dearly Departed Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Ambrosio in Newark, New Jersey

The Italian Mass Project of New York

Restoring Faith, Restoring Culture — Connecting Italian-Americans to Italian Masses across New York State

Ciao fratelli e sorelle! Please check out our updated list of Italian and English/Italian Masses! Spread the information to your friends and family. And please let us know of any other parishes to add. Grazie!

Click here for for the latest google docs spreadsheet

The Italian Mass Project can also be found on Facebook

For more information email italianmassprojectny@gmail.com

Neapolitan Lessons for Groups of Two with Anna Scognamiglio

Serata Costantiniana in Wallington, New Jersey

Saturday, December 4th

Knights, Dames and Friends of the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I are invited to a Serata Costantiniana on Saturday, December 4, 2021, beginning with Mass at 5 pm at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wallington, New Jersey.*

Church mantle to be worn for the Mass, Clergy may either concelebrate or assist in choir dress, indicating their choice in advance.

Following the Mass, will be a festive, elegant Neapolitan reception with entertainment by the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. Dress is cocktail attire.

The cost for the reception is $100 per person. Reservations must be submitted to the Delegation Office no later than Saturday, November 27.

For more information please email the Delegation Office at info@smocsg.org, or call 1-833-514-3040.

* Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church is located at 127 Paterson Avenue, Wallington, NJ 07057.

Photo of the Week: Romanesque Bell Tower of the Duomo di Salerno

Photo by Andrew Giordano

Indulgenced Prayers for Every Day in the Week for the Souls in Purgatory

The Holy Souls in Purgatory, Our Lady of Peace Church, Gowanus, Brooklyn

For Sunday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory - and especially that soul amongst them all who is most destitute of spiritual aid - and vouchsafe to bring it to Thy glory, there to praise and bless Thee for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary,

Prayer for the Dead (De Profundis, Psalm 130)

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice. 

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand? 

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord. 

My soul hath relied on His word;  my soul hath hoped for the Lord. 

From the morning watch even unto night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen.

For Monday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in Purgatory - and that soul especially amongst them all which is nearest to its entrance into Thy glory; that so it may forthwith begin to praise and bless Thee for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

 

For Tuesday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the Souls in Purgatory, and in particular that one amongst them all which would be the last to depart out of these pains, that it may not tarry so long a time before it comes to praise Thee in Thy glory and bless Thee for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

 

For Wednesday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in the streets of Jerusalem when He carried the cross upon His sacred shoulders, deliver the souls in Purgatory and especially that soul which is richest in merits before Thee; that so, in that throne of glory which awaits it, it may magnify Thee and bless Thee for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

 

For Thursday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious Body and Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus, which He gave with His own hands upon the eve of His Passion to His beloved apostles to be their meat and drink, and which He left to His whole Church to be a perpetual sacrifice and the life-giving food of His own faithful people, deliver the souls in Purgatory and especially that one which was most devoted to this Mystery of infinite love, that it may with the same Thy Divine Son, and with The Holy Spirit, ever praise Thee for Thy love therein in eternal glory. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

 

For Friday

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed upon the wood of the cross, especially from His most sacred Hands and Feet, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particular that soul for which I am most bound to pray; that no neglect of mine may hinder it from praising Thee in Thy glory and blessing Thee for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

 

For Saturday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee, by the Precious Blood which gushed forth from the Side of Thy Divine Son Jesus, in the sight of, and to the extreme pain of His most holy Mother, Mary, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and especially that one amongst them all which was the most devote to her; that it may soon attain unto Thy glory, there to praise Thee in her and her in Thee world without end. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis, etc.

Compra Sud — Il Pizzaiolo

Il Pizzaiolo, an authentic taste of Naples in the suburbs of Pittsburgh

Let's support those who keep our traditions and folkways alive.*

Apologies to our friends at Il Pizzaiolo (703 Washington Rd.) in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, for not publishing this sooner, but after an impromptu road trip to the Bourbon Trail in Lexington, Kentucky and subsequent bout with COVID-19, I’m only recently getting back on my feet and working again. 

Originally this was going to be part of a larger write-up about the Catholic Identity Conference (CIC) in Pittsburgh, but we decided to make it a separate Compra Sud post to show more photos and focus attention on Pennsylvania's first Neapolitan pizzeria. 

Our experience at Il Pizzaiolo was so enjoyable, for the three nights we were in Steel City we didn’t bother trying different restaurants, we just returned to this phenomenal Neapolitan oasis. In fact, we liked it so much we even skipped out on our inclusive dinners at the hotel. It was that good. 

Special thanks to executive chef and proprietor Ron Molinaro, chef Anthony, and their crack waitstaff, Casey, Angelina, Noah, Amber, Nicole, Stacey and Angie for their warm hospitality, excellent service and, of course, delicious Neapolitan fare. You were hands down the culinary highlight of our entire trip.

Executive chef and owner Ron Molinaro with Angelina and chef Anthony

Andrew, Angelina and John with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Antipasto Napoli with assorted seasonal vegetables

Hot peppers stuffed with sausage, marinara and caciocavallo

Sicilian and Neapolitan arancini

Marinara pizza

Margherita pizza

Traditional slow cooked ragu Napoletano with San Marzano tomatoes, onions, red wine, beef braciole, sweet fennel sausage, meatballs and cavatelli pasta

Sfogliatelle

(Above & below) Some of the Neapolitan themed decor in the lounge area

Pulcinella

(L) The wood-fired forno napoletano in main dining room. (R) Day two, we enjoyed with our meal some cold Birra Lucana, a tasty pilsner from Potenza

Antipasto Napoli

Caprese salad with mozzarella di bufala, tomatoes and basil

Marinara pizza with anchovies

Some of the Neapolitan themed decor in the main dining area

Back for more, we began our third meal at Il Pizzaiolo with hot stuffed peppers

Margherita pizza

Farro salad with roasted peppers, cucumber,
tomatoes, onion, arugala and ricotta salata

Cavatelli rapini with sweet fennel sausage, rapini,
garlic, white wine and Pecorino Romano

Vitello Milanese

Il Pizzaiolo ★★★★★

Pizzeria Verace Napoletana, Dal 1996

703 Washington Rd.

Mt. Lebanon, PA 15229

412-344-4123 | www.ilpizzaiolo.com

* Our recommendations will be unsolicited, and only from our personal experience. No second hand suggestions will be made.

Feast of San Leonardo di Noblac (Limoges)

San Leonardo di Noblac, ora pro nobis

November 6th is the Feast of St. Leonard of Noblac (or St. Leonard of Limoges), Forest Hermit, Ascetic, Abbot, and Wonderworker. A sixth century Frankish nobleman in the court of King Clovis I, founder of the Merovingian Dynasty, St. Leonard converted to Catholicism with the King on Christmas Day in 496 AD. As a gift, St. Leonard attained from Clovis the right to liberate any prisoners he deemed deserving of freedom. The Queen, St. Clothilde, is credited with their conversion.

Forgoing the comforts of his station, St. Leonard chose the austere life of a hermit in the forest of Limousin. His reputation of sanctity quickly spread and he soon attracted a large following, especially among redeemed captives. 

One day, while the King was away hunting near St. Leonard's remote bosky hermitage, the expectant Clothilde, went into labor. Unable to return to the Queen in time, Clovis and St. Leonard prayed together for mother and child throughout the night. After safely gaving birth to a princess, also Clothilde, St. Leonard was handsomely rewarded with royal lands at Noblac, where he founded an abbey. 

In the eleventh century many miracles were attributed to the great Saint and his cult spread throughout Europe. Famously, when Prince Bohemond of Antioch, son of Robert the Guiscard, was taken prisoner during the First Crusade he attributed his release to St. Leonard and in gratitude offered silver manacles to the sanctuary of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. 

Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, St. Leonard is the principal patron of Ardore (RC), Portigliola (RC), Roccabascerana (AV), Baselice (BN), Borgia (CZ), Cariati (CS), Trebisacce (CS), Longobardi (VV), Castelmauro (CB), Castelsilano (KR), Colli a Volturno (IS), Forio (NA), Faeto (FG), Mongiuffi Melia (ME), Serradifalco (CL), Màscali (CT), Siculiana (AG), Montallegro (AG), and Partinico (PA). He is also patron saint of captives (prisoners of war, political prisoners, the unjustly imprisoned, etc.), women in labor, blacksmiths, farmers, and livestock.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Saint Leonard of Noblac. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken at the shrine of San Leonardo di Noblac inside the Chiesa San Pietro Caveoso in Matera. Evviva San Leonardo!

Prayer to Saint Leonard of Noblac

O Almighty God, who hast called us to faith in thee, and bast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good examples of thy Saints, and especially of thy servant Leonard, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at length, through thy mercy, we with them attain to thine eternal joy; through him who is the author and finisher of our faith, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book Presentation and Concert — Instrumental Music in Late Eighteenth-Century Naples: Politics, Patronage, and Artistic Culture

Join us to meet Prof. Anthony R. DelDonna, author of Instrumental Music in Late Eighteenth-Century Naples: Politics, Patronage, and Artistic Culture (Cambridge University Press, 2021), in conversation with Prof. Guido Olivieri (University of Texas at Austin) as they discuss the monograph and ongoing research into the instrumental music traditions of Naples.

In his book, Prof. DelDonna, who is also the Music Program Director at Georgetown University, investigates the wide-ranging role of instrumental genres within late 18th-century Neapolitan culture and introduces readers to this rarely explored sector of local artistic life.

The presentation will be followed by a concert of associated repertoire, performed by the critically acclaimed early music ensemble Modern Musick. The program will include works by Cimarosa, Alborea, Guglielmi, and Mascitti.

WHEN: November 11, 2021 at 7PM

WHERE: Georgetown University - 1501 Tondorf Road, Washington, DC 20007 (Located inside The Edward B. Bunn, S.J. Intercultural Center (ICC) Auditorium, on Georgetown University’s main campus)

This event is organized in collaboration with the Italian Research Institute (Georgetown College) and the Georgetown University Department of Performing Arts

Source: Istituto Italiano di Cultura Washington DC

Feast of the Holy Relics

All ye holy saints, orate pro nobis

God, in His goodness, has willed that the Saints should be distributed among the nations, so that their aid might never be wanting to us weak mortals. If He has given the principal cities to the greatest Saints for their residence, the grace with which they are endowed for our sake is not confined to the places where their entire bodies rest; where there are but small portions, there is the same power, and God thus gives testimony to their credit in heaven. From the holy deposit the sacred ashes are scattered abroad, and become the seeds of life; let but the least drop be taken from the spring, and it is itself a source producing rivers of grace and of love. ~ St. Paulinus of Nola.1

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII, November 5th is the Feast of the Holy Relics. Formally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of October and other dates (e.g. October 26th according to a 19th century breviary printed in Naples), it is customary for churches, especially those with large collections of relics, to combine the memorials into one general feast so the earthly remains of the Saints in Heaven can be venerated by the faithful.2 To dishonor or profane them is sacrilege and a sin. In celebration, I'm posting the hymn Sanctorum Meritis. Pictured is a reliquary containing the relics of various Martyrs from the Spanish Civil War on the high altar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Sanctorum Meritis

Let us together celebrate the glorious delights merited by the Saints, and their heroic deeds: for the mind exults to proclaim in song these the noblest of conquerors. These are they whom the world in its folly abhorred; while they, the faithful followers of Thy name, O Jesus merciful King of the heavenly citizens, despised the world as barren and devoid of fruits and flowers. For Thy sake they scorned the range of men, their savage threats and cruel stripes: the fiercely rending hook, vanquished by their courage, left the brave heart untouched. Like sheep, they are slaughtered by the sword: not a murmur, not a complaint escapes them; but with unqualing heart, the soul, conscious of right, preserves its patience. What voice, what tongue could relate the rewards Thou preparest for the Martyrs? For, adorned with the purple of their own blood, they bind their brows with victory's glittering laurels. We beseech thee, O supreme and only God, that Thou wouldst cleanse away our sins, remove all evils, and grant peace to Thy servants, that they may sing glory to Thee for all ages to come. Amen.

V. The Saints shall rejoice in glory;
R. They shall be joyful in their beds.

Sources: 

1) Feast of the Holy Relics from saintscatholic.blogspot.com

2) Feast of the Holy Relics from newliturgicalmovement.org

Photo of the Week: Monument to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Outside Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Church in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini with two young
Italian American orphans and/or immigrants

At long last I got to see the Mother Cabrini statue unveiled on June 11, 2021 outside Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Church at 125 Summit St. in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Feast of All Souls, Il Giorno dei Morti

The Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory

Requiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat eis Ps. 64, 2, 3. Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion; et tibi reddétur votum in Jerúsalem: exáudi oratiónem meam; ad te omnis caro véniet. Réquiem.

Eternal rest give to them O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. Ps. 64, 2, 3. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: O Lord, hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest.

November 2nd is the Feast of All Souls, or Il Giorno dei Morti, the Day of the Dead. In Southern Italy, it is typically celebrated by attending Mass and visiting the cemetery with flowers and candles to honor their ancestors. Young children who pray are rewarded by their grateful forebears with candy and other small gifts. The presents are usually left in their shoes while the children sleep. In celebration, I’m posting the Introit and Prayer in Latin and English for the Third Mass for All Souls Day. The accompanying photo was taken at, now closed, Saint Joseph's Church in Manhattan.

Prayer

Deus, véniæ largitor et humánæ salútis amator; quæsumus cleméntiam tuam; ut ánimas famulórum famularúmque tuárum, quæ ex hoc sæculo transiérunt, beáta María semper Virgine intercedénte cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpetuæ beattúdinis consórtium pervenire concédas. Per Dóminum.

O God, the bestower of pardon and lover of man’s salvation, we beseech Thy clemency, through the intercession of blessed Mary ever a virgin, and all Thy saints, that the brethren, who have passed out of this world may together enjoy everlasting happiness. Through our Lord.

All Souls' Day

Our Lady and the Souls in Purgatory with
San Sebastiano and San Gregorio Magno

November 2nd is All Souls' Day, or il Giorno dei Morti, the Day of the Dead. In memory of my ancestors I'm posting "All Soul's Day," a poem by Giuseppe Altobello.* The accompanying photo of Our Lady and the Souls of Purgatory with San Sebastiano and San Gregorio Magno was taken at the Cappella delle Anime al Purgatorio (Chapel of the Souls of Purgatory) during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Palatine Chapel inside the Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) in Napoli.

All Souls' Day

On every branch of every yellow tree

the fog has left a single tear behind

the sky's so dark today it's hard to see,

it wants to weep for all those in the ground.

A band of melancholy little sparrows

flew inside a heavy thicket all together

and brought their singing hour to a close

as soon as they observed the morning weather.

Without being even jiggled by the wind

every thick cypress tree that felt the rain

trickles its bitter tears down in the ground

and the thick cypress tree, made of a sudden

a giant aspergillum for this land,

blesses it without needing to be shaken.

* Reprinted from Dialect Poetry of Southern Italy, edited by Luigi Bonaffini, Legas, 1997

Novena to San Martino di Tours

A view of Monte Vesuvio from the Certosa di San Martino in Naples

Novena to be recited for nine consecutive days, November 2nd to November 10th, in preparation for the Feast of San Martino di Tours on November 11th.

Blessed Saint Martín of Tours, full of the Spirit of the Lord always having inexhaustible charity for the needy.

You, who full of love and generosity when you saw the beggar that was freezing from cold, without knowing that in truth he was Christ, did not doubt to give him half of your cape, and did not give it completely to him since the other half belonged to the Roman army; you, who did not seek recognition but only to favor your neighbor, found glory before the Lord. And when the Savior appeared to you dressed with the half-cape so as to express appreciation for your gesture and He told you “today you covered me with your mantle”, you decided to no longer serve the army and to dedicate your life to God and to the salvation of souls, being from then on a propagator of the faith and a holy man totally dedicated to whomever was in need.

Glorious Saint Martin, you who worked miracles and prodigies, who with joy, amiability and the most exquisite goodness won over the hearts of all and did not cease to ever work for their wellbeing: give me your hand and help me to come out of all lack and scarcity which today afflicts me and weighs me down.

Glorious Saint Martin, my blessed patron, I humbly ask you with great faith that you attain from God, the fount of all Mercies that my ways on this earth, my work and my toils be cleansed and opened with clarity. In the name of Omnipotent God, Saint Martin of Tours, remove all that harms me and give me work and prosperity. O blessed relief, give me your saintly protection, assist me, I beg you, in these difficult times:

[Mention your requests here...]

You, noble Saint Martin, who have miraculous power take my supplications with haste to the Heavens, ask for my home all that is good; may sorrows, ruins and miseries leave, and may the Lord deign I merit blessed fortune in my work, and with it, abundance and prosperity, so I may give freely to all in need.

Saint Martin, blessed Bishop of Tours, may your virtues and charity accompany me always. I will not cease to pray to you and to thank Almighty God for all the favors granted; and I promise to be charitable and giving with all my brothers and sisters in need.

Saint Martin please intercede for me; free and protect all my loved ones and I from all that is evil. Amen.