28 aprile 2024, IV Domenica dopo Pasqua: S. Messa cantata nel Santuario di San Gaetano, ore 11.30

www.messatridentinanapoli.com

Feast of the Madonna Incoronata

Madonna Incoronata, ora pro nobis

The last Saturday of April is the Feast of the Madonna Incoronata (Our Lady Crowned), an ancient tradition dating back to the beginning of the 11th Century A.D. In celebration, I'm posting Praise to the Queen of Heaven (Salvi Rigina), a traditional Marian prayer from Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated by Peppino Ruggeri.(1) The accompanying photo was taken at St. Rocco's Church in Glen Cove, New York.

According to tradition, the Count of Ariano got lost while hunting in the forest near the River Cervaro in Foggia, Puglia. He took refuge in a nearby cottage when the woods turned unusually dark. At dawn the Count noticed a bright light shining through the trees. Drawn to the mysterious radiance, the Madonna appeared before him wearing a magnificent crown and levitating above a large oak tree. She revealed a statue of the Black Madonna perched in the branches. Awestricken, the Count promised to build a chapel to house her miraculous image.

Soon after, a shepherd named Strazzacappa, who was grazing his oxen close by, was also drawn to the light. Immediately recognizing the vision as the Blessed Mother, the humble herdsman set up a makeshift votive lamp with his caldarella in her honor beneath the tree. It is said that the oil was not consumed by the flame.

The Count fulfilled his vow and news of the miracle spread far and wide. The shrine quickly became a popular destination for devotees and those making the pilgrimage to the nearby Sanctuary of the Archangel Michael at Monte Sant'Angelo in the Gargano peninsula. Today, after several renovations, the Basilica Santuario Madre di Dio Incoronata is a major religious center visited by thousands annually. The Black Madonna and a branch from the oak are still on display. Ave Maria.

Praise to the Queen of Heaven

Hail to you Mary, Mother of Mercy
Life, sweetness, and spring of joy
In you we trust when in trouble or pain
To you we come when we are in tears
In affliction your comfort we obtain.

Hear our pleas, our sweet defender
Virgin Mother with all sorrow laden
To our God you prayers direct
Because our actions have no effect
The door of paradise open to all
When death for comes to call. Amen. 

(1) Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated into English by Peppino Ruggeri, Legas 2009, p.139

Feast of the Madonna di Monserrato

Madonna di Monserrato, ora pro nobis

April 27th is the Feast of the Madonna di Monserrato, Patroness of Catalonia, Spain and Vallelonga in Provincia di Vibo Valentia in Calabria. According to tradition, the miraculous wooden statue of Our Lady was carved in the 1st century by St. Luke and brought to Catalonia from Jerusalem by St. Etereo, disciple of St. James and first Bishop of Barcelona.

In the 8th century, the statue was hidden in a grotto atop Mount Montserrat in order to protect it from being desecrated by the invading Umayyad infidels who were laying waste to the Visigoth Kingdom of Hispania. 

Lost over time, the secret location was eventually discovered in 880 AD by shepherd boys tending their flock. Reporting strange lights and Seraphic music emanating from the mountain to the Bishop of nearby Manresa, they uncovered the small statue in a cave. Unable to remove it from Montserrat, a Benedictine sanctuary was built on the mountain to enshrine the statue in accordance to Our Lady's wishes.

Devastated during the Napoleonic Peninsular War (1807-1814), restoration of the monastery began in 1844. Damaged again during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), many of the monks were executed by the Republicans. Anticipating these savage attacks, the sacred image was hidden before the murderous swine could destroy it. Returned to the chapel, the Basilica was restored and monastic life returned, keeping the holy mountain a major destination for pilgrims today. 

A prayer card with a photograph
of the Madonna dl Monserrato
statue in Craco Vecchio

Naturally, the devotion to La Moreneta, the Dark Little One, as she is affectionately called by the Catalans, spread with Spanish expansion and found its way to Southern Italy. For example, in the hilltop town of Craco Vecchio in Basilicata there is a private 16th century chapel and cemetery dedicated to the Madonna di Monserrato. The Crachesi in turn brought their devotion with them to America and at the beginning of the 20th century helped restore the old chapel by sending donations back to the old country. Her feast is celebrated in Craco on the third Sunday in September. 

In Vallelonga, the Feast of the Madonna di Monserrato is also celebrated on the second Sunday in July. While the town's devotion to her can be traced back to at least the 1550s, the commemoration has existed since 1783 when Our Lady miraculously saved the townspeople from a violent earthquake. 

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Our Lady of Montserrat. The accompanying photo of La Moreneta was taken at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola (980 Park Avenue) in New York City. The image of the prayer card comes courtesy of the Craco Society. Evviva Maria!

Prayer to Our Lady of Montserrat

My Lord Jesus Christ, who has been pleased to give into the hands of Thine Immaculate Mother Mary distribution of the graces merited for us by thy Life, Death and Resurrection; and Who hast answered the recommendations of Her Loving Heart by favors granted to numberless saints and sinners at Her Shrine of Montserrat; listen, I beseech Thee to her pleadings on my behalf: And do Thou, O Mother of Jesus – Mine also – present my plea before His Throne for all the graces that I need, but especially for the favor I now implore... [Mention your intentions here...] May His glory and the renown of Thy intercession be everywhere known and extolled. Amen.

Feast of Santa Zita

Santa Zita, ora pro nobis

St. Zita, pray for us that we will patiently accept the daily chores Almighty God asks of us and that we will give generously of our time to the poor.

April 27 is the Feast of Santa Zita (1212-1272), Virgin. She is the patron saint of domestic workers, bakers and housewives. According to tradition, Zita was a humble and pious maidservant who, at the age of twelve, was sent to work for a wealthy family in the Serene Republic of Lucca. One day, losing track of time while in prayer at church, she returned late to her master’s kitchen and found the bread she was supposed to bake already made. Thanking her fellow servants for their assistance, they each told her they had not done so and that it was the angels who had baked the loaves for her. 

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Zita. The pictured prayer card was a gift from a friend. Evviva Santa Zita!

Prayer to St. Zita

 

Almighty and glorious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we ask that through the intercession of your servant, St. Zita, we may grow in grace and virtue as she did. By her steadfast prayers may we find a renewed love for the poor and heartfelt compassion towards those less fortunate than ourselves. By her example of hard work done with great joy and diligence, may we learn how to serve you through earnest fidelity to our state in life and a spirit ready to embrace your will for us in our daily duties. Amen.

L'Associazione di Rievocazione Storica 1° Reggimento Re

 In San Tammaro CE

Feast of Santi Cleto e Marcellino

Santi Cleto e Marcellino, orate pro nobis

Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde: et per beátos Cletum et Marcellinum Mártyres tuos atque Summos Pontifices perpétua protectióne custódi; quos totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastóres. Per Dóminum.

April 26th is the Feast of St. Cletus (Anacletus), Third Bishop of Rome, after Peter and Linus from 79-90; and Pope St. Marcellinus, who was elected on June 30, 296 and martyred in 304 during the persecution of Diocletian.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to Saints Cletus and Marcellinus in Latin and English.  The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The polychrome wood sculpture of San Cleto is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious statuary and relics. Evviva Santi Cleto e Marcellino, Papi e Martiri!

Prayer to Saints Cletus and Marcellinus

O Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favorably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the blessed Cletus and Marcellinus Thy Martyrs and Supreme Pontiffs, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherds of the whole Church. Through our Lord.

Feast of St. Monica at St. Augustine Church in Ossining, New York

Feast of San Marco Evangelista

San Marco Evangelista, ora pro nobis

April 25th is the Feast of San Marco Evangelista (St. Mark the evangelist), patron saint of notaries. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal protector of San Marco Evangelista (CE), San Marco Argentano (CS), Futani (SA), San Marco in Lamis (FG), Rionero in Vulture (PZ), and Pacentro (AQ), among others. In celebration, I'm posting a prayer in honor of Saint Mark. The accompanying photo of San Marco was taken at the Basilica Santa Trofimena in Minori. Evviva San Marco Evangelista!

Prayer to Saint Mark

O Glorious St. Mark, through the grace of God our Father, you became a great Evangelist, preaching the Good News of Christ. May you help us to know Him well so that we may faithfully live our lives as followers of Christ. Amen.

Feast of the Madonna delle Armi

The interior of the Sanctuary

April 25th is the Feast of the Madonna delle Armi,* patroness of Cerchiara di Calabria, an ancient town in the province of Cosenza, in northeastern Calabria. The accompanying photos were taken at the Santuario Santa Maria dell Armi on the slopes of Mount Sellaro above Cerchiara. Built in the fifteenth century over the ruins of the Byzantine era monastery of S. Andrea, the sanctuary houses a sacred stone depicting the Blessed Mother and Child.

According to tradition, in 1450 a group of hunters from nearby Rossano were tracking a stag through the oak woods of Mount Sellaro. As they closed in on their prey the animal ascended the rocky ridge and squeezed into a small cave in the side of the mountain. The huntsmen followed the deer into the crevice, but to their surprise the animal was nowhere to be found; instead they discovered a set of wooden tablets depicting the Holy Evangelists. Excited about their discovery the hunters decided to take the icons back to Rossano. 

Stone with the Madonna and Child

The next day, however, the icons were missing. The men returned to the cave and were surprised to find the tablets exactly where they first discovered them. Three times the Rossanesi tried to bring the tablets back to town, but each time they would miraculously translate back to the cave. Finally, they decided to build a chapel outside the grotto to protect the icons and allow pilgrims to visit them.

During construction of the sanctuary an oval stone unsuited for the structure kept finding its way into the hands of a mason. Fed up with the troublesome stone the mason struck it with his mallet, splitting it perfectly in two. Incredibly, one side revealed the image of the Blessed Mother and Child, the other Saint John the Baptist. Sadly, the half with St. John is missing (some believe it was smuggled to Malta). In 1750 the Duke of Monteleone had an ornate silver reliquary made to properly display the sacred stone.

Over the centuries, many miracles have been attributed to the relic. The most famous taking place on April 25, 1846 when the desperate townspeople of Cerchiara invoked the Virgin Mary to help save their failing crops from the oppressive heat. Our Lady of the Cave immediately answered their prayers, saving the harvest and preventing a famine. Ever grateful, the locals celebrate the Blessed Mother's intervention to this day with a spectacular festival in her honor. 

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to the Madonna dell armi in Italian. The prayer comes courtesy of the Santuario Madonna delle Armi.

Preghiera alla Madonna delle armi 

Vergine  purissima, fiore di consolazione, luce del meriggio adorna di tutte le gemme, ci insegni l’umiltà del  cuore. Davanti alla Tua immagine impressa su una pietra da mano non umana, per secoli venerata, fedeli devoti, ti invochiamo. Madre  del silenzio, ci parli di speranza. Tu, nell’ombra dell’Altissimo, hai detto il tuo eccomi e sei  redentrice insieme al Tuo Figlio Gesù, sole di giustizia giudizio per il mondo. Madre della Chiesa, in tua compagnia, rimaniamo nell’amore anche sotto la croce, quando tutto è perduto. Madre dei peccatori, ci richiami nel tuo abbraccio se andiamo per sentieri traversi smarriti dalle tenebre del dubbio e ci attendi, maestra della pazienza. Tu, Vergine dell’attesa, riempi i nostri giorni dell’opera dello Spirito Santo. Egli, con il Padre e il Figlio, ci genera come fratelli ci nutre di vita eterna ci sostiene nell’attesa del Signore quando verrà nella gloria per attirarci alla vita eterna. Amen

Notes: 

* Armi is said to be a corruption of the original Greek name for the grotto, Των αρμων or Tōn armōn.

The Greater Rogations

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

April 25th is the Greater Rogations, or Litania Major (Major Litanies), a day observed with fasting, abstinence, public prayer and solemn processions. The processions were called litania because participants traditionally recited various litanies while wending their way around the parish. However, in 1601 Pope Clement VIII suppressed the public use of numerous invocations and the Litany of the Saints became the norm. Rogation is simply the English form of the Latin rogatio, which comes from the verb rogare, which means “to ask.”

Though it shares the day with the Feast of San Marco Evangelista the two commemorations are not directly connected. An ancient tradition dating back to pagan times, the custom, like Ember Days, supplanted an old Roman festival (in this case the Robigalia) with a sanctified Christian observance. It was revitalized in the 6th century by St. Pope Gregory the Great to invoke God’s mercy and ask for a bountiful harvest.

The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday are the Lesser Rogation Days, or Litania Minor (Minor Litanies). First introduced in Gaul in the 5th century by St. Mamertus of Vienne to appease Our Lord and protect against natural disasters such as fire, earthquakes and blight, the three days in time became universal and helped prepare the faithful for the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Similarly, they are kept with fasting, processions and prayer.

In celebration, I’m posting the anthem and prayer for Rogation Days from Blessed Be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book by Very Rev. Charles J. Callan, OP., S.T.M. and Very Rev. John A. McHugh, OP., S.T.M (Preserving Christian Publications, 2010). The accompanying photo of painted ceramic tiles depicting a procession was taken in Vietri Sul Mare, Salerno.

Prayer for Rogation Days

Ant. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; for every one that sketch receiveth and he he that seekers finders, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

V. He heard my voice from His holy temple.

R. And my cry before Him came into His ears.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who in our affliction confide in Thy loving kindness, may be ever defended by Thy protection against all adversity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Infant Jesus of Prague Chaplet

O Infant Jesus, Whose truth enlightens the
darkness of our heart, have mercy on us

On the 25th of every month, devotees of the Divine Infancy should pray the Chaplet of the Infant Jesus of Prague, which includes three Our Fathers and twelve Hail Marys in celebration of the Holy Family and the first twelve years of Our Lord’s childhood. The Chaplet was composed by Venerable Sister Marguerite Parigot of the Blessed Sacrament (March 6, 1590—May 24, 1660), a Discalced Carmelite nun with a strong devotion to the Christ Child. Pleased with the devotion, Our Lord revealed Himself to Sister Marguerite and promised special graces to all who piously recite the Chaplet. In 1855 Pope Pius IX granted an Indulgence of 300 days, applicable to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, for its devout recitation.* 

In celebration, I’m posting the Infant Jesus of Prague Chaplet. The accompanying photo was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Infant Jesus of Prague Chaplet

Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Thy Cross and I accept all the crosses Thou wilt be pleased to send me. Adorable Trinity, I offer Thee for the glory of Thy Holy Name of God, all the adorations of the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus.

(3x) “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” and pray The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)

(12x) “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” and pray The Angelical Salutation (Hail Mary)

Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us. Amen.

* www.sistersofcarmel.com

Marian Hymnfest at Holy Innocents Church in NYC

Domenico Cimarosa: Overtures Arranged for Mandolin Ensemble

New music that may be of interest to our readers.

• Domenico Cimarosa: Overtures Arranged for Mandolin Ensemble performed by Quintetto a Plettro "Giuseppe Anedda"

Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Audio CD: $13.99
Number of Discs: 1

Available at Amazon.com

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New Book: I Borbone delle Due Sicilie e San Giorgio

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

• I Borbone delle Due Sicilie e San Giorgio di Alessio Varisco

Publisher: Edizioni Effigi | Domus Templi

Publication Date: 2020

Paperback: €25.00

Language: Italian

Pages: 336

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Differentiated Autonomy Spoken About at Montecitorio

Fiore Marro and Pino Aprile at the
Differentiated Autonomy Conference

Pino Aprile’s Praiseworthy and Efficacious Intervention

By Fiore Marro, President of the Comitati Due Sicilie

Translated by Charles Sant’Elia

Thanks to the invitation of the honorable Alessandro Caramiello, upon suggestion of the Comitati Due Sicilie representative in Giugliano, Campania, Espedito Basile, I was present at the meeting on differentiated autonomy which took place on 9 April 2024 in the Sala della Regina in the Montecitorio Palace [1]; the symposium was convened and organized by the honorable Caramiello himself, always attentive to the dialogue between the institutions and the territory.

It was nice to embrace again Luca Pepe the once very young meridionalista who is today a first rate journalist, who wisely moderated the conference.

The topic for in-depth analysis, differentiated autonomy, a central question in current internal politics in the nation but even more so for the future it would design for Italians should it be approved by Parliament, was detailed according to the views of profound and diverse observers.

Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies honorable Sergio Costa introduced the work, underscoring how much the system of differentiated autonomy regards the grasp itself of the Italian Republic. He further explained that there already exists an inequality between north and south, as far as for a citizen of the north the state spends 17,621 €, while for a citizen of the south 13,613 € on an annual basis, thus there is a difference in spending of about 80 billion. If the law on differentiated autonomy were approved now, these 80 billion euros would be added to the 190 billion euros which would be subtracted from the South. It is evident that it would no longer be possible to assure any type of basic service in the southern regions and thus taxes would need to be raised, but raising taxes would diminish the spending capacity of southern citizens and gradually would generate that vicious cycle that would lead to the emigration of southerners to the north, impoverishing the South of every resource, including humans.

Unfurling the flag of the Kingdom of the
Two Sicilies inside Montecitorio 

The Vice President of the Chamber, formerly minister for the environment, quipped in his concluding remarks with a rather specific question: why did one want the unification of Italy if now one is doing everything to divide it? The response in our humble opinion is simple: back then one wanted Italy in order to drain the coffers of the flourishing Two Sicilies in favor of the Savoys, today one divides it because one has scraped the bottom and there is nothing left to pick clean in the South.

Subsequently honorable Caramiello took the floor, explaining he was the president of the parliamentary intergroup South Development, vulnerable areas and minor islands, which is organizing a series of events to compose and represent the south of Italy. This group is represented by 53 members of parliament of all political currents which work on common topics. Unfortunately however, today’s topic is not considered a common one, but a divisive one. The Lega Nord, in its inception, affirmed that if they didn’t reach secession they would become Romans and they are achieving that, in fact if the reform of the bill, already passed in the Senate, passes in the Chamber as well, it will be over for the South. Nonetheless there is no will for a dialogue because now that the hearings took place, when Professor Chieffi who took apart the law on autonomy line by line was heard, he received no response from Calderoli, but rather received the usual insults of the type “the Neapolitan who cries and *****”.

The presentations of the constitutional experts were touching for those who love the Italian Constitution, there was a barrage on the part of the speakers against this bill which ever more resembles an assault, they rattled off topics and quibbles, which appear can block from the start this wholly Padanian idea of turning upside down the Italian political system; the problem remains, in our humble opinion, that while here one studies the illness, the patient dies, also because those who presented this bill hold the majority in Parliament and thus can calmly proceed with their own destructionist attempt.

The one who for a time lapse, gave strength again to southern hopes on the other hand, was our dear Pino Aprile, who, in the guise of a reborn Beneventano del Bosco, loudly and with all his soul harangued a harsh criticism against those who brought forth this infamy. Important for the undersigned, was the moment in which the identitarian writer held forth the idea that the South, could indeed benefit from a potential division of the Italic territory, perhaps not immediately, but in the span of a few years.

The South of Italy was decided upon manu militari, but only for a mere question of economics and finance, and above all so as to demolish the Bourbon customs duties, paradoxically this idea of regional differentiated autonomy in our humble opinion could be a sort of return to the past, by reproposing with specific laws a sort of regional customs duty, as far as concerns the revenue of certain products of exclusive Padanian production. The solution is at hand, posterity shall judge.

Notes

[1] Montecitorio, the palace in Rome housing the Italian Chamber of Deputies, designed by Bernini and Fontana and originally built in the 17th century for Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, and which formerly housed the Papal law courts and city administration during the time of the Papal States. After the annexation of Rome and transfer of the capital of Italy in 1870 it was seized and used as the Chamber of Deputies.

Feast of San Giorgio Martire

San Giorgio Martire, ora pro nobis

April 23rd is the Feast of San Giorgio Martire (St. George the Martyr), patron saint of valor, chivalry and soldiers. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, San Giorgio is the principal protector of Reggio Calabria (RC), Modica (RG), Ragusa (RG), Prizzi (PA) and Barano d'Ischia (NA), among others. As a devotee and Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, the feast has an additional special significance to me. In celebration of the great warrior saint, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint George. The accompanying photo of the statue of San Giorgio, protector of Testaccio in Barano d'Ischia, was taken at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary and Saint Stephen's Church in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Evviva San Giorgio!

Prayer to Saint George

Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end. Amen

A Sneak Peek Inside New York City’s Forthcoming Italian American Emporium

Entrance to the Italian American Emporium on Mulberry Street

Commissioned to do a few paintings, we were given a tour and walkthrough of the highly anticipated Italian American Emporium located in Manhattan’s historic Little Italy, on the corner of Grand and Mulberry Streets. Boasting “everything you need to be Italian,” the store will offer, among other things, a custom t-shirt bar, library, kitchenware and a wide range of imports from all over Southern Italy. Perhaps the most intriguing and ambitious aspect of the store will be its "oral history booth," where loquacious contributors can walk in and record their personal and family stories for posterity. The location will also house Red Sauce Studio, the swanky new state-of-the-art home of the widely popular Growing Up Italian and Italian American podcasts. Sharing the building with the Italian American Museum, this will assuredly be the hub of Italian Americana in New York City.

Looking forward to the soft opening in late May or early June, we wish our dear friend John and his partners much love and success in this exciting new venture.

Entrance to Red Sauce Studio on Grand Street

(L) Neon corner sign. (R) Antique cash register (just for show)

A side view of the ornate register

Owner, John Viola gave us a tour of the impressive facilities

The t-shirt bar

Sicilian carrettu themed display table

This uninstalled chandelier will be decorated with
Neapolitan cornetti and mano fico amulets

Ornate porcelain chandelier 

An old-fashion chandelier

(L) The AI interactive "oral history booth."
(R) Purely decorative antique cigarette machine

A look at the brands of cigarettes the machine once dispensed

An antique oven dominates the kitchenware section

John's old dining room table now serves as a display table

The register counter

Sabino, John and Rocco getting comfortable in their new home

Leather booth in Red Sauce Studio

Floor mat outside the studio

Floor mat beneath the t-shirt bar

Photo of the Week: Asteas Krater, Mid-Fourth Century B.C., Archaelogical Museum of Paestum

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Natale di Roma

The Palatine Hill (Photo by New York Scugnizzo)

April 21st is the anniversary of the legendary founding of the Eternal City on the Palatine Hill by Romulus in 753 B.C. Auguri Roma!

Feast of Sant’Anselmo d’Aosta

Sant'Anselmo d'Aosta, ora pro nobis

April 21st is the Feast of Sant’Anselmo d’Aosta (or St. Anselm of Canterbury), Mystic, Benedictine monk, scholastic philosopher, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Doctor of the Church. In celebration I’m posting a prayer by St. Anselm. The accompanying photo was taken at the Church of St. Anselm in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Evviva Sant'Anselmo d'Aosta!

Prayer by St. Anselm

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen

Observing the 101st Annual National Coin Week

Sitting on these rolls for awhile now, I finally started going through them

Every April, numismatists across these United States observe National Coin Week. This year, we coin enthusiasts celebrate from April 21st to 27th.

Just the other day, while sifting through rolls of 1940s pennies I found a silver 25 öre coin from Sweden. Dated 1897, the obverse has the crowned monogram of King Oscar II surrounded by the three crowns of Sweden and the Royal Family’s motto “BRÖDRAFOLKENS VÄL” (the welfare of the brother peoples). Smooth edged, the reverse has the value (25 öre) within a laurel wreath with the date below. Not in great condition, someone punched a hole through it to make a pendant out of it.

The obverse

The reverse