Santa Maria Mater Domini, ora pro nobis
|
May 31, 2024
Feast of Santa Maria Mater Domini
May 30, 2024
The Feast of Corpus Christi
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Feast of San Ferdinando III, King of Castile and León
San Ferdinando III, ora pro nobis |
Prayer to St. Ferdinand of Castile
O God, who was pleased that blessed Ferdinand should fight thy battles and overcome the enemies of faith: grant that, protected by his intercession, we may be delivered from the enemies of mind and body. Amen.
Feast of Santa Giovanna d’Arco (St. Joan of Arc)
St. Jeanne d'Arc, ora pro nobis |
In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to St. Joan of Arc. The accompanying photo of Emmanuel Fremiet's equestrian statue of Jeanne d'Arc outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art was taken during a day trip to the "City of Brotherly Love" in 2016. Vive Sainte Jeanne d’Arc!
Prayer to St. Joan of Arc
Maid of Lorraine, mount your horse; draw your sword and call your army. Maid of Orleans, unfurl your banner, sound the charge, and ride to rescue me! Lift the siege on my heart, lift the siege on my mind, lift the siege on my soul! Maid of my heart, strengthen me. Maid of my mind, set me free. Maid of my soul, make my enemies flee! Fierce, fearless and faithful, St. Joan of Arc, lift the siege, and rescue me!
Sfilata dei Turchi e Festa di San Gerardo La Porta — Parade of the Turks and the Feast of Saint Gerard
Potenza, Basilicata |
May 30th is the Sfilata dei Turchi e Festa di San Gerardo La Porta. The Feast recalls Potenza's desperate defense against Saracen raiders and the miraculous intercession of their beloved patron, San Gerardo La Porta. Mooring their galleys on the Basento riverbank, a band of corsairs made their way towards the unsuspecting townspeople of Potenza. Tradition has it that if not for the timely appearance of San Gerardo, flanked by angels, the town would have suffered the usual horrific fate met by so many other unfortunate victims of Moslem piracy across the Southern Italian seaboard—death or slavery. The sight of the celestial host before them caused panic among the marauding infidels, allowing the city's defense to organize and drive them off.
The Saint's intercession is celebrated with a magnificent parade called Sfilata dei Turchi or The Procession of the Turks. Dressed in picturesque costumes, Christian knights on horseback and Turkish pirates, including the Grand Vizier on a horse drawn carriage, complete with replica slave ships, march along the parade route with great fanfare. Children dressed in white (representing angels) and the effigy of San Gerardo La Porta follow them, to the crowd’s delight. After the parade the celebrants are treated to jousting competitions and horse races. San Gerardo’s Liturgical feast day is celebrated on October 30th.
In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer. San Gerardo La Porta, ora pro nobis.
Prayer to San Gerardo La Porta
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of San Gerardo La Porta may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of San Gerardo protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May 29, 2024
Feast of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi
Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi, ora pro nobis |
Feast of Saints Cuono and Conello
San Cuono e Conello, orate pro nobis |
Novena and Consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
May 28, 2024
Meridiunalata: “Ncuorp’’o Caudo D’’A Notte” by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia
Reprinted from Cav. Charles Sant'Elia's Meridiunalata / Southernade, an evocative bilingual collection of poetry written in Neapolitan and translated to English between 1989 and 2010.*Ncuorp’’o Caudo D’’A Notte
Ncuorp’’o caudo d’’a notte
Se ne traseva ‘o friddo
‘E sta luna nova.
Niente s’è smuóppeto.
‘O graro de l’autare
Nce aspettava,
Nu puojo sulagno
Mmiez’’e parole
Ca sagliéveno a cefrone
Addò ghiéveno jéveno.
Ammarrávemo ‘e feneste
Int’’o sbacante,
Ogne lagnanza d’ammore
Scordata e passata
Se steva zitta.
Era ‘o tiempo d’’e canzone nove,
‘O dimane c’’a’ fine
Era venuta mbracci’a nuje.
Inside The Warmth of the Night
Inside the warmth of the night
The cold of this new moon
Was entering.
Nothing moved.
The step of the altar
Was awaiting us,
A solitary ledge
Between the words
That were rising up like chevrons
Wherever they went.
We shuttered the windows
In the void,
Every complaint of love
Forgotten and passed
It was quiet.
It was the time of new songs,
The tomorrow that in the end
Had come into our arms.
* 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.
May 27, 2024
A Look at the Sixteenth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration in New York City
Battle of Bitonto (c.1750) by Giovanni Luigi Rocco |
Hosted by Brooklyn's exclusive Salone di Partenope, guests were treated to a convivial dinner, recordings of Neapolitan cantatas (Scarlatti, Porpora, etc.), and stimulating conversation on a variety of topics, including religion, history, art, current affairs, and the selection of dramatic charcoal drawings on display from David DiPasquale’s thought-provoking Liber Mysteria.
As is our custom, we honored the fallen on both sides of the conflict and celebrated the feasts of San Gregorio VII and the Madonna delle Milizie.
Original charcoal landscape drawing from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria |
Original charcoal landscape drawing from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria |
Original charcoal landscape drawing from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria |
Original charcoal landscape drawing from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria |
Original charcoal landscape drawing from David DiPasquale's Liber Mysteria |
(L) Carlo di Borbone (c. 1761) by Anton Raphael Mengs. (R) The more daring among us attempted to drink some Lacrymma Christi from a Spanish porrón. |
Antipasto (Taralli, dates, Cerignola and Castelveltrano olives, and sharp provolone and primo sale cheese) |
Antipasto (Olives, caponata and hot Calabrian chili peppers) |
Antipasto (Marinated eggplant, grilled zucchini and roasted peppers) |
Fritto misto Palermitano (Crocchè di patate, arancini and panelle) |
Focaccia Barese |
Peperoni ripieni al forno |
Manicotti |
Babà Napoletano |
May 26, 2024
Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory Figurines at E. Rossi & Co. in Little Italy, New York
I recently stopped by E. Rossi & Co. (193 Grand St.) in New York City’s historic Little Italy and spotted these antique terracotta Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory figurines. Disappointed, they weren’t for sale, it was still really neat to get to see and hold them. Currently undergoing a Renaissance, the old gift shop is constantly uncovering great finds in its brimming storehouses. It is a must-see when visiting Little Italy.
Feast of the Most Holy Trinity
The Most Holy Trinity |
Feast of the Madonna dei Miracoli
Madonna dei Miracoli, ora pro nobis |
Feast of San Filippo Neri
San Filippo Neri, ora pro nobis |
May 25, 2024
Feast of the Madonna delle Milizie di Scicli
Madonna delle Milizie di Scicli, ora pro nobis |
O Mary, powerful Virgin, you are the mighty and glorious Protector of the Church. You are the Marvelous Help of Christians. You are Terrible as an Army set in Battle Array. You alone have destroyed every heresy in the entire Church. In the midst of my anguish, my struggles and my distress, defend me from the power of the enemy, and at the hour of my death, receive my soul into Paradise. Amen.
Feast of San Gregorio VII
San Gregorio VII, ora pro nobis |
Deus, in te sperántium fortitúdo, qui beátum Gregórium, Confessórem tuum atque Pontificem, pro tuénda Ecclésiæ libertáte, virtúte constántiæ roborásti: da nobis, ejus exémplo et intercessióne, ómnia adversántia fórtiter superáre. Per Dóminum.
May 25th is the Feast of San Gregorio VII (born Ildebrando di Sovana), Pope and Confessor. Ascending the papal throne on April 22, 1073, Pope Gregorio initiated many important Church reforms known as the Gregorian Reform, including clerical celibacy and the rooting out and destruction of the abuse of simony, the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges.
Repeatedly clashing with King Henry IV (later Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) over the right to install bishops and abbots, or the investiture controversy, Pope Gregorio excommunicated the German monarch on three separate occasions.
Wax effigy and relics of Pope San Gregorio VII |
In 1077 Gregorio famously made the penitent king prostate himself for three days in the cold outside the gates of Cannosa before giving him an audience. A short-lived reconciliation, after obtaining the Holy Father's forgiveness Henry continued to appoint bishops and was excommunicated again.
Entering Rome with his troops in 1084, Henry forced Gregorio to lock himself inside Castel Sant’Angelo and installed the antipope Clement III (Archbishop Guilbert of Ravenna).
Soon liberated by Roberto Guiscardo, Duke of Apulia, the wanton excesses of the Duke’s soldiery incensed the people of Rome and forced Gregorio and his Norman allies to withdraw south to Salerno.
(L-R) Statues of Duchess Sigelgaita, Duke Roberto d'Altavilla, St. Alfano I of Salerno, and Prince Gisulf of Salerno flank the wax effigy |
San Gregorio died in the Principality of Salerno on May 25, 1085. Interred in the Basilica Cattedrale SS. Matteo e Gregorio, which he consecrated a year earlier, his dying words, “Dilexi iustitiam, odivi iniquitatem, propterea morior in esilio" (I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile) are imprinted on the reliquary.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer in Latin and English. The accompanying photos of the statues and wax effigy at the cathedral in Salerno comes courtesy of Andrew Giordano. Evviva San Gregorio VII!
Prayer
O God, the strength of them that trust in Thee, Who didst fortify blessed Gregory. Thy Confessor and Pontiff, with the virtue of constancy, for the defense of the liberty of the Church, grant us by his example and intercession courageously to overcome all adversities. Through our Lord.
May 24, 2024
Feast of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice
Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, ora pro nobis |
Prayer to Our Lady, Help of Christians
Most holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church’s history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His Good News of God’s love for all people, and to work for peace and justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces of which we stand in need. (Mention your intentions.) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and our loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven. Amen.
Feast of Blessed Mario Vergara
Beato Mario Vergara, ora pro nobis |
Prayer for the Blessed Martyrs Mario and Isidore
We humbly beseech the mercy of your majesty, almighty and merciful God, that, as you have poured the knowledge of your Only Begotten Son into the hearts of the peoples by the preaching of the blessed Martyrs Mario and Isidore, so, through their intercession, we may be made steadfast in the faith. 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.
May 23, 2024
Feast of Sant’Eframo di Napoli
Sant'Eframo Vescovo, ora pro nobis |
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Euphebius. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta in Napoli. Evviva Sant'Eframo!
Prayer to St. Euphebius
O Glorious St. Euphebius, you served God in humility and confidence on earth, now you enjoy His beatific vision in Heaven. Help me to strengthen my faith and protect me in conflict. Obtain for me the grace to live a holy life, so that one day I may join you in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen
Feast of Beata Maria Crocifissa del Divino Amore
Beata Maria Gargani, ora pro nobis |
Preghiera
Signore Gesù ascolta con bontà la nostra preghiera che implora grazia per intercessione della tua serva Beata Maria Gargani. Ella si è consumata costantemente nell’orazione e nel servizio ai fratelli più umili in luoghi anche disagiati. Se è nei tuoi disegni glorificala. Fa’ che sperimentiamo l’efficacia della sua intercessione affinché animati dal suo esempio possiamo servirti con spirito di fede e di amore. Amen
May 22, 2024
Feast of Santa Rita da Cascia
Santa Rita da Cascia, ora pro nobis |