Meridiunalata: East Village 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.*

East Village

Freva ‘e nejone ‘e nuttate,
Schizzarielle ‘e sciate
Ncopp’’e vetrate,
E finalemente doppo miezujuorno
Na passejata cu te.

Schiara e schiara
Schiocca ‘a luce e sponta ‘a veretà-
Babbelonia, Bonosário,
Chi sape, che mporta?
Ajere muorto, ogge nascenno, craje nun nato,
È ‘o stesso.

Sunnatore, sunnámbulo, o sunnato,
Nun me ntrico quanno te veco.

East Village

Neon fever the nights,
Little droplets the breaths
On glass,
And finally after noon
A walk with you.

The light
Clears and clears
Bursts and the truth sprouts-
Babylon, Buenos Aires,
Who knows, what does it matter?
Yesterday dead, today birthing, tomorrow not born,
It is the same.

Dreamer, sleepwalker, or dreamt one,
I don’t delay when I see you.

* 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.

New Book — St. Agatha of Sicily Biography

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

• St. Agatha of Sicily Biography: Her life from beginning to the end and Catholic Novena prayers with scriptures by Alaric Stonewall

Publisher: Independently published
Publication Date: February 14, 2025
Paperwork: $12.99
Language: English
Pages: 76

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Birth of the Tercio de Nápoles

“The ink that dyes my pen is not soaked in the blue of literary chimeras, but is red like the blood of the soldiers of the ‘tercios’ of the kings of Naples, in which my Neapolitan ancestors, sons of Italian land, established the truth absorbing us with the perfect grace of the whirling flash of their imperial swords.” ~ Francisco de Tejada [1]

Today, we commemorate the formation of the Tercio de Nápoles, the Old Third of Naples. February 27, 1537, marks the traditional birth date of this elite fighting force. Dios, Patria, Fueros y Rey. [2]

Notes

[1] Translated from La monarchia tradizionale, Francisco Elías de Tejada, Controcorrente Edizioni, 2001, p. 16. The original reads: “L’inchiostro che tinge la mia penna non è intriso nell’azzurro delle chimere letterarie, ma è rosso come il sangue dei soldati dei 'tercios' dei re di Napoli, in cui i miei antenati napoletani, figli di terra italiana, stabilirono la verità che ci assorbe colla grazia perfetta del roteante balenio delle loro spade imperiali.”

[2] Carlist motto, which means "God, Country, Privileges and King"

A Short Story for “National Tell a Fairy Tale Day”

Lucifer (1890) by Franz von Stuck

     It is ‘o munaciello who turns the house topsy turvy, puts the furniture in disarray, disturbs the heart, confuses the mind and fills it with fear. It is he, the tormented and tormenting spirit who brings chaos in his black habit, ruin in his black hood. It is ‘o Munaciello. ~ Matilde Serao, Neapolitan Legends (1881)

     While out having a coffee with a friend the other night, she had trouble finding her glasses in her pocketbook. Poking fun at her cluttered bag, I playfully suggested that the Munaciello had hidden them from her. An older gentleman sitting alone at the table beside us overheard our conversation and butted in: “What do you know of the Munaciello?”

     “He’s a mischievous house spirit—an imp,” I said, “the ghost of a young water carrier (pozzaro).”

      “The Munaciello is more than a prankster,” the old man said sternly, “and he’s real. This is no joking matter.”

     I nodded, hoping he would elaborate.

     Downing the rest of his espresso, he continued: “When I was a young boy, the Munaciello visited me in my family's garden.”

     “Where was this?” I interrupted.

     “Teggiano, provincia di Salerno.”

     “Sorry, please continue.”

The Dead Travel Fast (1839) by Émile Jean Horace Vernet

     “One evening, while digging up a few potatoes for dinner, it got unusually dark, and a ghostly figure dressed in a black habit and riding a black steed appeared out of nowhere and made a bloodcurdling neigh. Frozen with fright, I helplessly watched as the demon tromped on our vegetables, destroying everything around me. Suddenly, he disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.”

     “What did you do next?” I asked.

     “I ran home to tell my father what had happened. Armed with a spade, he returned with me and was shocked by the destruction.”

     “Did your father believe you?”

     “Of course,” he said, displeased with my question.

     “I always pictured the little devil to be a small, misshapen hunchback, reminiscent of John Henry Fuselli's The Nightmare." He was unfamiliar with the reference.

The Nightmare (1781) by John Henry Fuselli

     Recounting a story told to me by another man who was tripped and injured by the fiend on a mountain trail in Sanza, the old man listened intently. According to the victim, "The sallow-face brute wore a black hat and sat on a rock, grinning from ear to ear at his misfortune."

     “No,” said the gentleman. “Dressed all in black, he was imposing, with gleaming eyes and pale skin. His horse was dark as night.” Pausing for a moment, “I’ll never forget those terrible eyes, they pierced my soul.”

     I can't explain the discrepancy in appearances, but his harrowing description of the spirit reminded me more of Émile Jean Horace Vernet’s The Dead Travel Fast or Franz von Stuck’s Lucifer.

     Wishing us a good night, he put on his red cap; we thanked him for his story, and he left.

     My friend found her glasses, and we continued with our date. After finishing our coffee, we learned that the talkative old gentleman had given us more than a story; he also paid for our drinks. Turning to my friend, "It would seem that the legends are true, and the Munaciello gives as much as he takes."

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 25, Feast of Santa Valburga, protectress from witchcraft and evil spirits

Novena to San Tommaso D'Aquino

San Tommaso D'Aquino, ora pro nobis

Pray novena for nine consecutive days, February 26th — March 6th, in preparation for the feast celebrated on March 7th. Evviva San Tommaso D'Aquino!

Saint Thomas Aquinas, patron of students and schools, I thank God for the gifts of light and knowledge God bestowed on you, which you used to build up the church in love. I thank God, too, for the wealth and richness of theological teaching you left in your writings. Not only were you a great teacher, you lived a life of virtue and you made holiness the desire of your heart. If I cannot imitate you in the brilliance of your academic pursuits, I can follow you in the humility and charity that marked your life. As Saint Paul said, charity is the greatest gift, and is open to all. Pray for me that I may grow in holiness and charity. Pray also for Catholic schools and for all students. In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena. (Mention your request). Amen.

* The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Mary's Church (10-08 49th Avenue) in Long Island City, New York. 

Photo of the Week: Entrance to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Happy Birthday Prince Carlo di Borbone!

HRH was born in Saint Raphaël,
France on February 24, 1963 

Happy Birthday Prince Carlo di Borbone – Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George! We pray that your special day be filled with the glory and wonder of God’s abiding love, and may you feel His presence throughout the coming year. Peace be upon you. Tantissimi auguri, Altezza Reale!

In celebration, we’re posting the traditional prayer for the Prince.*

Ant. O Lord, save our Prince, Charles, and hear us on the day we call upon Thee.

Let us pray:

Extend, O Lord, the right hand of Thy heavenly aid to Thy servant Charles, Master of our Order, so that strengthened by Thy protection, he may ever be the just, brave, pious, prudent and untiring ruler of this Sacred Order, drive out the unfaithful, and honor justice, reward merit and punish fault: may he be the defender of the Faith of Thy holy and Catholic Church, to the honor and praise of Thy glorious Name, and after a long and happy life on earth, may, by Thy Will, enjoy eternal beatitude in Heaven. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

* Source: The American Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Papal Zouave International Launched its New 'Fidei et Virtuti' Journal on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

For more information, visit www.papalzouave.com

The First Six Episodes of John Rao's "The Return of History: The Twenty-One Ecumenical Councils" Lecture Series are Available for Free on Soundcloud

The most recent lectures are available for free via Soundcloud.

A Look at the Revival Styles, 1800-1850 Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Queen consort of the French, Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily,
marble, 1841, by Baron François- Joseph Bosio

After viewing the Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last week, we passed through the lavish Italian Baroque Sculpture and Decorative Arts, 1600-1750 Gallery to go see the complementary display of artwork in the Revival Styles, 1800-1850 Gallery. There, we saw an eclectic array of works evoking romantic nostalgia for the artistic achievements of centuries past. The revival styles arose principally in response to the widespread disillusionment caused by internecine warfare, economic hardship, nationalism, socialism, and the Industrial Revolution.

Ferdinando De' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany,
marble, ca. 1680-82, by Giovanni Battista Foggini
(Italian Baroque Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gallery)

Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul, hard-paste biscuit
porcelain, ca. 1800, Dihl & Guérhard Factory, Paris

Napoleon I in his coronation robes, a tapestry of wool, silk, and metal thread; gilded pine frame; woven in the high-warp workshop of Michel Henri Cozette at the Gobelins manufactory by several weavers (1808-11) after a design by François Gerard after a copy of a painting by Gerard (1805)

Brief Excerpt from “Religion, Liberty and Intelligence” by Juan Donoso Cortés

Man is by his nature religious, intelligent, and free. When these three characteristics, which constitute his nature, develop harmoniously, man achieves his highest degree of perfection and felicity. When these three elements do not develop harmoniously in him, a feverish agitation oppresses him and an indefinable and severe pain torments him.

To prove our theory, we invoke the testimony of history. When the element of intelligence in a man dominates the other elements, that man is a philosopher. When the sentiment of liberty inflames him, he is a warrior, and finally, when faith burns in his heart and consumes him, he is a monk.

In vain will one search history for other types of great and sublime characters; there are no others. Man, to be great, to live in posterity, has to be notable in war, religion, or letters. He has to be religious, intelligent, or free: a monk, a philosopher, or a warrior. Let us erase these three categories from the history of the world, and the world, destitute of its heroes, destitute of its philosophers, and destitute of its martyrs, would be left destitute of its glory.

The uniting in a single man of these three sublime characteristics has been realized only once in the world. Only once have the centuries witnessed a man whose voice was the intelligence of the world and the confusion of the wise, the most intelligent among the intelligent. A man who announced with his coming the kingdom of faith, who inflamed with his holy fire tepid hearts, the most religious among religious. There was a man, finally, who, when his mission was accomplished, resigned himself to a voluntary death, the freest of free men. Behold the man completely great, the representative man, the beautiful ideal of the whole of humanity: Ecce homo.

* Reprinted from “Religion, Liberty and Intelligence” El Porvenir, Tuesday, June 13, 1837, in Donoso Cortés: Readings in Political Theory, selected and edited with introduction by R.A. Herrera, Sapientia Press of Ave Maria University, 2007, pp. 15-16

Introduzione alla Messa in Latino

New Book — The Orchestra of the Cappella Reale, Naples, 1750–1800

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

• The Orchestra of the Cappella Reale, Naples, 1750–1800 by Anthony R. DelDonna

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: April 30, 2025
Hardcover: $64.99
Paperwork: $22.00
Language: English
Pages: 75

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Download the Latest Edition of 'Il Portastendardo di Civitella del Tronto'

Click here to download the current issue (N. 44 Febbraio 2025)

Neapolitan Masterpieces in the Italian Baroque Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gallery at the Met

Angel by Giuseppe Sanmartino

While departing the Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Friday evening, we passed through the Italian Baroque Sculpture and Decorative Arts, 1600-1750 Gallery (Gallery 550) and spotted a few masterpieces we hadn’t seen in a while and thought they would be of interest to our readers.

Mourning Virgin and St. John the Evangelist by Giuseppe Gricci

The Mourning Virgin and St. John the Evangelist (ca. 1744) by Florentine sculptor Giuseppe Gricci (ca. 1700-1770), who worked as a chief modeler at the Capodimonte porcelain manufactory in Naples for King Carlo di Borbone (1716-1788).

St. Vincent Ferrer by Giuseppe Sanmartino

The terracotta statue of St. Vincent Ferrer (1750) by Neapolitan sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793).

Angel by Giuseppe Sanmartino

Neapolitan Crèche Angel (second half of 18th century) attributed to Giuseppe Sanmartino with polychromed terracotta head; wooden limbs and wings; body wire wrapped in tow; and textile dress modern replacement.

Other temporary and upcoming exhibits of interest at the Met:

• The Jousting Armor of Philip I of Castile (through April 1, 2026)

• Sargent and Paris (April 27— August 3, 2025)

Photo of the Week: Dante Alighieri Monument

Dante Alighieri by Tito Angelini in Piazza Dante, Napoli 
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog

As we all know, I’ve been looking forward to the Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a long time. If you remember, I jumped the gun and went to the Met last February, thinking the exhibition had already opened. I’ve been so excited about it that I can’t believe I waited a week after the actual opening to go see it.

The Chasseur in the Forest

Located in Gallery 199, there are approximately 75 works on display, covering all phases of the German Romantic’s career, including many landscape studies and his Karlsruhe Sketchbook (1804). For me, it was a great thrill to finally see his A Walk at Dusk (ca. 1830-35), Monk by the Sea (1808-10), and Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (ca. 1817) in person. They certainly lived up to my high expectations.

Seeing them in person, I have a newfound love for his The Chasseur in the Forest (1813-14) and Woman at the Window (1822). Other favorites, such as the Met’s own Two Men Contemplating the Moon (ca. 1825-30), Ernst Ferdinand Oehme's A Portal of a Church (1820s), and Julius von Leypold's Wanderer in the Storm (1835), the latter two being Friedrich's contemporaries, were naturally included in the exhibition.

Too much to take in in just one visit, my friend and I agreed we must return soon and look over the collection at least one more time. Being the first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Friedrich in the United States, and with many of the pieces on loan from more than 30 different lenders, we may never get the opportunity to see many of these important works again.

The exhibition will run through May 11, 2025.

Other temporary and upcoming exhibits of interest at the Met:
• The Jousting Armor of Philip I of Castile (through April 1, 2026)
• Sargent and Paris (April 27— August 3, 2025)

A Walk at Dusk

Monk by the Sea

Two Men Contemplating the Moon

Wanderer in the Storm

I bought a packet of postcards at the gift
shop for my collection and gifts for friends

A Prayer for Villach, Austria

Our Lady of the Bowed Head, ora pro nobis

We offer prayers and sincere condolences for the victims of the deadly knife attack in Villach, Carinthia (AUT), earlier today. May St. Jakob, St. Hemma of Gurk, St. Leopold III, and Our Lady of the Bowed Head protect and watch over you.

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.

Congratulations to the New Knights and Dames of the Royal Order of Francis I and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George

Photo courtesy of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George

Congratulations to the new Knights and Dames of the Royal Order of Francis I and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George invested at the Basilica of St. Edward in Palm Beach, Florida (the gala followed at Club Colette). IHSV

Cav. Arthur Falcone

Cav. Patrick Marino

Cav. L. Robert Pasquesi

Dama Kathryn Vecellio

Cav. Leo Vecellio

Cav. Ralph de la Vega

SMOCSG

Dama Kim Ciccarelli Kantor

Dama Amanda Schumacher

ROFI

A Prayer for Munich

St. Benno of Meißen, ora pro nobis

We offer prayers for the victims of the horrific car attack in Munich, Germany, yesterday afternoon. May St. Benno of Meissen, St. Boniface, and Our Lady of Altötting protect and watch over you.

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.

New Book — Porpora: The Forgotten Genius of Baroque Music: The Life, Music, and Legacy of a Neapolitan Virtuoso

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

• Porpora: The Forgotten Genius of Baroque Music: The Life, Music, and Legacy of a Neapolitan Virtuoso by Nadine Winston

Publisher: Tredition Gmbh
Publication Date: February 2, 2025
Hardcover: $26.99
Paperwork: $16.99
Language: English
Pages: 224

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Photo of the Week: Hera, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

New Book — Naples, Capital of Dance: The ‘feste di ballo' Tradition in the Long Eighteenth Century

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

• Naples, Capital of Dance: The ‘feste di ballo' Tradition in the Long Eighteenth Century by Anthony R. DelDonna

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: June 30, 2025
Hardcover: $120.00
Language: English
Pages: 286

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Celebrazione del 164° Anniversario della fine dell'Assedio di Gaeta del 1860-61

Living in the Past

A peek into the living room from the dining room

Just days after we talked about some of the perks we come by for this blog (See A Private Viewing), we were once again invited for coffee and shown a friend’s treasured collection of family heirlooms. This time, instead of a few interesting pieces of Italian American cultural and religious ephemera, we were graciously given a grand tour of Michael Vera’s cozy abode on Mulberry Street in New York City’s historic Little Italy.

Stepping through the front door of his fifth-floor walk-up—which could easily serve as an annex to the nearby Italian American and Tenement Museums—was like taking a portal back in time to our grand and great-grandparents’ world. Amazingly, everything (from the radiators to the victrola to the clocks) is original and in perfect working condition.

We cannot thank Michael enough for his wonderful hospitality and the unique opportunity to see his beautiful home.

John, Michael, and I discussed the old neighborhood over espresso and cookies

Open pantry

Antique radio above the fridge

Michael found this image of San Genarro hidden behind the gas meter

Living room chairs and one of five Tiffany lamps

(L) Grandfather clock. (R) Porcelain figurines in dining room

Grandmother clock in the dining room

Antique dresser and radio

A copy of Sir Thomas Lawrence's The Calmady Children by Torquato Mazzoni

(L) A 1948 Pilot Model TV with a 3-inch screen on top of the trunk Michael's ancestors from Avellino arrived in America with. (R) An extra china cabinet in the living room filled with china and silverware

Antique Victrola

Antique wall clock and cuckoo clock

(Above and below) Left-handed floral ceramic mustache cup 

Antique Sicilian marionettes

Stereoscope

Stereograph images for the stereoscope

Michael's father's toy truck

Michael's father's toy horse

Michael's father's rocking horse

The porcelain birthing pot Michael was born in

Padlock to Michael's grandfather's shop on Mulberry Street

Painting of the Blessed Mother in the bedroom

Dresser with mirror

Michael's collection of old saint statues

Reliquary with straw from the Holy Crib

(L) Image of San Francesco di Paola. (R) Statue of
San Gennaro from the original feast in 1926

Image of San Gennaro from the society's original standard

Shrine dedicated to the Madonna di Montevergine

Framed poster for the 1972 Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in East Harlem