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| Death and Father Time walking hand in hand, The Anatomist's Vade Mecum: A System of Human Anatomy (1840) by Sir William James Erasmus Wilson (1809-1884) |
I’ve written more than ever before—perhaps my most productive year yet—and in the process met many fascinating people from all walks of life. From artists and scholars to pilgrims and priests, each encounter left its mark, reminding me how rich and varied the human story can be.
It was also a remarkable year for Naples, as our beloved Partenopei clinched their fourth Scudetto, filling the city and diaspora alike with pride. The joy was magnified by another historic moment: the canonization of Blessed Bartolo Longo, the Apostle of the Rosary, whose life and legacy continue to inspire faith and devotion. The year’s meaning was deepened further as Naples celebrated its 2,500th anniversary, a rare civic jubilee that reminded us that the city’s soul endures far beyond any single triumph.
Art and beauty were constant companions throughout the year. I had the pleasure of visiting extraordinary exhibits at The Met, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Frick Collection, Poster House, and The Cloisters—along with hidden gems in smaller galleries and private collections. Each space offered its own quiet revelation.
Travel took me once again to Italy, where I spent time in Milan and Rome. Being the Jubilee Year of 2025, I had the immense honor of meeting the Holy Father, walking through two Holy Doors—at St. Peter’s Basilica and St. John Lateran—and joining the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George’s International Pilgrimage. I was deeply humbled to receive Rosary Beads from the Pope and a Pilgrimage Medal from H.R.H. Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Grand Master and Head of the Royal House. Among the trip’s most memorable moments was visiting the Order’s Grand Magistry and the Circolo della Caccia, the prestigious noble hunting club housed in the stately Palazzo Borghese—one of the “four marvels of Rome,” and arguably more difficult to visit than the Pope.
Closer to home, I joined in several Italian American feast celebrations, most memorably the 150th Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Hammonton, New Jersey, where I witnessed the Canonical Coronation—a moving testament to enduring faith and tradition.
All told, 2025 was a year of work, wonder, and blessing—a reminder that gratitude and grace go hand in hand.
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, December 29th, Feast of San Tommaso Becket
