Celebrating the Feast of Sant'Antuono Abate in Brooklyn, New York

On Saturday evening, members and friends of the San Rocco Society of Potenza in New York gathered in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, for our Annual Fucarazzo di Sant’Antuono—the traditional St. Anthony bonfire. Dedicated to the father of Western monasticism, this ancient rite centers on a purifying blaze meant to ward off evil, protect animals and livestock, and ensure a fruitful year ahead. Symbolizing the saint’s triumph over Satan and temptation, the fire also marks renewal and regeneration, as winter gives way to the promise of spring.

Old tales lend the night an added enchantment, claiming that animals briefly regain the power of speech—and that misfortune awaits those who dare to overhear them.

Patron of animals and farmers, anchorites and hospitallers, basket makers and bell ringers, gravediggers, amputees, pizza makers, and the glowing embers of the hearth, Sant’Antuono is also invoked against pestilence, skin ailments, ergotism, contagion, and demonic affliction.

Gathered around the protecting flames, revelers ate, drank, and prayed to our beloved patron. Long into the night, the fire was carefully fed with old Christmas trees, dried palm fronds from Palm Sunday, and other garden kindling.

Our heartfelt thanks to the La Rocca family for their boundless warmth and hospitality. As always, it was a joy to celebrate our faith and culture together. Evviva Sant’Antuono!