In Memory of King Ferdinando II of the Two Sicilies

Shrine to King Ferdinando II of the
Two Sicilies at Red Sauce Studios
in Little Italy, New York

Friday afternoon, members and friends of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George gathered in New York’s Little Italy to honor the memory of King Ferdinando II of the Two Sicilies with a luncheon at the historic Vincent’s.

Established in 1904, the old-school landmark remains renowned for its legendary red sauce and enduring connection to the neighborhood’s Duosiciliano heritage. The gathering combined remembrance, fellowship, and continuity with the customs and traditions long associated with southern Italian communal life.

As the luncheon fell on a Friday, the table reflected the traditional custom of abstaining from meat in favor of seafood. Among the dishes enjoyed were scungilli, fried calamari, and shrimp balls, alongside several of the restaurant’s classic specialties.

The occasion served not merely as a social gathering but also as a remembrance of a historical legacy preserved through fraternity, ritual, and shared cultural memory. Viva 'o Rre!

Following the luncheon, several members visited the nearby Italian American Museum to view the ongoing Totò and His Naples exhibit, dedicated to the life and legacy of the great Neapolitan actor and comedian Totò.

The visit provided a fitting conclusion to the afternoon, linking the legacy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies with one of Naples’ most beloved cultural figures, whose work preserved the humor, dignity, sorrow, and spirit of the southern Italian people.