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| A small devotional shrine dedicated to San Giovanni Battista |
Ut queant laxīs
resonāre fibrīs
Mīra gestōrum
famulī tuōrum,
Solve pollūtī
labiī reātum,
Sāncte Iohannēs.
On the Vigil of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, members of the Sons of the Two Sicilies Pipe Club gathered at Amunì ristorante in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for their third Pipe Night dinner.
Partygoers enjoyed a Sicilian repast prepared by our gracious host, Chef Vincent Dardanello. Among those present were members of the San Rocco Society di Potenza and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. Special thanks are due to the Order’s Delegate, Cav. John Viola, and Vice-Delegate, Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, for their support of the evening.
In addition to fine food and fellowship, attendees enjoyed a curated exhibition of four landscape paintings by Professor David DiPasquale, a display of antique pipes and vintage brochures from Brooklyn’s former Don-Lou Pipe Shop, a tasting of Sicilian wines, and a makeshift shrine dedicated to St. John the Baptist.Our friends from the Italian American Podcast recorded interviews throughout the evening, while attendees shared their favorite blends and showed off pipes from Southern Italy and around the world. One fortunate guest departed with the evening’s door prize, a copy of The Question of Hispanidad: History, Culture, and Politics (Arouca Press, 2026) by Miguel Ayuso, courtesy of Il Regno.
Fr. Michael Barone, Fr. Leo Joseph Camurati, O.P., Canon Adrian Sequeira, and Canon Alexis Rouquayrol joined the festivities. Canon Rouquayrol offered grace before the meal and later led the group in chanting the ancient hymn Ut queant laxīs as attendees gathered in the backyard for pipes, cigars, Chartreuse, espresso, dessert, and conversation beneath the summer evening sky.
The evening concluded in a spirit of fraternity, gratitude, and devotion to St. John the Baptist. More important than the food, drink, or prizes, however, was the opportunity to renew old friendships, forge new ones, and strengthen the bonds that unite our community. Those present departed with the shared hope that Pipe Night will once again become an annual observance on the Vigil of the Forerunner. Evviva San Giovanni!
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, June 24th, Feast of St. John the Baptist |
| San Giovanni Battista, ora pro nobis |
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| Guests enjoyed a select exhibition of four thought-provoking landscape paintings by Professor David DiPasquale, displayed throughout the evening |
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| The flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies |
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| A collection of antique pipes from the former Don-Lou Pipe Shop in Brooklyn |
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| Vintage brochures from Brooklyn's former Don-Lou Pipe Shop |
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| Attendees shared their favorite pipe tobacco blends |
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| An antique pipe from Salzburg, Austria |
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| An intriguing pipe of unknown origin, adorned with two unusual carved faces |
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| (L) A copy of The Question of Hispanidad: History, Culture, and Politics by Miguel Ayuso. (R) Canon Rouquayrol offered grace before the meal |
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Attendees stand and face the flag during the playing of
the National Anthem of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies |
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| Attendees raise a toast and extend their best wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Palermo and Calabria, on the occasion of her birthday |
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| Tagliere di salumi, formaggi e olive |
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| Arancini |
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| Carciofi fritti |
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| Pesto alla Trapanese |
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| Pasta al forno |
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| Shrimp oreganata |
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| Parmigiana di melanzane |
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| Milanesa de Pollo |
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| Iris |
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| Nero d'Avola and Chartreuse |
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Professor David DiPasquale discusses the religious
dimensions of his landscape paintings |
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| Canon Alexis Rouquayrol chants the ancient Hymn to Saint John |
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| Guests mingle and enjoy pipes and cigars in the backyard |
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| A.J. and Pat share a laugh with Father Leo |
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The evening concludes in the backyard with pipes, cigars,
Chartreuse, espresso, dessert, and conversation |
