In Loving Memory of Achille “Artie” Pirro

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Achille “Artie” Pirro, who passed away on February 24 after a courageous battle with stage 4 small-cell lung cancer.

Artie was a devoted member of the Third Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and proudly served as District Warden of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a dedicated member of the San Rocco Society. Deeply rooted in his faith and heritage, Artie faithfully participated each year in the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, New York, as well as the Feasts of San Paolino and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

He will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his church, his community, and the traditions he cherished.

Artie is survived by his beloved wife, Alana Clark Pirro.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O LORD, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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"

Holy Week in Beautiful Sicily Webinar with Daniela Privitera

Giambattista Basile, the Neapolitan Father of Fairy Tales

Giambattista Basile

February 26th, National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, is a fitting hour to invoke the shade of Giambattista Basile (c. 1566–1632), a native son of Naples and the first great chronicler of fairy tales as they were truly told: cruel, comic, enchanted, and steeped in blood and fate.

Born in the Kingdom of Naples, Basile lived amid courts where splendor and learning walked hand in hand. He served as a soldier, courtier, and administrator under various noble patrons in Southern Italy, navigating through a world of intrigue, vanity, and sudden reversals of fortune—conditions echoed throughout his stories. Naples itself, a jewel of the Spanish Empire, lent its language and temperament to his writing. He used the earthy, musical Neapolitan language, capturing the voice of the streets, kitchens, and countryside.

His great work, Lo cunto de li cunti (1634–1636), later known as the Pentamerone, was published posthumously, thanks to his sister Adriana. Structured as a frame tale told over five days, it contains fifty stories drawn from ancient oral tradition, many appearing here for the first time in written form. Within its pages lie the earliest known versions of tales later softened into nursery stories, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White. However, in Basile’s telling, these are no gentle amusements. Forests are thick with sorcery, princes are ensnared by spells, queens scheme and seethe with envy, and justice arrives late, if at all.

These tales were composed for adult audiences, for courtiers who understood that marvel and monstrosity are closely linked. Basile’s world is governed by Fortune, not sentiment. Wit is a weapon, beauty a peril, and survival a cunning art. The supernatural is ever-present, but never reassuring. Ogres, fairies, and witches obey older, eldritch laws.

To read Basile is to glimpse the fairy tale before it was sanitized for children, a world of candlelit halls, whispered curses, and moonlit paths through perilous woods. On this day dedicated to telling fairy tales, we remember him not just as a storyteller but as a Neapolitan conjurer who recorded ancient spells in black ink, ensuring their darkness, laughter, and dread would never completely fade.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 25th, Feast of Santa Valburga

Remembering Juan Vásquez de Mella y Fanjul

Cangas de Onís, Spain, 8 June 1861—Madrid, Spain, 26 February 1928

In memory of Juan Vásquez de Mella y Fanjul—El Verbo de la Tradición (“The Word of Tradition”), Carlist politician and political theorist—we pray for the happy repose of his soul.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Remembering Joseph de Maistre

b. 1 April 1753 — d. 26 February 1821

In memory of Joseph Marie, Comte de Maistre, diplomat, philosopher, and counter-revolutionary writer, we pray for the happy repose of his soul.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Remembering King Roger II of Sicily

Statue of Ruggero II di Sicilia sculpted by Emilio Franceschi on the western facade of the Royal Palace in the Largo del Palazzo Reale in Naples

In memory of Roger the Norman (22 December, 1095 — 26 February, 1154), King of Sicily, we pray for the happy repose of his soul. Viva ‘o Rre!

Eternal rest grant unto His Majesty, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

My Thoughts on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Spoiler Alert

I just finished watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026) on HBO Max, and I’m happy to say I absolutely loved it. After waiting what felt like ages for a new fantasy series free of contrived modern messaging, I was not disappointed. With episodes averaging about thirty-six minutes, each installment left me wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next. Now that the six-episode run has concluded, it plays beautifully as a single, sweeping three-hour-plus cinematic experience.

As someone who hasn’t read George R.R. Martin’s books, I can’t comment on its faithfulness to the lore. But as a longtime fan of sword-and-sorcery tales and the chivalric and martial traditions of Europe, I can confidently say this is one of the best entries in the genre in recent years.

Set in the fictional land of Westeros—specifically around the tourney at Ashford Meadow—the series is both visually and audibly arresting. The performances and dialogue are consistently strong, but the chemistry between Dunk—Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey)—and young “Egg,” Prince Aegon Targaryen (played by Dextor Sol Ansell), is the heart of the show. Their dynamic is warm, often humorous, and at times moving.

The costumes, cinematography, and musical score are all first-rate. I especially appreciated the realistic brutality of the battle scenes, the quiet heroism of the protagonist, the layered courtly intrigue, the betrayals, the sacrifices, the pageantry, and the genuine narrative twists. More than once, I found myself honestly surprised.

The show is not without its flaws. Even though it's brief, each episode has at least one scene involving excrement, vomit, or urine. While perhaps meant to underscore realism, these moments felt unnecessary and gratuitous. They detract from an otherwise elevated tone.

Other than that, the only continuity error I noticed was a brief scene where Dunk appears with his shield after he's already parted with it.

Reports indicate that showrunner Ira Parker has expressed interest in extending the series to twelve or fifteen seasons over several decades—a goal that may prove unrealistic given the limited source material at hand.

That said, even two or three additional seasons of comparable quality would be a rare achievement in today’s entertainment landscape. With season two reportedly already in production, we may not have to wait long. Hopefully, it will avoid the sharp decline in quality that often afflicts sophomore efforts.

If this first season is any indication, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stands as a refreshing return to character-driven fantasy rooted in honor, loyalty, masculinity, and the enduring allure of knighthood.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 24th, Feast of Beato Tommaso Maria Fusco

Feria of Lent at St. Mary of Mt. Virgin Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey

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

Holy Hour for Peace at St. John Vianney Church in Colonia, New Jersey

Naples Mourns the Great Angela Luce

Famed Neapolitan singer and actress Angela Luce died of heart failure in Naples on February 20, 2026. She was 87. Born Angela Savino on December 3, 1938, to a family of artisans who crafted shoes, silk flowers, and fashion accessories, she remained a daughter of Naples in spirit and in art throughout her life.

A luminous presence in Neapolitan-language theatre, Luce appeared in more than 80 films following her 1956 debut in Ricordati di Napoli. Over the course of her career, she recorded 18 albums between 1972 and 2009. Her musical journey began at just 14, when she performed the iconic Zì Carmilì at the Piedigrotta Bideri festival, marking the start of a career that would span seven decades.

Her accolades were numerous. She won the David di Donatello for her performance in L’amore molesto, directed by Mario Martone, a film that earned international recognition at Cannes. On screen, she shared roles with some of Italy’s greatest actors, including Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Nino Manfredi, Alberto Sordi, Ugo Tognazzi, Vittorio De Sica, and Totò, among others.

Luce became a living bridge between the classic Neapolitan musical tradition—rooted in café-chantant—and the evolving cultural landscape of the 20th century. For younger generations, she was the voice that reintroduced them to two centuries of Neapolitan repertoire. Her signature interpretations included Raffaele Viviani’s So’ Bammenella ’e copp’ ’e Quartiere, featured in Napoli Notte e Giorno directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi and presented at the Spoleto Festival; Ipocrisia by Pino Giordano and Eduardo Alfieri, which placed second at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1975; and Voglia, her own composition with Angelo Fiore, which won the 1984 UNICEF Award.

On stage, Luce performed in the works of Eduardo Scarpetta and frequently collaborated with Eduardo De Filippo, appearing with him in theatre and on television. Her performances carried Neapolitan drama far beyond Italy—to the Wiesbaden Festival in Germany, the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt in Paris, The Old Vic in London, the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York, and the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires.

Deeply devoted to her faith and her city, Luce volunteered from 2011 onward at the annual September 10 Serenata alla Madonna, honoring Our Lady of Piedigrotta. Private by nature, she chose never to marry, dedicating her life entirely to her art. She spoke candidly, however, of a tormented relationship with singer Peppino Gagliardi and of a profound love for a man outside the entertainment world, Amedeo, who died tragically in 1974.

Just days before her passing, Luce recorded a message of encouragement to the owners and staff of Naples’ historic Teatro Sannazzaro, which suffered severe damage in a February 2026 fire—a final gesture of solidarity with the theatrical community she cherished.

Angela Luce’s beauty, generosity of spirit, and intimate rapport with her audiences were legendary. With her passing, Naples loses not only a star, but a guardian of its voice.

~ By Antonio Isernia

Celebrating the First Sunday of Lent

The Temptation of Christ, Gustave Doré

In illo témpore: Ductus est Jesus in desértum a Spíritu, ut tentarétur a diábolo. Et cum jejunásset quadragínta diébus et quadragínta nóctibus, póstea esúriit. Et accédens tentátor, dixit ei: Si Fílius Dei es, dic ut lápides isti panes fiant. Qui respóndens, dixit: Scriptum est: Non in solo pane vivit homo, sed in omni verbo, quod procédit de ore Dei. Tunc assúmpsit eum diábolus in sanctam civitátem, et státuit eum super pinnáculum templi, et dixit ei: Si Fílius Dei es, mitte te deórsum. Scriptum est enim: Quia Ángelis suis mandávit de te, et in mánibus tollent te, ne forte offéndas ad lápidem pedem tuum. Ait illi Jesus: Rursum scriptum est: Non tentábis Dóminum Deum tuum. Íterum assúmpsit eum diábolus in montem excélsum valde: et osténdit ei ómnia regna mundi, et glóriam eórum, et dixit ei: Hæc ómnia tibi dabo, si cadens adoráveris me. Tunc dicit ei Jesus: Vade, Sátana; scriptum est enim: Dóminum Deum tuum, adorábis, et illi soli sérvies. Tunc relíquit eum diábolus: et ecce Ángeli accessérunt et ministrábant ei. ~ Gospel (Matthew 4: 1-11) *

We observed the First Sunday of Lent at the traditional Latin Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Before Mass, we prayed the Holy Rosary, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Stations of the Cross in Latin. As is our custom, we offered our Sunday Rosary for the Beatification of Servant of God King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies and for the Canonization of Beata Queen Maria Cristina di Savoia.

After Mass, we broke our strict Lenten fast (no meat, dairy, or eggs)—first with coffee and cornetti, then later with a modest Sicilian repast.

Regrettably, our engaging discussion on the manufactured decline of Western art was cut short by the approaching winter storm.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 22nd, Feasts of the Chair of San Pietro Apostolo at Antioch and Santa Margherita da Cortona

During Lent, the altar is stripped of flowers in
keeping with the Church's penitential tradition

Stations of the Cross

Some of the statues in the church were recently repositioned

Crocchè di patate e arancini

Anelletti chî vròcculi arriminati e muddìca

Polpette

Parmigiana di melanzane

Notes:
* At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards He was hungry. And the tempter coming said to him: If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.' Who answered and said: 'It is written: Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him: If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down. For it is written: That He hath given His angels charge over Thee, and in their hands shall they bear Thee up, lest perhaps Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord Thy God. Again the devil took Him up into a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said to Him: All these will I give Thee, if falling down Thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan! For it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him: and behold angels came, and ministered to Him. ~ Gospel (Matthew 4: 1-11)

Photo of the Week: The Fontana della Pigna in the Cortile della Pigna, Vatican

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Two Upcoming Catholic Women's Retreats

Why I Write After Sixteen Years and Eleven Months

On this, our sixteenth-year and eleven-month anniversary,* I want to clarify something about the words I share here. My posts are not meant as virtue signaling, nor are they intended to showcase any supposed holiness on my part. They are, first and foremost, a way for me to work through my thoughts and struggles. If others find value in them, that is a gift. I write just as much for myself as for anyone else.

The truth is that I am deeply uncomfortable when people compliment me on being “holy” or “virtuous”—if they only knew how far that is from the truth. I am the first to admit that I am a sinner in desperate need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. I do not stand above anyone. If I appear “very religious,” it is only because so many around me are terribly irreligious. It is like being the tallest dwarf in the room—hardly a testament to stature.

I do not write for accolades. Proof of this is simple: I write under a pseudonym. If I craved praise, I would attach these words to my real name and seek recognition. Yes, it is nice to be appreciated, but praise never sits comfortably with me. If affirmation—or worse, popularity—were the goal, I would not be doing this, but something more fashionable instead.

I also do not write for money. I haven’t made a penny from any of this. It is a labor of love, freely chosen. In a world obsessed with monetization and branding, I am content to remain nameless, faceless, and unpaid. The poverty I embrace is by choice, for the sake of something higher.

This work is not about virtue, vanity, or profit. It is about honesty, struggle, and a desire to cling to truth, even when I fall short. Any benefit to others is something for which I am grateful. But understand this about me: I am not a saint, a sage, or a prophet. I am simply someone stumbling forward, trying to give form to what I believe and seek to live out.

Sixteen years and eleven months of writing, reflection, and labor. No fortune, no name—only continuity. Imperfect yet persistent. That is enough.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 21st, Feast of St. Peter Mavimenus

*As seventeen is considered unlucky in Duosiciliano culture, it seems fitting to pause here just short of it for a small celebration. The superstition goes back to the Roman numeral XVII, which can be rearranged to spell VIXI—“I have lived”—a phrase tied to death. For this reason, rather than tempt fate, we’ve decided to mark our sixteenth year and eleventh month of writing with joy and gratitude, leaving the ominous 17th for others to brave.

Il Portastendardo di Civitella del Tronto (n. 56 - Febbraio 2026)

Lent with the Emperor

The Blessed Karl von Habsburg Symposium V

Saturday, March 7, 2026 (8:00AM–5:00PM)

Renaissance Dallas North Hotel
1590 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Dallas, TX, 75234

Fifth Gathering:
• Conference
• “Dinner with the Speakers”
• Singles Social Event

It could be said that the last few years of Bl. Karl’s life was one long ‘Lent’.

Ten speakers from several US states and foreign countries will look deep, each in a different way, into how an emperor and a Catholic navigate through personal difficulties, societal disorder, and into personal, interior triumph.

MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO THE EMPEROR’S LENT—2026

Discover the richness and benefit of a Good Lent– strength and perseverance in troubling times–Kaiser Karl’s way.

JOIN THE HUNDREDS FROM DOZENS OF STATES & EVEN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHO WILL ATTEND

Click here to Attend

Mulberry Street Serenade: Patrizio Buanne Back in Little Italy

Patrizio showing his Two Sicilies pride

Ran into our friend Patrizio Buanne at E. Rossi’s in Little Italy, New York, last night during the American leg of his world tour. Tourists drifted past, unaware that one of Naples’ great modern crooners was inside catching up with friends over conversation.

More: https://patriziobuanne.net/en/home_en/

Novena to San Leone Luca di Corleone

San Leone Luca, ora pro nobis

Pray the novena for nine consecutive days, February 20th through February 28th, in preparation for the feast celebrated on March 1st. Evviva San Leone Luca di Corleone!

Glorious St. Leolucas of Corleone, beloved Patron, you served God in humility and confidence on earth. Now you enjoy His beatific vision in heaven. You persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the dangers, confusion, and anguish that surround me and intercede for me in my needs and troubles, especially...

(Mention your need here...).

Amen.

St. Leolucas of Corleone, Pray for us.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

New Book — Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike: Volume 2

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

• Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike: Volume 2, Books 16-17: The Rise of Macedon under Philip II and the Conquests of Alexander III (the Great) by Phillip Harding

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Pub. Date: May 31, 2026
Hardcover: $115.00
Softcover $32.99
Language: English
Pages: 448

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply endorsement

The Sun Steed and My Father

Patriae Moderatur Amore [1]

It has been some time since I last went horseback riding, so when the opportunity arose, it stirred a flood of memories. As far back as I can remember, if there was a horse within sight, my father would lift me into the saddle, no matter where we were. His love of horses was steadfast, equestrian in his very nature. His first real job was as a stable boy at the Kensington Stables near Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

He would often recall how he lingered too long at the stables before finally rushing home for dinner, leaving no time to bathe. My grandfather ran his table with military punctuality. Seated to his right, still reeking of horses, he barely had time to settle before my grandfather would say, “You stink,” and send him to his room without supper. An aunt would quietly bring him food later.

If a horse appeared on television, everything stopped. We had to watch. I cannot count how many times I sat through Hidalgo.

Proud of his Neapolitan ancestry, he loved that Napoli’s ancient emblem was a rampant black stallion on a golden field—Il Corsiero del Sole, the “Sun Steed.” The horse, long associated with the city, symbolized vitality and sovereign strength. Tracing its origins to antiquity, a colossal bronze horse once stood in Naples, traditionally associated with the Temple of Neptune—symbolizing the unpredictability of the sea and protection from earthquakes.

In the Middle Ages, the horse became linked to the legend of Virgil, who in Neapolitan lore was regarded as a magician and protector of the city. It was said that he fashioned or enchanted the bronze horse as a talisman guarding Naples and its stables from harm. Thus, the ancient monument passed from pagan symbol into medieval legend, its power recast but not forgotten.

The horse also appeared on early Neapolitan coinage and civic imagery and was later connected—symbolically rather than heraldically—to the Aragonese rulers of Naples in the fifteenth century. Over time, the image evolved, but the figure of the horse endured as a sign of independence and power. In my father, it was no symbol at all but simply who he was.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, February 18th, Feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous

Notes:

[1] Patriae moderatur amore appears beneath Filippo Palizzi’s 1877 depiction of an unbridled horse in the fields beneath Vesuvius, evoking Il Corsiero del Sole. The phrase may be translated as “He is guided by love of the fatherland.”

Remembering Francisco Elías de Tejada

Madrid, Spain, 6 April 1917 – Madrid, Spain, 18 February 1978

In memory of the “Forgotten Master,” Francisco Elías de Tejada y Spínola Gómez, Carlist philosopher and historian, we pray for the happy repose of his soul.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Celebrating Martedì Grasso

Focaccia Barese

On the eve of Lent, we celebrated the end of our indulgent Carnevale season with a special Martedì Grasso—Fat Tuesday—celebration. The evening was filled with cheerful excess—a luxurious homemade feast followed by lively games and lots of laughter late into the night.

As is our tradition, since we forgo meat, dairy, and eggs during the Great Fast, our final meal was a conscious feast of all three: rich dishes, generous servings, and no holding back.

Now, feeling satisfied and thankful, we turn our thoughts toward the desert. Through fasting, abstinence, and penitence, we begin the long journey toward the glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. We wish you a blessed and meaningful Lent. ~ Giovanni di Napoli

Pomodori secchi e nodini

Affettati e formaggio

Crocchè di patate, polpette di ricotta, and arancini

Melanzane grigliate sott'olio

Peperoni arrostiti sott'olio

Manicotti

Polpette

Cotoletta alla Milanese

Cupcakes

Michela Musolino at the Corazón Cultural Arts Center in Topanga, California