Celebrating Pasquetta at the 2nd Annual Our Lady of the Snow Sagra della Pizza Chiena

Organizer, Elena Loguercio welcomes everyone to the party
Photos by New York Scugnizzo 

By Giovanni di Napoli

After a peaceful morning of prayer and meditation, I joined my friends and some sixty revelers at the Our Lady of the Snow Hall in Williamsburg, Brooklyn Monday evening for the 2nd Annual Sagra della Pizza Chiena. Warmly received by Our Lady of the Snow Society President Vinnie Raymond and event organizers Elena Loguercio and Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, guests packed into the hall ready to party. 

The Madonna della Neve

Converging from far and wide, members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George; the Monte San Giacomo Society of Hoboken, New Jersey; the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; the Congregazione Maria SS. del Sacro Monte of Jersey City, New Jersey; Club Sassiness d'America of Oyster Bay, New York; the San Cono Society of Williamsburg, Brooklyn; and the St. Rocco Society of Potenza in New York City; among others, partook in this year’s festivities.

During the introductions and greetings, our friend Dolores Alfieri, Director of Italian American Affairs for Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented Cav. O’Boyle with a proclamation for his unwavering service to the Italian American community. A well-deserved honor, we are very happy for Pat.

As to be expected at a pizza chiena celebration, many people brought their own homemade versions of the traditional southern Italian Easter delicacy. However, for the sake of variety, several contributors made additional holiday dishes, including frittata di maccheroni, pastiera Napoletana and, my personal favorite, rafaiul cu sanguinaccio, a fried ravioli-shaped pastry stuffed with a rich chocolate and pig’s blood pudding.

Dolores Alfieri, Director of Italian American Affairs for Gov. Andrew Cuomo presents a proclamation to Cav. Patrick O’Boyle

Set on several large folding tables, the fare was served family style beneath the society’s beautiful statue of the Madonna della Neve and, courtesy of the Constantinian Order of St. George, the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. 

Before digging in, Rt. Rev. Economos Romanos V. Russo led us in prayer and blessed the bread, cheese and meat.

After the benediction, it took little coaxing to get partygoers to start eating; and eat we did. 

With so many dishes to choose from, it was impossible (for me, at least) to try them all, although we did our best. Among others, I had a taste of Nancy Speranza’s frittata di maccheroni, which is part of my family’s Pasquetta tradition, and Rossella Rago and Nonna Romana’s (of Cooking With Nonna fame) pizza chiena. 

Needless to say, everything I sampled was delicious, but once again I thought Elena’s rafaiul cu sanguinaccio was the standout dish, it was by far my favorite. Perhaps this is because, unlike the the other items offered, I rarely get to have it.

Guests help themselves to a wide range of southern Italian delicacies

Following dinner, partygoers mingled and worked off their meal by dancing the night away to traditional tarantella music spun by DJ Marilena Giovanna. As an added surprise, comedian Marcantonio Pezzano kept us in stitches with his characteristic brand of bawdy humor. Angela Rago took the mike from Marco and kept the laughter going.

Many thanks to President Vinnie Raymond and all the members of the Our Lady of the Snow Society for your remarkable warmth and hospitality. As always, you were magnificent hosts. Thank you to all the people who cooked and contributed to the party. It was a great joy to break bread and celebrate our culture together. Special thanks to Elena and Patrick for organizing the fête. Your hard work and dedication to our community is an inspiration.

(L) Pizza chiena, recipe from Napoli. (R) Calzone rustica, recipe from Teggiano 

(L) Pizza chiena, recipe from Calitri. (R) Pizza chiena, recipe from Caggiano

Pizza chiena, recipe from Monte San Giacomo

(Above and below) Rafaiul cu sanguinaccio, recipe from Sassano

Amaro Lucano and some Paulaner beer for the Feast of San Francesco di Paola

Pizza chiena, recipe from Mola di Bari 

Casatiello, recipe from Sassano

Our dear friends Marcantonio Pezzano, Cav. Rt. Rev. Economos Romanos V. Russo and Cav. Vincent Gangone

(Above and below) Partygoers danced the night away

(Above and below) A good time was had by all

The Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George
with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Our friends from the Monte San Giacomo Society and the
San Rocco Society of Potenza show their Due Sicilie pride 

For more information visit the I love Pizza Gain a.k.a. Pizza Chiena group on Facebook

Arba Sicula Presents an Evening of Sicilian Music, Poetry and Dance at St. John’s University

The enchanting Michela Musolino

I’m a firm believer that if the remnant of our community is to survive we need to participate in culturally relevant and edifying social gatherings to help strengthen our faith, family and community ties. Last Monday, I attended such an event at St. John’s University in Queens, New York organized by Prof. Gaetano Cipolla of Arba Sicula and Michela Musolino of Rosa Tatuata. Two titans of our community, Prof. Cipolla and Michela do an incredible job promoting Sicilian culture and folkways through literature, lectures, travel, dance, music and more. 

To the delight of the audience, Room 416A in the D’Angelo Center was momentarily whisked away to the jewel of the Mediterranean, as Michela and Rosa Tatuata performed their heartfelt brand of Sicilian roots and folk music. The setlist included an array of traditional love songs and laments, including A’ Virrinedda, Mamma vi l'Haiu Persu lu Rispettu, O Nici, and Tiritera di Bagheria, a child's nursery rhyme about the Holy Family.

Halfway through their set, the band took a brief intermission so Prof. Cipolla could recite Nino Martoglio’s “Cummattimentu di Orlandu e Rinardu,” a poem written in Sicilian based on the epic duel between the Paladins Orlando and Rinaldo to conquer princess Angelica’s heart. It was recited dramatically in English by poet Stanley Barkan.

Visiting from Catania, Sicily, Maestri Giuseppe and Giovanni Bonaccorsi joined the band on stage to demonstrate their prowess in Santamaria, the ancient Sicilian art of short fencing. The brothers masterfully twirled their cudgels and fighting staffs while parrying their opponent's blows to the rhythm of the music.

Afterward, attendees mingled and enjoyed some complimentary refreshments. Copies of Prof. Cipolla’s many books about Sicily were also available for purchase.

It was an amazing night, which once again left me wondering why so many of our people are surrendering their time-honored traditions and culture for an atomistic, materialistic, and deracinated existence. We commend the efforts of Arba Sicula, Prof. Cipolla, Michela Musolino and all the other groups and individuals that promote our rich culture and identity. Your important work is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Prof. Gaetano Cipolla and just a few of the many books he has written and published about his beloved Sicily

Rosa Tatuata enthralled the audience with their performance

Michela used several types of frame drums during the performance

(Above and below) Maestri Giuseppe and Giovanni Bonaccorsi
demonstrate their martial prowess 

Photos by New York Scugnizzo