Another look at the 127th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in New York City

The processional statue outside Vanilla Funeral Chapel (40 St. James Place)

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Giudice

Thank you Giorgio for sharing your wonderful photos from Sunday's 127th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in historic Little Italy in New York City. Evviva San Rocco!

President Stephen La Rocca (left) with family and friends before Mass

Hundreds of devotees attended Mass

Decked out in their distinctive blue mantles, the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George partook in the entrance procession

The Knights stand sentinel during the Mass

Mass was celebrated outside Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter St.)

During his homily, Pastor Msgr. Donald Sakano spoke at length about San Rocco

Knight's Chaplain Rev. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio concelebrated the Mass

Our dear friend Achille Pirro watching over San Rocco  

After Mass, President La Rocca presented the Angela M. Carnevale Memorial Award to Antonio and Anna Mavrianos-Cesare (left), and William Russo (right)

Recharging at the 41st Anniversary Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Evviva Santa Rosalia!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

Thursday night, I finally got to go to the Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. After a grueling week of work, I was really looking forward to blowing off some steam and having a good time. 

Visiting the outdoor chapel to venerate la Santuzza, I said a few prayers for the earthquake victims in Italy, for my ailing relatives and my ancestors. As always, I made a small donation and picked up some prayer cards to share with my loved ones. 

Afterward, I met up with some friends and we sampled a number of the sundry Sicilian specialties the feast has to offer. Ever since Gino's Focacceria closed (2014), I've been unable to get my customary vastedda (beef spleen) or panelle (ceci fritters) sandwiches, so instead I've been having grilled stigghiola (lamb intestines) from Lucy's. Sausage and peppers and braciole are great, but I prefer the offal delicacies. 

Completely sated, we took a short passagietta up and down the teeming avenue reminiscing about the old neighborhood. Happy and reinvigorated, I am ready to go back to work. Evviva Santa Rosalia! 

The outdoor chapel on 18th Avenue, between 71 St. and 72 St.

I picked up a few prayer cards for family and friends,
as well as for the inside of my cappello 

Festive street lights line the Avenue

(Above and Below) There was plenty of delicious Palermitano street fare at Lucy's, including stigghiola and grilled octopus

Spiedini alla Siciliana

Some hot peppers for those of us who like a little heat

I started off with a little Stigghiola (roasted lamb intestines)

Technically not part of the feast, but we walked to DaVinci's (6514 18th Ave.) for a slice. While eating, my friend half-jokingly observed that there were more Italians inside the old school pizzeria than at the feast

Back at the feast, we made our obligatory stop at Villabate Alba Pasticceria (7001 18th Ave.) for some espresso and Baked Iris

Saturday, August 27th Declared a National Day of Mourning in Italy for the Victims of the Earthquake

This Saturday the 27th has been declared a National Day of Mourning in Italy for the victims of the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo, the Marche and Lazio areas in particular. To date, there are 250 confirmed dead and the number is sadly expected to rise. Hundreds more have been injured and thousands displaced.

The faithful town of Amatrice, once the home of 8,000 inhabitants in 1860, when it was a thriving regional center of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, is almost obliterated. After the invasion by the Piedmontese forces in 1860, the town was a center for national resistance and remained loyal to the house of Bourbon during decades of military occupation and martial law. Industries were closed and agrarian production restricted which resulted in the forced decimation of the population by migration. Schools were ordered closed for over a decade to begin a process of "re-education" and many of the male population imprisoned or exiled. It ceased to be a regional center but the loyalty remained. The pre earthquake population hovered at about 2000 people.

On Saturday, all are encouraged to offer a "Hail Mary" for all the victims. Chaplains of the Order in the US Delegation are requested by His Royal Highness and by His Eminence our Grand Prior to remember the victims in their Stational Masses on the National Day of Mourning.

Source: www.constantinianorderusa.org

Worlds Collide at the Feast of San Rocco

Evviva San Rocco!

Photos by Michael Sant'Elia and New York Scugnizzo

My worlds collided Sunday when my confratelli from the Saint Rocco Society of Potenza and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George came together to celebrate the 127th Annual Feast of Saint Rocco at Most Precious Blood Church in historic Little Italy in New York City. Considering the caliber of membership and level of devotion in both groups, I'm not surprised by how quickly they bonded. I'm honored and blessed to be a part of both groups and very excited at the prospect of continual collaboration and mutual support between these two dynamic organizations. Forza e Onore! – Cav. John Napoli

Cav. Anthony Schembri served as crucifer during the entrance procession
Photo courtesy of Bill Russo

Our Chaplain Rev. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio concelebrated the Mass
with Pastor Msgr. Donald Sakano

Celebrating Mass outside Most Precious Blood Church on Baxter St.

Celebrants gather around the bye-altar to venerate San Rocco and San Gennaro

Ready to start the procession 

(Above & below) Cav. Anthony O'Boyle helps carry the processional canopy

Special thanks to Colleen, Bernadette, Melanie, Andrew, Anthony and Phil
for carrying the canopy behind the Saint

Cav. John Napoli helped carry the statue

Cav. Charles Sant'Elia carried the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Cav. Vincent Gangone, Msgr. Ambrosio & Cav. Sant'Elia on bustling Mulberry St.

Achille, Michael and Charles made a fantastic color guard

(Above & below) Cav. Napoli, Msgr. Ambrosio and Cav. Sant'Elia
saunter through Chinatown towards St. Joseph's Church

Escorting San Rocco

Our flag in the heart of Little Italy

A Prayer for the Earthquake Victims in Central Italy

Sant'Emidio, prega per noi 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the earthquake victims and their families. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life, the suffering and the destruction. May Sant'Emidio protect and watch over you.

Prayer to Saint Emygdius in Times of Earthquake and Calamities

Saint Emygdius, Bishop and Martyr of the faith, accept kindly the prayer that we confidently address to you. Intercede for us before the Lord so that, by imitating you, our faith, vivified by works, be a testimony of filial love for God and fraternal love for one’s neighbor. Encouraged by your example we promise to live with a heart detached from earthly goods and the willingness to sacrifice everything in order to remain faithful to God and the Church. Extend upon us, on our families and on our cities your protection, from the earthquake and from every other calamities or pestilence, so that preserved from them, we may lead a quiet and peaceful life dedicated at giving glory to God hoping to secure the salvation of our souls. Amen.

Evviva San Rocco! A Look at the 127th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in New York City

Evviva San Rocco!

Photos courtesy of Michael Sant'Elia and New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

Sunday, August 21st, the St. Rocco Society of Potenza in New York City celebrated their 127th Annual Festa di San Rocco. Mass was celebrated in English and Italian outside Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter St.) in historic Little Italy with Pastor Donald Msgr. Sakano and Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio, visiting from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey. 

Thanks to our friends from the Saint Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey; the Saint Rocco Society of Fort Lee, New Jersey; the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata of Brooklyn, New York; the Gioiosa Marina Social Club of Brooklyn, New York; the Societá Gioventú Quagliettana in Astoria, Queens; the Craco Society; the Figli di San Gennaro; the Comitati Due Sicilie USA; and the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. Your friendship and support means the world to us! 

Special thanks to President Stephen La Rocca and all the members of the Saint Rocco Society of Potenza for doing a fantastic job; the celebration was a huge success. They are a terrific group, dedicated to our faith and culture, and I’m proud to be counted among them. Evviva San Rocco!

Before Mass, Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio presents jubilant St. Rocco Society president Stephen La Rocca with a sacred relic of San Rocco. 

This year, Mass was celebrated outdoors

The Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George
participated in the Mass and procession

Hundreds turn out for the feast

The color guard exit the church

Glorious San Rocco is greeted with much fanfare

It was wonderful to see children participate in the festivities. (Left) Little patriots show heart-felt devotion during the National Anthem. (Right) A couple of eager helpers distribute prayer cards and collect donations.

Our friends from the St. Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey never fail San Rocco

Our friends from the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata always show San Rocco tremendous support

Joy and devotion from our good friends from the 
Saint Rocco Society of Fort Lee, New Jersey

Our friends from the Gioiosa Marina Social Club show up in force for San Rocco

Wax anatomical votive offerings (vote di cera) are made in gratitude for the Saint's intercession and healing of ailing body parts 

(Above and below) The procession saunters through Little Italy

Kudos to all the lads who carried the candle house (cinte). Speaking from experience, this one is a little more arduous to carry than the statue

Our friends Colleen, Bernadette, Melanie, Andrew, Anthony and Phil did a commendable job carrying the canopy behind the Saint

The procession wends its way through Chinatown towards St. Joseph's Church

(Left) Danny Vecchiano and the Giglio Band were warriors.
(Right) Ex voto were pinned on to the saint

Departing St. Joseph's Church,
the procession makes its way down Monroe Street

(Left) Cheers to our new pals Al and Mallorie.
(Right) Always great to see our friends Vincenzina and Elena

The Procession makes its way around Knickerbocker Village

We made some new friends along the way: (left) Kim and Margo from Belgium and (right) Lucille and Laura from Calabria

Mrs. Mavrianos showers San Rocco with rose petals

(Above & below) Avoiding the throng of onlookers that line the streets, a few devotees watch the procession pass from the comfort of their homes 

Carmine and the guys enjoying the festivities

An honor well deserved: This year's Angela M. Carnevale Memorial Award honorees were (left) Antonio & Anna Mavrianos-Cesare, & (right) William Russo

The Mancino clan (Peppino's from Bay Ridge) generously donated trays of delicious southern Italian delicacies 

After a long, HOT day the La Rocca's sit down for an enjoyable meal

A little rain wasn't going to dampen spirits at the feast. 
Revelers danced the night away