Photo of the Week: Crucifix at the Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Naples

Photo by Andrew Giordano

New Book — Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike

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

• Diodoros of Sicily: Bibliotheke Historike translated with introduction and notes by Philip Harding

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Pub. Date: Oct. 31, 2021

Hardcover: $99.99

Softcover $23.99

Language: English

Pages: 448

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply endorsement

Feast of San Camillo de Lellis

San Camillo de Lellis, ora pro nobis

July 18th is the Feast of San Camillo de Lellis, Confessor and founder of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm. Patron saint of  physicians, nurses, hospitals and the sick, San Camillo is also the protector of the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy and his native Bucchianico in Chieti. In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to St. Camillus of Lellis. The image of San Camillo in Gloria comes courtesy of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm. Evviva San Camillo de Lellis!

Prayer to Saint Camillus of Lellis

Most wonderful Saint, your compassion for the sick and the dying led you to found the Servants of the Sick. As Patron of nurses and hospital workers, infuse in them your compassionate spirit. Make hospitals resemble the inn in Christ’s Parable to which the Good Samaritan brought the wounded man saying: “Take care of him and I will repay you for it.” Amen.

Novena to San Pantaleone Martire

San Panaleone Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, July 18th — 26th, in preparation for the Feast on July 27th.

Preparatory Prayer

Almighty and eternal God! With lively faith and reverently worshiping Thy divine Majesty, I prostrate myself before Thee and invoke with filial trust Thy supreme bounty and mercy. Illumine the darkness of my intellect with a ray of Thy heavenly light and inflame my heart with the fire of Thy divine love, that I may contemplate the great virtues and merits of the saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.

Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I humbly place before Thee, devoutly saying, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Vouchsafe graciously to hear it, if it redounds to Thy greater glory and to the salvation of my soul. Amen.

Prayer in Honor of St. Pantaleon

O God, who didst give to St. Pantaleon the grace of exercising charity toward his fellow-men by distributing his goods to the poor, and hast made him a special patron of the sick, grant, that we, too, show our charity by works of mercy; and through the intercession of this Thy servant preserve us from sickness. But if it be Thy will that illness should afflict us, give us the grace to bear it patiently, and let it promote our soul's salvation. Amen.

Invocation of St. Pantaleon

St. Pantaleon, who during life didst have great pity for the sick and with the help of God didst often relieve and cure them; I invoke thy intercession with God, that I may obtain the grace to serve Him in good health by cheerfully fulfilling the duties of my state of life. But if it be His holy will to visit me with illness, pain, and suffering, do thou aid me with thy powerful prayer to submit humbly to His chastisements, to accept sickness in the spirit of penance and to bear it patiently according to His holy will. Amen.

Prayer

My Lord and my God! I offer up to Thee my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, together with the merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother, Mary ever virgin, and of all the saints, particularly with those of the holy Helper in whose honor I make this novena.

Look down upon me, merciful Lord! Grant me Thy grace and Thy love, and graciously hear my prayer. Amen.

* For more on St. Pantaleon and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. The accompanying photo of marble bas-relief altar rail depicting San Pantaleone was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Duomo di Ravello, Salerno.

Feast of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne

Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of
Compiègne, orate pro nobis

July 17th is the Feast the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne, Victims of the French Revolution. In 1794 Mother Teresa of St. Augustine and her fifteen Companions were executed by guillotine during the Reign of Terror. Refusing to comply with the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which subordinated the Catholic Church to the revolutionary government, the Martyrs were arrested, tried for treason, and sentenced to death. Driven before an unusually quiet mob, they each renewed their vows and chanted hymns as they heroically ascended the scaffold towards the cold-blooded executioner. They were buried in a common grave in the Picpus Cemetery. In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne.

Prayer to the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne*

God our Father, you give us joy each year in honoring the memory of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and the Martyrs of Compiegne. May their prayers be a source of help for us, and may their example of courage and chastity be our inspiration. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From The Liturgy of the Hours: Common of Several Martyrs—For virgin martyr

* Prayer reprinted from aleteia.org

Celebrating the Feast of the Madonna del Carmine

(L) Makeshift tabletop shrine to Our Lady. (R) Scapular with
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies coat-of-arms pocket square

O Mary, immaculate Queen of Carmel, Mother of God, and my Mother, by my holy Scapular I am entirely thine. Assist me this day, and obtain for me the grace to live faithfully my Scapular consecration, whereby my heart, my mind, my body, my whole being, is thine without reserve, forever. Amen. ~ Daily Act of Consecration

After Mass Friday afternoon, members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) returned to Amunì Ristorante (7217 3rd Avenue) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to celebrate the Feast of the Madonna del Carmine. 

Meant to be a joyous occasion, Pope Francis’ motu proprio restricting the Latin Mass unfortunately put a bit of a damper on our luncheon. 

Thankfully, in addition to chef Dardanello’s delicious Sicilian fare, rehashing the Euros (especially England’s undignified meltdown) helped distract and cheer us up a little. 

Focussing on what's in our control, we are going to continue attending Latin Mass, pray for our priests, and carry on with our myriad devotions and acts of reparation. Needless to say, we’re also going to keep praying for the Pope, in Latin. Madonna del Carmine, ora pro nobis.

Stuffed zucchini blossoms

Carciofi fritti

Caponata con crostini

Insalata di finocchio with fennel, oranges, arugala and lemon dressing

Meatless arancini and crocchè di patate

Pane cunzatu

Milinciani fritta

Panelle with fresh ricotta, caciocavallo and topped with lemon zest

Brioche con gelato

New Kindle Edition — Disaster Narratives in Early Modern Naples: Politics, Communication and Culture

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

• Disaster Narratives in Early Modern Naples: Politics, Communication and Culture by Domenico Cecere, Chiara De Caprio, Lorenza Gianfrancesco and Pasquale Palmieri

Publisher: Viella Libreria Editrice
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Publication Date: July 7, 2021
Kindle: $35.99
Language: English
File size: 9987 KB

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply any endorsement

Photo of the Week: Via San Sebastiano a Napoli by Eduardo Dalbono

Via San Sebastiano a Napoli by Eduardo Dalbono
Museo Civico in the Maschio Angioino, Napoli
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Meridiunalata XXV: Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz was born in Portici and was married to Ing. Vittorio Fidora, and was a proud mother and grandmother active in numerous cultural organizations. As a young woman she discovered Capri and settled on the island where she was active in cultural life. Noted intellectuals such as Ettore De Mura, Ottavio Nicolardi, Italia Gaeta, Giovanni Panza, Augusto Crocco, Mario Da Vinci were frequent guests in her home.

Her first collection of poetry appeared in 1973 under the title 'E Vvarche e ‘O Core. In 1980 she published her well known collection 'O Viulino with Editore Delfino. She has been crowned by critics as the Neapolitan language “Poet of Love”. She also authored the lyrics of many Neapolitan songs set to music by Matassa and Marchese among others, and which were recorded by various artists. She authored a verse version of the Via Crucis and in 1976 became the first woman to write a dramatic sceneggiata, which was staged at the Teatro 2000 in Naples. Her early works are housed in the National Library of Naples and in the Lucchesi-Palli library.

Fidora in addition to participating in many radio broadcasts on Radio Ischia’s Diamoci del Del Tu Nel Cuore della Notte hosted by Beppy Banfi, she also was a frequent guest in the Salotto Tolino and she travelled with the Associazione dei Poeti e Scrittori Dialettali d’Italia. She also served as a judge in Neapolitan poetry events. She was awarded by the Foyer des Artistes in a ceremony at Palazzo Barberini in Rome with Cardinal Oddi. In 1986, upon request of Curzio Malaparte’s family, her poem Villa Malaparte was set in the wall of the entrance to the novelist’s Capri villa. Beyond her literary output, she is remembered for her generosity and frequently worked with various charities at a national level, appearing on radio and television to raise funds for sick and disabled children.

From her vast writings, one of the most iconic and popular among the Neapolitan public is her 1980 poem ‘O Viulino, considered emblematic of her poetics in classical Neapolitan. Her 1982 poem Snoopy is likewise characteristic of her writing and Neapolitan feeling in its reminiscence of a stray dog she lovingly adopted.

‘O Viulino

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Pe stu suonno ca faccio stasera ,

torna ancora guaglione stu core ,

pecchè sente 'int''all'aria leggera ,

nu mutivo ca parla d'ammore .

 

Ciento amice me stanno vicino

ma tu sulo , c''o ssaje te n'adduone,

ca sò sola a sentì stu viulino ,

ca nzurdina pe me tu mo suone...

 

Chesti nnote ricordano a 'o core ,

nu suspiro , nu triemmulo 'e mane ,

na cartella , nu libbro , nu sciore ,

nu saluto ca dice : «Dimane!»

 

Chesti ccose 'e tenevo astipate

nzieme 'e ccose ca voglio scurdà...

ma stasera , sti nnote sunate ,

ll'hanno fatto pe n'ora turnà!...

The Violin

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Through this dream I’m having this evening ,

this heart of mine is a girl’s again ,

because it hears in the light air ,

a motif that speaks of love .

 

A hundred friends are near me

but only you , know and realize it,

that only I hear this violin ,

that you now play softly for me...

 

These notes remind the heart of 

a sigh , a tremble of the hand ,

a folder , a book , a flower ,

a greeting that says : «Until tomorrow!»

 

These things I’d kept stored away

together  with the things I want to forget...

but this evening , these notes played ,

made them come back for an hour!...

Snoopy

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

Se dice spisso, «Il cane mio lo sai

Ha il pedigree. È tanto ubbidiente,

se lo vedessi a zonzo non va mai,

perché di razza pura, veramente!»

‘O cane mio, invece è lazzarone,

nun tene ‘o pedigrì è mpertinente,

sta sempe stiso a ‘o sole, è nu birbone,

nun fa nemmeno ‘a guardia… nun  fa niente!

Tene na recchia ‘e renza, n’ata aizata,

n’uocchio nfussato e proprio ‘o naso ‘e cane,

ma chi antrasatto ‘o ncontra mmiez’’a strata

nun pò fà a meno ‘e dí: «Che bellu cane!»

Pirciò, che saccio, è overo c’’a bellezza

ncopp’a sta terra nun è certo  tutto,

pecché, se fa cchiù spisso na carezza

a chi pe sciorta nera è nato brutto!

Snoopy

Rosetta Fidora Ruiz

One often says, «You know my dog

has a pedigree. He’s so obedient,

if you see him he never goes roaming,

because he’s a pure breed, truly!»

My dog, instead is a lazzarone,

he doesn’t have a pedigree, he’s impertinent,

he’s always laying out in the sun, he’s a rascal,

he doesn’t even guard anything… he does nothing!

He’s got an ear flopped over, another raised,

a sunken eye and a real dog’s nose,

but those who suddenly encounter him in the middle of the street

can’t help but say: «What a beautiful dog!»

Therefore, I know, it is true that beauty

in this world is certainly not everything,

because, one often gives a caress

to one who by bad luck was born ugly!

*Translations and Notes by Cav. Charles Sant’Elia

Download The Reconquista of Naples: The Army of Holy Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ‘Dei Sanfedisti’

New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Lulu.com

• The Reconquista of Naples: The Army of Holy Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ‘Dei Sanfedisti’ by Ian Peplow

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: June 27, 2020

Ebook format (PDF): $5.00

Language: English

Pages: 16

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply endorsement

Malta Walk NYC

MALTA WALKS Thursday, July 15th at 6:30PM: Now more than ever, the homeless population is most evident and in need of our generosity. We would like to invite volunteers to meet on the North East side of 34 Street and Park Avenue to distribute pre-made bags for the homeless. Pre-made bags will include sandwiches, hand sanitizer, toiletry kits, individually wrapped masks, snacks and water. Email francesca.t.tempesta@gmail.com to participate.

Photo of the Week: Church of San Gennaro in the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Napoli

Chiesa di San Gennaro, Real Bosco di Capodimonte,
built in 1745 at the behest of King Charles of Bourbon
Photo of New York Scugnizzo

New Book — Underworld: Imagining the Afterlife in Ancient South Italian Vase Painting

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

• Underworld: Imagining the Afterlife in Ancient South Italian Vase Painting by David Saunders

Publisher: JP Getty Museum

Publication Date: Jan. 4, 2022

Hardcover: $70.00

Language: English

Pages: 240

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply endorsement

Happy National U.S. Postage Stamp Day!

St. Junipero Serra, 1985

In celebration of National U.S. Postage Stamp Day, I thought it would be fun to share a few favorites from my collection. Naturally, since July 1st is the Feast of St. Junipero Serra, I had to include the ones I have portraying the great Saint.

First Day of Issue St. Junipero Serra, 1985

(L) Madonna and Child by Paolo de Matteis, 1996.
(R) Madonna and Child by Antonello da Messina, 1960

War hero John Basilone, 2005

(L) Edgar Allan Poe, 1949. (R) Washington Irving, 1940

Naval heroes Stephen Decatur and Thomas MacDonough, 1937

Norse explorer, Lief Erikson, 1968

(L) Princess Grace, 1993. (R) Edgar Rice Burroughs with Tarzan, 2012

Snoopy as Flying Ace (Peanuts Comic Strip), 2001

Feast of Beato Gennaro Maria Sarnelli

Beato Gennaro Maria Sarnelli, ora pro nobis

June 30th is the Feast of Beato Gennaro Maria Sarnelli (1702-1744), Redemptorist Priest and lawyer. One of Sant'Alfonso de Liguori’s earliest companions, the Neapolitan nobleman was a prolific writer, publishing over thirty volumes on various subjects. A zealous preacher and missionary, he tirelessly tended the sick and, with the support of King Carlo di Borbone, worked against prostitution and the corruption of young girls in the Kingdom of Naples. Invoked against prostitution, he is also the patron of writers and Italian Missionaries. In celebration, I’m Posting a prayer to Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli. Evviva Beato Gennaro Maria Sarnelli!

Prayer to Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli*

O Blessed Gennaro Maria, faithful disciple of Jesus the Redeemer, you put all your energy into revealing the loving countenance of God to the poor who live in neglect, to the sick who live in loneliness, to young girls who live amid the dangers of society, to those who live without a family’s love. You open the heart of Christ as the road to hope. Listen to my prayer and help all who call on you for care. Break the bread of God’s Word with those who are far from the faith so that the Redeemer’s blood may reach everyone, and bring the Church to true fellowship in God’s love. Amen.

* Prayer reprinted from A Life of Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli: Redemptorist (1702-1744) by Francesco Chiovaro, C.SS.R., Liguori Publications, 2003

New Kindle Edition — Music in Seventeenth-Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624–1704)

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

• Music in Seventeenth-Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624–1704) by Dinko Fabris

Publisher: Routledge

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Publication Date: June 28, 2021

Kindle: $9.99

Language: English

File size: 5251 KB

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply any endorsement

Photo of the Week: Duomo di Amalfi's Tympanum with Mosaic of Sant'Andrea Apostolo

Photo by Andrew Giordano

Feast of Sant’Andrea Apostolo

Sant'Andrea Apostolo, ora pro nobis

June 27th is the Feast of Sant’Andrea Apostolo, Missionary, Wonderworker and Martyr. He is the patron saint of Amalfi and fishermen. His liturgical Feast is commemorated on November 30th.

The Amalfitans, and greater Christendom, honor the first Apostle on this day for miraculously saving the Southern Italian coastal city from an attack by the infamous Ottoman corsair Barbarossa in June 1544.

According to tradition, as the Saracen marauders approached the city looking for slaves and booty, terrified townspeople crowded into Amalfi’s famed Duomo and appealed to their glorious patron for protection. Answering his people’s prayers, the clear blue sky suddenly grew dark and a violent storm hit the dreaded armada, sinking several ships and driving off the rest.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Andrew the Apostle. The accompanying photo of the Fontana di Sant’Andrea was taken in the Piazza del Duomo in Amalfi. Evviva Sant'Andrea Apostolo!

Prayer to St. Andrew the Apostle

O Christ, our Lord, Who didst beautify the most blessed Andrew with the grace of apostleship, and the crown of martyrdom, by granting to him this special gift, that by preaching the mystery of the cross, he should merit death on the cross; grant us to become most true lovers of Thy holy cross, and denying ourselves, to take up our cross and follow Thee; that by sharing Thy sufferings in this life, we may deserve the happiness of obtaining life everlasting. Amen

The Vigil of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

San Giovanni Battista, ora pro nobis

Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus, ut família tua per viam salútis incédat; et beáti Joánnis Præcursóris hortaménta sectándo, ad num quem prædixit, secúra pervéniat, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Turm. Qui tecum.

June 23rd is the Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Customarily a day of fasting, it is popularly celebrated with large bonfires and dancing (Ballo di San Giovanni) to ward off evil spirits. In some parts of Southern Italy the Vigil is also a night of betrothal (St. John is invoked for good marriages) and moonlight bathing to help cure spiritual and physical ailments. In celebration of my beloved namesake, I’m posting a prayer to the glorious light-bearer before Christ in Latin and English. The accompanying photo was from our 2020 falo di San Giovanni, or St. John's bonfire. Evviva San Giovanni Battista!

Prayer

Grant we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thy household may walk in the way of salvation, and by following the extortions of blessed John the Precursor, may safely come unto Him Whom he foretold, even Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee.

Feast of Sant'Agrippina di Mineo

Sant'Agrippina, ora pro nobis

June 23rd is the Feast of Sant'Agrippina di Mineo, Virgin and Martyr. In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Agrippina.* The accompanying photo was taken at St. Leonard's Church during the 2014 Feast of Santa Agrippina in Boston's North End. Evviva Sant'Agrippina!

Prayer to St. Agrippina

O glorious virgin and Martyr Agrippina your cruel executioner bound you to prepare you for martyrdom. Pray for us that our hearts will also be bound always to God's holy love, Let us pray fervently. May devotion to Saint Agrippina Endure for ever. Amen.

* Prayer courtesy of the Saint Agrippina Di Mineo Benefit Society of Boston