Evviva Sant'Anna! A Look at the 107th Annual Feast of Saint Ann in Hoboken, New Jersey

Evviva Sant'Anna! 
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Scenes from Wednesday's Feast Day Mass and procession at beautiful Saint Ann's Church (704 Jefferson St.) in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The ornate high altar inside Saint Ann's Church

After Mass, the color guard led the procession out the main portal 

These adorable little angels were excited to see so many people
waiting to greet Saint Ann outside the packed church

Saint Ann is presented to the expectant crowd

A throng of jubilant revelers receive Saint Ann

(Above & below) the procession wends its way through the neighborhood

The future looks bright for the Saint Ann's Guild

We couldn't have asked for better weather for the procession

The John Duke Band

The color guard and members of the Padre Pio Prayer Group show their support

Truglio's offered participants pizza and cold water

Failla Memorial Home generously gave participants
sandwiches, pastries, watermelon and cold water

A yard shrine dedicated to Sant'Anna

While everyone was enjoying some delicious focaccia and cold water
outside the Madonna Dei Martiri Society Clubhouse, I took the opportunity
to visit San Corrado di Molfetta and Our Lady of the Martyrs

San Giacomo greets Saint Ann outside the Monte San Giacomo Clubhouse

San Giacomo joins the celebration

(L-R) Statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri and stained glass window of Saint George. During our stop at St. Francis RC Church, I lit some candles and made my usual intercessory prayers for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors

(Above & below) Before returning to Saint Ann's Church, we stopped by the Santa Febronia Chapel to pray to the Madonna di Tindari and Santa Febronia

The Madonna di Tindari, inside the Santa Febronia Chapel

Along the way, we also visited a private shrine devoted to Padre Pio

(Above & below) After sauntering through Hoboken for several hours, the procession returns to the bustling fairgrounds

With great fanfare, the statues are returned to the church 

After the benediction, we returned to the Monte San Giacomo Clubhouse for some fellowship, cold beer and delicious roast beef and pepper sandwiches

Click here for additional photos

Around the Web - Italian American Podcast Episode 45: The Hidden History of Southern Italy’s Glory, Part 1

John Viola, left, president of The National Italian American Foundation and the U.S. Delegate for The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George; Pat O’Boyle, center, Vice Chancellor of the same order; and Anthony O’Boyle, a knight of the order, in Vatican City, Italy

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we talk with National Italian American Foundation President John Viola, and Anthony and Patrick O’Boyle. All three are members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. We have a candid conversation with these passionate and active members of the Italian-American community about what is known as the Neo-Bourbon Movement and vital, shocking parts of Southern Italian history that have been buried.

Listen to Episode 45: The Hidden History of Southern Italy's Glory

Photo of the Week: Marble Bas-Relief of San Pantaleone in the Duomo di Ravello, Salerno

Marble bas-relief of San Pantaleone, altar rail, Duomo di Ravello, Salerno
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

A Look at the 2017 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Staten Island, New York

Evviva Maria!

Photos courtesy of Joe Santoro

Thanks Joe for sharing your wonderful photos from this year's Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Sunday, July 16th) at the Church of St. Rita in Staten Island, New York. It’s great to see this wonderful tradition endure. Evviva Maria!

Our Lady is adorned with flowers inside St. Rita's Church

(Above & below) Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fraternal Society are joined by members of the St. Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey

In memory of loved ones, devotees pin donations onto the statue

After Mass, Our Lady is presented to the expectant crowd and placed on a wagon

(Above & below) The procession wends its way through the neighborhood

Back at the gymnasium, revelers enjoy some fellowship and refreshments

The Red Mike Festival Band entertain partygoers

Auxiliary Malta Walks in NYC, July 2017

Dr. Michael Espiritu, Francesca Temesta, DM, and the Order of Malta Auxiliary
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

By Cav. John Napoli

Tuesday evening, nearly twenty volunteers gathered at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house (263 Mulberry Street) in lower Manhattan for the monthly “Malta Walks” street ministry. Led by Francesca Tempesta, DM, members of the Order of Malta Auxiliary, and friends meet every third Tuesday of the month (@ 7:30pm) to prepare and distribute food to the homeless.

Arriving early, I was happy to see Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of Old St. Pat’s, back on his feet again, recovering nicely from his surgery. Stopping by to see how we were doing, Monsignor was in good spirits and wished us well before retiring. 

After introductions and niceties, we got down to business and formed an assembly line around the table, putting together some fifty parcels of ready-to-eat food (sandwiches, fruit, etc.) and toiletries (tooth-brushes, mouthwash, etc.). When finished, we each took several bags to hand out.

Reciting the Daily Prayer of the Order of Malta, our group took a commemorative photo before pounding the pavement. Breaking up into smaller groups, participants headed off in different directions to cover more ground. My companions and I decided to go north towards Union Square Park. 

Unfortunately, as a native New Yorker I’ve seen my fair share of homeless people; however, I don’t ever recall seeing this many before. I’m not sure if it’s because we’re actively looking for them or that times are really that much worse (I know I had to significantly tighten my belt over the past several years). Even one homeless person is too many, but the numbers were truly disturbing.

Speaking of disturbing, entering Union Square Park (which is never short of soapbox orators) we passed one particularly unsavory mattoid with a megaphone ranting about “white Christian hypocrites.” Typically oblivious to his own sordid bigotry and hypocrisy, the rabble-rouser continued his tirade as we were giving aid to the homeless. I was somewhat consoled by the fact that, aside from me, no one else seemed to be paying much attention to his inflammatory squawking.

Completing the task at hand, my companions and I gave away the last of our care packages to the needy before parting ways.

Anyone interested in supporting this noble endeavor can contact the Order of Malta Auxiliary at nycaux@orderofmaltaamerica.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

God Bless Francesca, the Order of Malta Auxiliary, and Msgr. Sakano for organizing the monthly walk, their hard work and generosity are truly inspiring. I am deeply honored to serve with such an outstanding group of people and excited to do my part and contribute in any way I can to this worthy initiative.

Evviva Maria! Celebrating the 127th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newark, NJ

Mass Ad orientem (towards the East) was concelebrated by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Bernard Hebda, Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, and the Very Rev. Cav. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Scenes from Sunday evening’s Feast Day Mass and procession at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey. (Photos by New York Scugnizzo and Anthony Scillia)

(L) Beautifully decorated High Altar with Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
(R) A shrine to Our Lady was erected by the Communion rail

After Mass, Our Lady is presented to the expectant crowd. Placed on a wagon, the statue was pulled through the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey

(Above & below) Presided by the Most Rev. Bernard Hebda, the procession wends its way through the neighborhood

Flags, society banners and standards add to the pageantry 

(Above & below) Members of the Congregation Maria SS. del Sacro Monte di Novi Velia Salerno di Jersey City, New Jersey show their support

(L) Our friend Stephen La Rocca, President of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza, with the Very Rev. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio. (R) A close up of the new Congregation Maria SS. del Sacro Monte standard

(Above & below) Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian
Order of Saint George and the Equestrian Order of the
Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem proudly served as honor guard 

HE Chancellor Pasquale Menna with Cavs. Vincent Gangone and John Napoli

(Above & below) Our friends from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem showed up in force 

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

The procession stops so residents can offer donations

Along the procession route, devotees set up statues
and generously offer water to participants

The Tony Neglia Band

The procession returns to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

After the Benediction, worshippers venerate the
veil of the Madonna di Montevergine