Memorial Mass for HM Francesco II, King of the Two Sicilies, in Newark, New Jersey

1860 portrait of HM King Francesco II di Borbone (1836-1894)
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Cav. John Napoli

On what had to be the coldest night of the year, the Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George gathered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey Saturday evening for the annual memorial Mass to our late beloved Grand Master, HM Francesco II di Borbone, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Joined by our friends from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Mass ad orientem was celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio, chaplain in the Order and pastor of the beautiful church. 

Dressed in full regalia—and in fidelity to the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies—the Knights proudly processed with the King’s portrait and the national flag of the Kingdom. His Majesty was mentioned during the Mass Intentions and a stirring rendition of Giovanni Paisiello’s Inno al Re, the National Anthem of the Two Sicilies, was played on the organ during the concluding rite.

Following Mass, our esteemed Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola invited everyone back to the recently renovated parish center to partake in a festive Christmas dinner offered by the Constantinian Order. Each Knight and Dame brought a homemade dish to the party for all to enjoy. 

Mass ad orientem was celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio

After Monsignor said grace, guests helped themselves to the terrific spread replete with Duesiciliano delicacies, such as Stufati di Teggiano, Caponata alla Siciliana and a phenominal Timballo del Gattopardo. While sampling the delicious fare, partygoers mingled and enjoyed the traditional Neapolitan Christmas songs from Cav. Patrick O'Boyle's extensive personal collection.

Our dear friends from Tribeca Vini generously donated an impressive selection of wines from southern Italy, including a delightful Aglianico del Vulture by Vigne Mastrodomenico from Basilicata, which paired well with the array of rich dishes we enjoyed.

The Beautifully decorated high altar and portrait of the King and National Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the sanctuary

For dessert we indulged our sweet tooth with a little Cassata alla Siciliana, Struffoli Napoletani, assorted cookies and Pizzelle di Ortona, a thin crispy wafer dusted with powdered sugar. Naturally, this was followed by caffè, Averna, Vecchio Amaro del Capo, and eventually some long goodbyes.

All-in-all it was a joyous night filled with good fellowship and much merriment. 

After Mass, HE Cav. John M. Viola, Delegate of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George in North America, addresses the congregation

Three cheers to our Confratello Cav. Vincent Gangone for organizing the fête. Vincent’s hard work and dedication to our community is an inspiration to us all. Special thanks to Msgr. Ambrosio and all the members of the congregation for your tremendous warmth and hospitality. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith and culture together. Buon Natale! Buon Anno! and Viva ‘o Rre!

(Above & below) Cavalieri, Chaplains and Altar Servers celebrate the annual
Mass for the Repose of the Soul of HM King Francis II of the Two Sicilies

(L-R) Their Excellencies John Viola & Chancellor Pasquale Menna with Cavalieri
Thomas Crane, Charles Sant'Elia, Thomas Rossi and John Napoli

Caponata alla Siciliana

Focaccia Molfettese

Panelle Palermitane

Pizza di scarola alla Napoletana

Stufati di Teggiano 

Timballo del Gattopardo

Mos Aglianico del Vulture and Vecchio Amaro del Capo

Pizzelle di Ortona

Struffoli Napoletani

Beautiful baby Jesus centerpiece

Their Excellencies Chancellor Pasquale Menna
and US Delegate John Viola with Cav. Vincent Gangone

Gabriela and Anthony Privetera 

Cavalieri Charles Sant'Elia and Thomas Barra

Cavalieri John Napoli and Thomas Crane

Photo of the Week: Sanctuary and High Altar at the Church of Santo Spirito dei Napoletani in Rome

Sanctuary and high altar at the Church of Santo Spirito dei Napoletani in Rome
Photo courtesy of HE Cav. John M. Viola

New Book — 'Natural Magick: In Twenty Books' by Giambattista Della Porta

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

• Natural Magick: In Twenty Books by Giambattista Della Porta

Publisher: Forgotten Books
Publication Date: November 26, 2017
Hardcover: $32.72
Paperback: $16.57
Language: English
Pages: NA

Read description

Click here to see more books

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Chiara!

HRH was born in Rome in 2005

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

Happy Birthday Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto! May you be filled with peace, joy and happiness all year round! Auguri!

Top 10 Posts of 2017

Aside from surpassing one million views on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, highlights from 2017 include: (Top row) Celebrating the 2nd Annual Feast of San Michele Arcangelo; celebrating Nicole and John Viola's Wedding; venerating the relic of the True Cross during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; (bottom row) carrying San Gennaro on his Feast Day in Little Italy; seeing John T. La Barbera and Nando Citarella perform together in Little Italy; and celebrating the 128th Annual Feast of San Rocco

Top Ten Posts:
01 Commemorating the Battle of Bitonto in NYC
02 A Review of Matteo Garrone’s “Tale of Tales,” based on the book by Giambattista Basile
03 Arba Sicula Presents an Evening of Sicilian Music, Poetry and Dance at St. John’s University
04 Chef Giuseppe Marrone Takes the Helm at ACQUA Restaurant and Wine Bar at Peck Slip, NYC
05 Celebrating Pasquetta at the Our Lady of the Snow Sagra della Pizza Chiena (Pizza Rustica Festival)
06 Days of Remembrance in Gaeta, City of Memory
07 Auxiliary Malta Walks in NYC, July 2017
08 Il Regno’s 2017 Weekend Getaway
09 Acqua Restaurant and Wine Bar Fall Party
10 Celebrating Italian Heritage Month with the Associazione Culturale Pugliese Figli Maria SS. Addolorata in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Honorable mention:
11 Risorgimento Lecture and Plaque Unveiling at the Italian American Museum
12 The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Investiture Mass in Washington DC
13 A Look at the National Italian American Foundation’s 42nd Anniversary Expo and Gala

Click here to see last year’s results

Feast of Santa Caterina Volpicelli

Santa Caterina Volpicelli, ora pro nobis

December 28th is the Feast of Santa Caterina Volpicelli, founder of the Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart. Born into an upper middle-class family in Naples on January 21, 1839, Caterina gave up the bourgeois lifestyle for the grace of a religious vocation. In 1873—with the approval of the Cardinal Archbishop of Naples, the Servant of God Sisto Riario Sforza—she founded the Institute of Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart, a confraternity dedicated to contemplation and many charitable works. Among these were the establishment of orphanages, libraries and chapels. During a cholera outbreak in 1884, Caterina and the handmaidens distinguished themselves in ministering to the needs of the victims. They were granted a "decree of praise" from Pope Leo XIII on June 13, 1890. 

Caterina Volpicelli died at the age of 55 on December 28, 1894. She was declared venerable by Pope Pius XII on March 25, 1945 and proclaimed blessed by Pope John Paul II on April 29, 2001. Recognizing a miracle attributed to her intercession, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Caterina on April 26, 2009. In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to Saint Caterina Volpicelli. Evviva Santa Caterina Volpicelli!

Prayer to Saint Caterina Volpicelli

Saint Catherine, mother of young people and children, sister of the poor, friend of families, confidant of those who, eager to meet Christ, rely on your prayer and your advice, show yourself to us today, mother, sister, friend and confidant; help guide us on the paths of holiness. Teach us to love the Eucharist and the Church. Grant us wisdom of heart and mind. Feed in us deep faith, perfect charity and living hope. Make us love Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as you loved them. Amen.

Further reading: Caterina Volpicelli (1839-1894)

La Vigilia and Other Christmas Traditions

Baccalà with tomato, onion and olives
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Giovanni di Napoli

Like many Duesiciliano Americans, my family keeps the tradition of La Vigilia di Natale, the southern Italian ritual of eating seafood and eschewing meat on Christmas Eve. Despite regular and varied claims to authenticity, I believe the so-called Festa dei sette pesci, or the Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a recent fabrication. Though more lavish then in the past, according to our matriarchs there were never a set number of dishes served. We simply ate what we could afford, and what was fresh and available.

(Above and below) Raw clams and mussels for starters

Today, we normally have shrimp, calamari (squid), clams, mussels and scungilli (whelk), which all can be prepared in a variety of ways. Capitone fritto alla napoletana (fried eel) use to be the main course, but nowadays—since the passing of my grandparents—we sometimes have aragosta (lobster), ricci di mare (sea urchin) or baccalà (salt cod).

Insalata di mare

Fritto misto di mare

As always, the ladies outdid themselves and treated us to another memorable dinner.

Following the fish bonanza was another southern Italian specialty: panzerotti, delicious deep fried crescent-shaped dough filled with mozzarella and tomato; ricotta; or onions and capers.

Gamberoni alla griglia

Three different types of Panzerotti

Next came fruit, roasted chestnuts, caffè and an assortment of delicious sweets, including Pasticciotti Leccesi and struffoli, the quintessential Neapolitan Christmas dessert that will satisfy the most stubborn sweet tooth. There is no panettone in my house.

Struffoli, Neapolitan honey fritters

The vigil, of course, is not just about food, it's also about family and faith.

After dinner we played games (tombola) with the kids and attended Midnight Mass in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Afterward, we walked through the neighborhood to see the spectacular Christmas decorations. My family has been doing this for as long as I can remember, though originally it was in East New York, Brooklyn, where my maternal grand- and great-grandparents were from.

Dad's American style Christmas ham with pineapple rings

Christmas morning we exchanged presents, made the rounds and visited family and friends until dinnertime. No less extravagant than the Eve, Christmas dinner was a culinary tour de force with plenty of hot and cold antipasti, insalata, pizza, baked manicotti and a American-style Christmas ham. Fruit, dessert and caffè complete the meal.

Sicilian Torroncino and Amaro del Capo from Calabria

Not quite finished yet, December 26th is Saint Stephen's Day. In honor of the Feast of Santo Stefano, the first martyr (and my saintly Confirmation namesake), we usually celebrate with torrone, a sticky nougat candy made from honey, nuts and egg whites that dates back to Roman times. I like mine with a glass of Strega or Amaro. Buon Natale!

Amended 2017

Photo of the Week: The Presepio at the Chiesa dello Santo Spirito dei Napoletani in Rome

Presepio at the Church of Santo Spirito dei Napoletani in Rome
Photo courtesy of HE Cav. John M. Viola

NYC's Auxiliary Malta Walk, December 2017

After saying the Daily Prayer to the Order of Malta 
volunteers took a group photo before hitting the pavement
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

By Cav. John Napoli

Meeting every third Tuesday of the month (@7:30pm) at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house (263 Mulberry Street), a group of resolute volunteers prepare and distribute food to the homeless. Led by Dama Francesca Tempesta, we make our way around the Bowery, in Manhattan's Lower East Side, and hand out some 50 care packages with ready-to-eat food (sandwiches, fruit, etc.) and toiletries (toothbrushes, mouthwash, etc.). Knit hats and scarves are included during the cold winter months.

Volunteers busy preparing the care packages

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

Cav. Charles Sant'Elia (right) of the Sacred Military
Constantinian Order of St. George contributes hats and scarves
with Dr. Michael Espiritu and Francesca Tempesta, DM

God Bless Francesca, the Order of Malta Auxiliary, and Msgr. Donald Sakano, Pastor of Old St. Pat's, 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 committed to do my part and contribute in any way I can to this worthy cause.

Outdoor Presepe Napoletano in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

If you’re planning to visit the spectacular Dyker Lights Christmas light displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, be sure to stop by John Miniero’s house on 14th Avenue, between 79th and 80th Streets, to see his wondrous annual outdoor prespio. The Neapolitan Christmas tradition has been a neighborhood favorite for many years and continues to amaze onlookers with its whimsy and complexity.

A Look at the 2017 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Angel Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Photo of the Week: Campanile della Cattedrale di Sorrento

A view of the Sorrento Cathedral's bell tower along the
Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani. Photo by New York Scugnizzo