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

A Look at the 2017 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Ave Maria!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Scenes from Sunday's Feast Day Mass and procession at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

After Mass, the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was taken from the outdoor shrine and placed on the processional float

Crowns affixed, the statue was moved onto the dais

Devotees offer flowers and donations to Our Lady

San Paolino di Nola's giglio stands sentinel in the distance.

(Above & below) Some details from this year's giglio 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Sant'Antonio da Padova

(Above & below) With some time to kill before the procession, I took the opportunity to visit the chapel, light a few candles and say my prayers

With Gregorian chant in the background, the chapel was an oasis of serenity

(L) In the chapel we ran into our friend Mario Zollo, who was venerating the Madonna della Misericordia. (R) Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the nave

Sisters of Life enjoying the festivities

(L) Our pal Achille Pirro led the way with the Our the Lady of Mt. Carmel Standard. (R) Pastor Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio

Danny Vecchiano and the Giglio Band

The procession passes Mount Carmel Triangle, a memorial for the original location of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

This year's procession was expanded to Bedford Avenue. Returning on Driggs Avenue we passed the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration

Photo of the Week: Grand Staircase with Statue of HM King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies

Grand Staircase with statue of HM King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies by Antonio Canova, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Compra Sud — La Locanda

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

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Praying the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Grotto in Rosebank, Staten Island

Evviva Maria!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Beautiful Mother, listening virgin, open our hearts so that we may learn to listen to the words of your Son. Beautiful Mother, listening virgin, open our hearts and minds that we may learn to listen to the words of your Son and keep them. Mother so tender, pure of heart, strengthen us in our resolve.

For the seventh day of the Novena, I made my way to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto in Rosebank, Staten Island to say my devotional prayers. Thankfully, the threat of rain never materialized, and I was able to light my votive candles, meditate and pray for the happy repose of my ancestors in relative tranquility. 

A peaceful oasis, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto

Granite and bronze monument dedicated to Vito Louis Russo

Nooks and crannies reveal tiny treasures

(L) Thomas Tedesco's St. Anthony shrine. (R) Memorial for Rocco F. Comfort, who was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge in Germany on Jan. 18, 1945

The 114th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Rosebank, Staten Island runs from July 13th—16th and July 20th—23rd. Mass will be celebrated Sunday, July 16th at the Church of St. Joseph (463 Tompkins Avenue) at 12pm. The procession with the Larry Laurenzano Festival Band will begin at the grotto (36 Amity Street) at 9am and make its way through Rosebank to 2pm.

Getting a Head Start on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Evviva Maria!

Unable to wait for Sunday's Feast Day Mass, I started my celebration for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel a little early Tuesday evening and stopped by the outdoor shrine at the Shrine Church of Our lady of Mount Carmel (275 N 8th St.) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Installed by the church entrance this year, I pinned my donation onto the statue of the Blessed Mother, lit a votive candle and made my usual intercessory prayers for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors before getting prayer cards and scapulars for friends and loved-ones.

Curious to see how the church renovations turned out, I was more than a little disappointed to see so many saints missing from the side chapel. I hope they are just being restored and will return to their rightful spots. It would be a huge letdown to lose all those beautiful statues.

This year's giglio and boat (Photos by New York Scugnizzo)

For the first time in many years I did not make it to Giglio Sunday, so before leaving I made it a point to visit the boat and spire, and they were as beautiful as ever. Knowing the zealousness of the paranza, I’m sure the lift was spectacular. Just thinking about the throng of spirited revelers cheering on the men as they shouldered the boat and giglio in front of the church gave me gooseflesh. The famed “Double Lift” is unquestionably the pinnacle of this glorious spectacle.

Luckily, there will be another lift this Saturday, July 15th during Old-Timers Day at 4pm. The festival comes to a close Sunday, July 16th on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mass will be celebrated at 11AM, procession to follow.

Photo of the Week: Statue of the Death of Saint Benedict of Nursia at Montecassino Abbey

The death of St. Benedict of Nursia in the gardens
of Montecassino Abbey. Photo by New York Scugnizzo

A Look at Giglio Sunday 2017

Evviva San Paolino di Nola!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Giordano

Thanks Andrew for sharing your wonderful photos of Giglio Sunday at the 2017 Feast of San Paolino di Nola and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Evviva San Paolino!

(Above & below) The giglio slowly dances its way through the throng 

Msgr. Gigantiello joins the Giglio Band on the giglio

(Above & below) The Grand Turk Anthony Allocco
and his crew sail high above the cheering crowd 

A peek at the newly renovated Saints' chapel