Brief Musings

Short on time, but itching to post

Chivalry

Having been a while since we last posted a “Ponderable Quote,” I thought we would start again with a few brief excerpts from Émile Théodore Léon Gautier’s (1832-1897) Chivalry: The Everyday Life of the Medieval Knight (Tumblr House, 2015). I just started reading the book, but I’ve already found plenty worth sharing. Here are a few choice bits:

There is more than one kind of Chivalry, and lance thrust are not everything! In default of the sword, we have the pen: failing the pen, speech: and in default of speech, honor, in our lives! (P. 6)

[Chivalry] is less an institution than an ideal.                                      Many volumes have been written upon this noble subject, and a few words will be sufficient to define clearly chivalry and the knight. "Chivalry is the Christian form of the military profession: the knight is the Christian soldier." (p. 7)

In legendary lore the embodiment of chivalry is Roland: in history it is Godfrey de Bouillon. There are no more worthy names than these. (p. 20)

This highly praised code has unfortunately never been formulated with sufficient clearness and it is too true that the pure gold of ancient chivalry was very quickly alloyed. In the twelfth century—one is too apt to forget the date—the romance of the Round Table spread amongst us the taste for a less wild but also a less manly chivalry. The elegancies of love in them occupied the place formerly reserved for the brutality of war and the spirit of adventure in them extinguished the spirit of the crusades. One will never know how much harm this cycle of the "Round Table" inflicted on us. It civilized us no doubt; but effeminated us. It took away from us our old aim, which was the tomb of Christ gained by blood and battle. For the austerities of the Supernatural it substituted the tinsel of the Marvelous. It is to this dangerous but charming literature that we owe the theatrical, the boastful, rash chivalry which proved so fatal during the Thirty Years War. It was against it and not against our old Epopœia that Cervantes pointed his pencil, and we must confess that some complaints of the great satirist were not without foundation. Thanks to this regrettable encroachment we now entertain a false idea of the true chivalry, which we confuse with a certain delicate and sometimes an excessive gallantry. The time has arrived to protest against such an error. (p. 22)

Holy Name Society

An unexpected, but greatly appreciated gift

Recently invited to a Holy Name Society meeting at the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette (8201 13th Ave.) in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, I was unexpectedly presented with a terrific hardback photo album capturing all the highlights from the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. A very thoughtful keepsake, the book brought back a lot of great memories of a supremely special day.

Even better than the album, I was happy to learn that the restored painting was finally mounted on the wall of the baptistery. Still abuzz about the Mass, the parish is serious about reestablishing this important southern Italian tradition and plans for next year’s celebration are already in the works.

The newly restored painting of Our Lady of the Rosary
of Pompeii now hangs in the baptistery

Personal Patrons

A curious friend asks: Who were the personal patrons "too numerous to name" in our recent post about Sant'Uberto? Not one to publish inquiries online, I made an exception this time because I regret not giving all my holy benefactors their due. In order of acquisition:

Santa Patrizia di Costantinopoli (St. Patricia); Sant’Antonio Abate (St. Anthony the Great); Santa Lucia Martire (St. Lucy); San Rocco (St. Roch); San Vito Martire (St. Vito); San Pantaleone Martire (St. Pantaleon); Santa Barbara di Nicomedia (St. Barbara); Sant’Eustachio Martire (St. Eustace); Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque); San Lorenzo Martire (St. Lawrence); Sant’Andrea Apostolo (St. Andrew the Apostle); San Bonifacio (St. Boniface); and Santa Geltrude la Grande (St. Gertrude the Great).

As for the “others” I alluded to in the list of martial saints, they are: San Giovanni da Capestrano (St. John of Capistrano); San Lorenzo da Brindisi (St. Lawrence); San Sebastiano Martire (St. Sebastian); San Vincenzo Martire (St. Vincent, the Martyr of Craco); and San Maurizio Martire (St. Maurice).

Christus Vincit

His Excellency Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s highly anticipated Christus Vincit: Christ’s Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age (Angelico Press, 2019) is now available at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 W 37th St.) in Manhattan. All set to buy a copy online, I picked one up after Sunday Mass instead. Since I’m currently reading Chivalry delivery speed was not really an issue, however if ever given the choice I prefer to shop locally. This is especially true when given the opportunity to support Holy Innocents, “The little Catholic Church around the corner” at the crossroads of the world.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, November 13, Feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Celebrating the Feast of Sant’Agrippino di Napoli

Sanfedisti enjoying the great outdoors
Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Saturday, November 9th — Gathering in the early morning at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan, members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) celebrated the Feast of Sant’Agrippino di Napoli with prayer, fellowship and a highly anticipated cultural excursion to Casa del Caciocavallo Farms (10 Orchard Dr.) in Gardiner, New York.

We came prepared to pray at Holy Innocents

Expecting a quiet opportunity for prayer and meditation at the church, we discovered a handful of parishioners already in the process of praying the 2,000 Hail Mary Devotion, which is offered every second Saturday of the month from 6am to 4pm. In addition to the Holy Rosary and our usual prayers of thanks and praise, we included petitions to Sant’Agrippino for the happy repose of the souls of the faithful departed.

Scenic Casa del Caciocavallo Farms

Deeply Committed to acts of Heroic Charity, the Sanfedisti regularly offer to God our satisfactory works and suffrages, as well as invoke the saints to assist the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

One of the stars of the show

After our supplications, we began our long trek Upstate, with a brief detour in Hoboken, New Jersey to pick-up a straggler. Once out of the city, our journey was all smooth sailing. Taking in the beautiful countryside and changing foliage, our party listened to music and discussed a wide range of topics, including the recent poor form and tumultuous atmosphere surrounding the Napoli football club. Partenopei fans to a man, our pessimism in the current squad proved prescient as the disappointing 0-0 draw later in the day against lowly Genoa confirmed. Since we’re adults and have way more important things to worry about, the team’s failure to get a result did not dampen the excitement of our trip.

Packing up the cheese

Welcomed to the CDC Farms by owner and cheese maker Freddy Destefano, we were brought to his modest warehouse, where the artisan caciocavallo is hung to age for no less than sixty days. Made with fresh curd from Hudson Valley cow’s milk, the tasty teardrop shaped cheese are heated and stretched by hand before being brined. Stocking up on the southern Italian delicacy, our group bought several cases to share and enjoy with family and friends back home. Unable to wait, we carved one up on the car ride home.

Loading our haul into the car

Having made good time, we were in no rush to return to the city, so we did a little exploring and ended up at Tony’s Place, a nearby sheep and goat farm our friend Frank Cicc’ has been patronizing over the past two decades for his freshly slaughtered paschal lamb. Originally butchers from Corona, Queens, Tony, his wife Emma, and their dog Lily warmly welcomed us into their home for some espresso with Sambuca. Before leaving, our gracious hosts let us explore their rustic farm and see some of their ruminant livestock.

Tony and Emma

Not quite over, our entertaining day trip continued back in Hoboken. Dropping off Cicc’ and his cases of cheese, we were invited in to join him for some caffè and a shot of Anice liqueur from Sassano (Alfonso Penna). When his daughter Annamaria learned about our little jaunt to Tony’s, she shared a childhood story of how her grandmother killed her pet rabbit for dinner. This prompted the rest of us to recall our own affecting stories of slaughtered pets. The death of Carmine’s beloved goat "Billy" was definitely the most graphic, if not the saddest.

This curious fellow wasn't camera shy

Bidding Cicc’ and Annamaria farewell, the rest of us moved on to Carmine’s workshop to unload his cheese and catch a glimpse of his vast collection of presepio pieces. An avid crèche builder, Carmine is famous in Hoboken for his annual Christmas display. In 2016 his work was featured in the Hoboken Historical Museum, who published the artist’s oral history chapbook, I Imagine My Town Being the Town Inside, Recollections of Carmine Percontino. Revealing his plans for this year's tableau, we got a sneak peek of his budding creation. Still early days, we’re sure it’s going to be magnificent.

A friendly little critter greeted us by the fence

Getting late and tired, the rest of us wanted to beat the traffic and get back to our loved ones in New York. Normally we would all go out for dinner or stay at someone’s house to fête the saint, but we were too full from all the cheese we ate in the car. Sant’Agrippino must have been with us, because we got home with minimal delays.

Snacking on some caciocavallo in the car. Imbibing some Anice at Cicc's house

Later that evening, when my appetite returned, I couldn’t resist another go at the caciocavallo. With one of our earlier conversations about the different ways we enjoy eating the prized cheese replaying in my head, I decided to roast mine over hot coals and spread it on some toasted bread. Paired with a cluster of grapes and a glass of Lacryma Christi wine from Feudi di San Gregorio, it was the perfect way to end our celebration of the glorious third-century Bishop of Naples. Viva Sant’Agrippino!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, November 11, Feast of San Martino di Tours

Carmine revealed his plans for this year's tableau 

He has an impressive collection of presepio pieces

A section of his outdoor crèche 

Photo of the Week: Monumento ai Caduti in Guerra, Salerno

Monument to the Fallen in Salerno

Remembering the Fallen — A Prayer for Veterans Day

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

In honor of Veterans Day I’m posting a Prayer for Deceased Veterans. The accompanying photo of the Sixty First District Memorial was taken at Greenwood Playground, my childhood stomping ground, located at the corner of East 5th Street and Greenwood Avenue, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Dedicated on November 11, 1922, the classical bronze relief by Charles Keck commemorates the 47 men of Draft Board District 61 who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI.

Prayer for Deceased Veterans

O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remembering the Faithful Departed at Holy Name Parish in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Absolution at the catafalque
Photos by new York Scugnizzo

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine: et lux perpétua luceat eis. V. In memória ætérna erit justus: ab auditióne mala non timébit. 

Absólve, Dómine, ánimas ómnium fidélium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictórum. V. Et gratia tua illis succurénte, mereántur evádere judicium ultiónis. V. Et lucis ætémæ beatitúdine pérfrui. (4 esdras 2:34, 35; Ps 111:7) 1 

Nearly thirty parishioners braved the cold and rain Thursday evening to celebrate a Sung Requiem Mass and Absolution at the Catafalque at Holy Name of Jesus Church (245 Prospect Park West) in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Offered for the Faithful Departed of the Parish, we solemnly prayed for the happy repose of the souls of our ancestors.

High altar and catafalque

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist Rev. Jason N. Espinal, who was dutifully assisted by MC Roberto Barrientos, Andres Barrientos, Jorge A. Fernandes Vidro and Brian Hilley. The motets and Mass setting were composed by choir director David Adam Smith and gloriously chanted by Catherine Hedberg, Peter Great, Ryland Angel, Art Bryan Manabat, Peter Walker, and Sean Salamon. 

Elated by the Mass, members and friends of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) went out for a celebratory meal and discussed, among other things, the current state of the Church. After dinner, a couple of us passed by nearby Green-Wood Cemetery to pray and gain the plenary indulgences offered between November 1-8 for the poor and forgotten Souls of Purgatory.

Thank you Rev. Lawrence D. Ryan, Pastor and members of the Holy Name congregation for your continued warmth and hospitality. Special thanks to Cindy Brolsma and organizers for your hard work and dedication. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith together.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, November 8th, Feast of the Four Crowned Martyrs

The catafalque, a symbolic funeral bier with black funeral pall and candles

Arriving early, we got to hear the choir practicing in the loft

Missalettes were generously provided by Brooklyn Latin Mass

The next Latin Mass celebrated at Holy Name Church will be the Titular Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus on Sunday, January 5th at 5:00PM.

* * *

(1) “Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. V. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not fear the evil hearing. 

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin. V. And by the help of Thy grace may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment. V. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

Remembering King Francesco I of the Two Sicilies

b. 14 August 1777 - d. 8 November 1830

In memory of King Francesco I of the Two Sicilies, we pray for the happy repose of his soul. Viva ‘o Rre!

Eternal rest grant unto His Majesty, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Celebrating the Feast of San Carlo Borromeo in Downtown Brooklyn

Viva San Carlo!

Monday afternoon I made a mini pilgrimage to St. Charles Borromeo Church (19 Sidney Pl.) in Brooklyn Heights for its Patronal Feast (Nov. 4th). Starting off at The Oratory Church of St. Boniface (109 Willoughby St.), my usual haunt in Downtown Brooklyn, I made a few intercessory prayers to St. Boniface and St. John Henry Newman before heading over to the other church.

After a short walk through the crowded streets, I discovered the old Neo-Gothic church covered with scaffolding and some homeless camped outside. Inside, I settled in one of the pews near the portrait St. Charles Borromeo to say my daily prayers and the Holy Rosary. Unfortunately, the murals and central stained glass window over the high altar were obstructed by the restoration work.

Icon of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Afterward, I circled the nave to ponder the Stations of the Cross and admire the high quality Munich- and Tyrolean-style stained glass windows. Pausing by the baptistry, I prayed beneath the window of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sadly, I noticed a lot of peeling paint and dingy paintings throughout.  

In addition to the windows, the church also boasts a handful of marble statues (e.g. Santa Rita da Cascia) in the sanctuary, a modern icon of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by the front entrance, and a magnificent Odell tracker organ dating from 1880 in the choir loft.

Before leaving, I met a friendly parishioner who gave me a brief history of the church and an uplifting update on the progress of the renovations. Though it may be awhile before they’re realized, I was happy to learn the Parish has great plans for the church. Viva San Carlo!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, November 6, Feast of the Bl. Martyrs of Astoria during the Spanish Civil War

Stained glass window above the baptistry depicting
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart of Jesus

New Books (November 2019)

Forthcoming titles that may be of interest to our readers. All are available at Amazon.com

• Recalcitrant Crusaders?: The Relationship Between Southern Italy and Sicily, Crusading and the Crusader States, c. 1060-1198 by Paula Z. Hailstone

Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: December 20, 2019
Hardcover: $155.00
Language: English
Pages: 304

Read description

• Designing Norman Sicily by Emily A. Winkler, Liam Fitzgerald and Andrew Small 

Publisher: Boydell Press
Publication Date: April 17, 2020
Hardcover: $99.00
Language: English
Pages: 256

Read description

Click here to see more books

Listing does not imply any endorsement

Celebrating the Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi

An art card depicting The Conversion of
St. Hubert I purchased at the Morgan
Library & Museum earlier this year

Great St. Hubert, you were passionate about hunting, but when touched by Divine Grace, you put down your bow and took up the collar of Priesthood. Known for your miracles and the conversion of hundreds, you convinced others to worship and glorify Our Lord. Moved by your example, I implore your help. I ask for the Grace to follow in your footsteps and become a passionate disciple of Christ. Amen. 

Following Sunday Mass at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan, members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) made our way to a nearby restaurant to celebrate the Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi (St. Hubert of Liège), the patron saint of hunters. Unfortunately, the commuter nightmare that is the New York City Marathon prevented some from joining in. With us in spirit, we kept them in our prayers.

God bless my brethren who always indulge me whenever I want to pay homage to a saint, even a relatively unknown one like Sant’Uberto, in order to satisfy some personal vow or devotion. Admittedly, I wasn’t too familiar with the Apostle of the Ardennes until I saw him mentioned on an episode of Tumblar House's Off the Menu podcast with Vincent Frankini and the irrepressible Charles A. Coulombe, whose ebullient description of the holiday got me excited about the Saint.

According to tradition, Uberto (c. 656-727) turned from God after the untimely death of his wife. Withdrawing from society and his faith, the distraught nobleman lost himself in the hunt. On Good Friday morning, he came upon a magnificent white stag with a gleaming cross between its antlers. Mesmerized by the great beast, he heard a voice say, “Hubert, unless thou turns to the Lord, and leads a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell.” Renouncing his wealth and titles, he straightened out his life and joined the priesthood, eventually becoming the first Bishop of Liège (Leodicum) in the eastern Frankish Kingdom of Austrasia.

As far as I can tell, the cult of Sant’Uberto is not all that widespread in southern Italy. However, having just commemorated All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, not to mention the month of November being dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, my recent ruminations about the saints and my ancestors were still fresh in my head. The Feast was a golden opportunity for me to venerate Sant’Uberto, as well as honor the memory of my father, who was an avid hunter.

While I love all the saints, by my nature I find myself drawn to certain ones. For example, the martial aspects of San Michele Arcangelo, San Giorgio Martire, and San Martino di Tours, among others, appeal to me on a visceral level. Not because I style myself a great warrior or have a military background, but because I strive to emulate the ascetic and noble ideals of knightly chivalry and honor they personify.

In contrast, San Tommaso d’Aquino, San Alfonso Maria de Liguori, San Benedetto da Nursia, and San Bernardo di Chiaravalle, appeal to me on a more intellectual level. Reading the masterful works of the Doctors and Fathers of the Church has been life changing and inspirational to say the least, especially now as I transition to a less active and more contemplative way of life.

My devotion to San Longino Martire, Santa Maria Maddalena, and Beato Bartolo Longo stems from my own less than admirable past. They remind me that with enough prayer and penance, there is a glimmer of hope that even a sinner like me can be redeemed.

Some, like the Infant of Prague, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, San Giovanni Battista, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Joan of Arc, have deep familial and childhood ties; while others, too numerous to name here, were adopted later in life for innermost reasons. I count Sant’Uberto among them.

After dinner, we stopped by a pub
for a celebratory beer. Santè!

Undoubtedly, my affinity to the glorious huntsman derives from my own upbringing and experiences. If I may be so bold, I feel a sense of familiarity with him. Though born and bred in Brooklyn, I was blessed with a family that loved the great outdoors and went hiking, fishing, foraging, and camping all the time. Taught to shoot a bow and rifle, a healthy respect and appreciation for nature was instilled in me at an early age. Similarly, I experienced tragedy, went through a period of isolation and doubt, and strayed from the faith. Needless to say, my reversion was far less dramatic than the Saint’s.

A most welcome addition to my extended saintly family, Sant’Uberto will fit right in with my long list of personal patrons. Raising a pint of Belgian beer, and hopefully in the future over a more suitable and thematic meal (venison, wild boar, etc.), I will regularly petition the Holy Hunter to intercede on behalf of my father, his hunting buddies, and the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory. Viva Sant’Uberto!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, Monday, November 4th, Feast of St. Charles Borromeo

Feast of San Carlo Borromeo

San Carlo Borromeo, ora pro nobis

November 4th is the Feast of San Carlo Borromeo (1538-1584), Bishop and Confessor. Patron saint of seminarians, catechists, bishops and cardinals, he was a central figure in the Council of Trent and many of the reforms of the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation.

In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer for Priests by Saint Charles Borromeo. The accompanying photo of the right altar panel depicting the great saint was taken at the Cappella delle Anime al Purgatorio (Chapel of the Souls of Purgatory) during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Palatine Chapel inside the Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) in Napoli. Evviva San Carlo Borromeo! 

Prayer for Priests by Saint Charles Borromeo 

O Holy Mother of God, pray for the priests your Son has chosen to serve the Church. Help them, by your intercession, to be holy, zealous, and chaste. Make them models of virtue in the service of God's people. Help them be pious in meditation, efficacious in preaching, and zealous in the daily offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Help them administer the Sacraments with love and joy. Amen.

Photo of the Week: Ruins of Pompeii

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi

Sant'Uberto di Liegi, ora pro nobis

November 3rd is the Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi (St. Hubert of Liège), Bishop and Confessor. Known as the "Apostle of the Ardennes," he is the patron saint of hunters. According to tradition, Sant’Uberto (circa 656-727) turned from God after the untimely death of his wife. Withdrawing from society and abandoning his faith, the distraught Frankish nobleman lost himself in the hunt. One Good Friday, he came upon a magnificent white stag with a radiant cross shining between its antlers. Mesmerized by the great beast, he heard a voice say, “Hubert, unless thou turns to the Lord, and leads a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell.” Renouncing his wealth and titles, he straightened out his life and joined the priesthood, eventually becoming the first Bishop of Leodicum (now Liège) in the eastern Frankish Kingdom of Austrasia.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Hubert of Liège. Pictured is my makeshift shrine with a photo of my father (checkered shirt) and friends on a successful boar hunt, and a framed postcard depicting The Conversion of St. Hubert (The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, M. 917, p. 256, Utrecht, Netherlands, about 1440) I purchased at the Pierpont Morgan Library & Museum. Evviva Sant’Uberto!

Prayer to St. Hubert of Liège

Great St. Hubert, you were passionate about hunting, but when touched by Divine Grace, you put down your bow and took up the collar of Priesthood. Known for your miracles and the conversion of hundreds, you convinced others to worship and glorify Our Lord. Moved by your example, I implore your help. I ask for the Grace to follow in your footsteps and become a passionate disciple of Christ. Amen.

Celebrating All Souls Day With My Ancestors

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Saturday morning I visited the cemetery to be with my parents, grandparents, and other dearly departed on All Souls Day. A beautiful tradition, this was the first since my father’s passing. An emotional year to date, it was extremely gratifying to commune with him and my forbears, the way he taught me, in relative tranquility.

Naturally, I ran into a few elderly family members and friends who were visiting their own (and our shared) dead. Offering flowers and prayers, we made the rounds and visited each of our loved ones. As is the custom, we also prayed for all the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

As they left, my kith and kin each invited me to join them for lunch, but since I was fasting, I cordially declined and carried on with my prayers. A little behind in my visits of late, I just wanted to catch up and spend more quality time with those I sorely miss.

Strange as it may sound, this ritual is one of the main reasons I haven’t left New York City and it's seedy environs yet.(1) The idea of abandoning their graves is very upsetting to me. Sure I can pray for them anywhere, in fact a day doesn’t go by that I don’t, but it doesn’t feel nearly as intimate then when I’m by their graveside. Requiescant in pace.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, November 2nd, The Feast of All Souls

(1) The other problem is finding a tolerable location with a sizable Duosiciliani community and regular access to the traditional Latin Mass.

Celebrating the 118th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco, in Little Italy, New York

Viva San Vincenzo!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

A Look at Sunday’s cold and rainy 118th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo Martire at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) in Little Italy, New York.

Thank you Fred Spero, Stephen La Rocca and all the members of the Craco Society for your hard work and dedication. As always, it was a tremendous pleasure to celebrate our faith and culture together. Viva San Vincenzo!

The 1901 statue of San Vincenzo

(Above & below) Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Nicholas Grieco  

Lectors Michael Salomone and Patrick Colabella reading the Sacred Scriptures

During his sermon, Msgr. Grieco spoke at length about San Vincenzo 

(L) Joseph Rinaldi proclaiming the intercessions. (R.) Cantor Susan Mello
sang a glorious rendition of Inno a San Vincenzo Martire

After Mass, devotees venerate San Vincenzo

Donations are pinned onto the 1930s era statue of San Vincenzo 

Our buddies Konstantinos with the standing statue
and Stephen La Rocca with the relic of San Vincenzo

Children venerating the relic

Cav. John Napoli of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George with dear friends, Tony, Anna, and Konstantinos Mavrianos-Cesare 

San Rocco Society brethren, Cav. Napoli with
Cav. Paul Tocci of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Viva Sant'Angelo!

After Mass, I had the privilege of helping carry the statue of Sant'Angelo d’Acri from his niche to the bye alter for the Mass in the Saint’s honor.