San Marco Evangelista, ora pro nobis |
April 25, 2024
Feast of San Marco Evangelista
Feast of the Madonna delle Armi
The interior of the Sanctuary |
Stone with the Madonna and Child |
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to the Madonna dell armi in Italian. The prayer comes courtesy of the Santuario Madonna delle Armi.
Preghiera alla Madonna delle armi
Vergine purissima, fiore di consolazione, luce del meriggio adorna di tutte le gemme, ci insegni l’umiltà del cuore. Davanti alla Tua immagine impressa su una pietra da mano non umana, per secoli venerata, fedeli devoti, ti invochiamo. Madre del silenzio, ci parli di speranza. Tu, nell’ombra dell’Altissimo, hai detto il tuo eccomi e sei redentrice insieme al Tuo Figlio Gesù, sole di giustizia giudizio per il mondo. Madre della Chiesa, in tua compagnia, rimaniamo nell’amore anche sotto la croce, quando tutto è perduto. Madre dei peccatori, ci richiami nel tuo abbraccio se andiamo per sentieri traversi smarriti dalle tenebre del dubbio e ci attendi, maestra della pazienza. Tu, Vergine dell’attesa, riempi i nostri giorni dell’opera dello Spirito Santo. Egli, con il Padre e il Figlio, ci genera come fratelli ci nutre di vita eterna ci sostiene nell’attesa del Signore quando verrà nella gloria per attirarci alla vita eterna. Amen
The Greater Rogations
Photo by New York Scugnizzo |
Though it shares the day with the Feast of San Marco Evangelista the two commemorations are not directly connected. An ancient tradition dating back to pagan times, the custom, like Ember Days, supplanted an old Roman festival (in this case the Robigalia) with a sanctified Christian observance. It was revitalized in the 6th century by St. Pope Gregory the Great to invoke God’s mercy and ask for a bountiful harvest.
The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday are the Lesser Rogation Days, or Litania Minor (Minor Litanies). First introduced in Gaul in the 5th century by St. Mamertus of Vienne to appease Our Lord and protect against natural disasters such as fire, earthquakes and blight, the three days in time became universal and helped prepare the faithful for the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Similarly, they are kept with fasting, processions and prayer.
In celebration, I’m posting the anthem and prayer for Rogation Days from Blessed Be God: A Complete Catholic Prayer Book by Very Rev. Charles J. Callan, OP., S.T.M. and Very Rev. John A. McHugh, OP., S.T.M (Preserving Christian Publications, 2010). The accompanying photo of painted ceramic tiles depicting a procession was taken in Vietri Sul Mare, Salerno.
Prayer for Rogation Days
Ant. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; for every one that sketch receiveth and he he that seekers finders, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
V. He heard my voice from His holy temple.
R. And my cry before Him came into His ears.
Let us pray
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who in our affliction confide in Thy loving kindness, may be ever defended by Thy protection against all adversity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Infant Jesus of Prague Chaplet
O Infant Jesus, Whose truth enlightens the darkness of our heart, have mercy on us |
Infant Jesus of Prague Chaplet* www.sistersofcarmel.com
Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Thy Cross and I accept all the crosses Thou wilt be pleased to send me. Adorable Trinity, I offer Thee for the glory of Thy Holy Name of God, all the adorations of the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus.
(3x) “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” and pray The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
(12x) “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” and pray The Angelical Salutation (Hail Mary)
Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us. Amen.
April 24, 2024
Domenico Cimarosa: Overtures Arranged for Mandolin Ensemble
• Domenico Cimarosa: Overtures Arranged for Mandolin Ensemble performed by Quintetto a Plettro "Giuseppe Anedda"
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Audio CD: $13.99
Number of Discs: 1
Available at Amazon.com
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New Book: I Borbone delle Due Sicilie e San Giorgio
New title that may be of interest to our readers. Available at Effigi.com
• I Borbone delle Due Sicilie e San Giorgio di Alessio Varisco
Publisher: Edizioni Effigi | Domus Templi
Publication Date: 2020
Paperback: €25.00
Language: Italian
Pages: 336
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Listing does not imply any endorsement
April 23, 2024
Differentiated Autonomy Spoken About at Montecitorio
Fiore Marro and Pino Aprile at the Differentiated Autonomy Conference |
By Fiore Marro, President of the Comitati Due Sicilie
Translated by Charles Sant’Elia
Thanks to the invitation of the honorable Alessandro Caramiello, upon suggestion of the Comitati Due Sicilie representative in Giugliano, Campania, Espedito Basile, I was present at the meeting on differentiated autonomy which took place on 9 April 2024 in the Sala della Regina in the Montecitorio Palace [1]; the symposium was convened and organized by the honorable Caramiello himself, always attentive to the dialogue between the institutions and the territory.
It was nice to embrace again Luca Pepe the once very young meridionalista who is today a first rate journalist, who wisely moderated the conference.
The topic for in-depth analysis, differentiated autonomy, a central question in current internal politics in the nation but even more so for the future it would design for Italians should it be approved by Parliament, was detailed according to the views of profound and diverse observers.
Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies honorable Sergio Costa introduced the work, underscoring how much the system of differentiated autonomy regards the grasp itself of the Italian Republic. He further explained that there already exists an inequality between north and south, as far as for a citizen of the north the state spends 17,621 €, while for a citizen of the south 13,613 € on an annual basis, thus there is a difference in spending of about 80 billion. If the law on differentiated autonomy were approved now, these 80 billion euros would be added to the 190 billion euros which would be subtracted from the South. It is evident that it would no longer be possible to assure any type of basic service in the southern regions and thus taxes would need to be raised, but raising taxes would diminish the spending capacity of southern citizens and gradually would generate that vicious cycle that would lead to the emigration of southerners to the north, impoverishing the South of every resource, including humans.
The Vice President of the Chamber, formerly minister for the environment, quipped in his concluding remarks with a rather specific question: why did one want the unification of Italy if now one is doing everything to divide it? The response in our humble opinion is simple: back then one wanted Italy in order to drain the coffers of the flourishing Two Sicilies in favor of the Savoys, today one divides it because one has scraped the bottom and there is nothing left to pick clean in the South.Unfurling the flag of the Kingdom of the
Two Sicilies inside Montecitorio
Subsequently honorable Caramiello took the floor, explaining he was the president of the parliamentary intergroup South Development, vulnerable areas and minor islands, which is organizing a series of events to compose and represent the south of Italy. This group is represented by 53 members of parliament of all political currents which work on common topics. Unfortunately however, today’s topic is not considered a common one, but a divisive one. The Lega Nord, in its inception, affirmed that if they didn’t reach secession they would become Romans and they are achieving that, in fact if the reform of the bill, already passed in the Senate, passes in the Chamber as well, it will be over for the South. Nonetheless there is no will for a dialogue because now that the hearings took place, when Professor Chieffi who took apart the law on autonomy line by line was heard, he received no response from Calderoli, but rather received the usual insults of the type “the Neapolitan who cries and *****”.
The presentations of the constitutional experts were touching for those who love the Italian Constitution, there was a barrage on the part of the speakers against this bill which ever more resembles an assault, they rattled off topics and quibbles, which appear can block from the start this wholly Padanian idea of turning upside down the Italian political system; the problem remains, in our humble opinion, that while here one studies the illness, the patient dies, also because those who presented this bill hold the majority in Parliament and thus can calmly proceed with their own destructionist attempt.
The one who for a time lapse, gave strength again to southern hopes on the other hand, was our dear Pino Aprile, who, in the guise of a reborn Beneventano del Bosco, loudly and with all his soul harangued a harsh criticism against those who brought forth this infamy. Important for the undersigned, was the moment in which the identitarian writer held forth the idea that the South, could indeed benefit from a potential division of the Italic territory, perhaps not immediately, but in the span of a few years.
The South of Italy was decided upon manu militari, but only for a mere question of economics and finance, and above all so as to demolish the Bourbon customs duties, paradoxically this idea of regional differentiated autonomy in our humble opinion could be a sort of return to the past, by reproposing with specific laws a sort of regional customs duty, as far as concerns the revenue of certain products of exclusive Padanian production. The solution is at hand, posterity shall judge.
Notes
[1] Montecitorio, the palace in Rome housing the Italian Chamber of Deputies, designed by Bernini and Fontana and originally built in the 17th century for Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, and which formerly housed the Papal law courts and city administration during the time of the Papal States. After the annexation of Rome and transfer of the capital of Italy in 1870 it was seized and used as the Chamber of Deputies.
Feast of San Giorgio Martire
San Giorgio Martire, ora pro nobis |
April 22, 2024
A Sneak Peek Inside New York City’s Forthcoming Italian American Emporium
Entrance to the Italian American Emporium on Mulberry Street |
Looking forward to the soft opening in late May or early June, we wish our dear friend John and his partners much love and success in this exciting new venture.
Entrance to Red Sauce Studio on Grand Street |
(L) Neon corner sign. (R) Antique cash register (just for show) |
A side view of the ornate register |
Owner, John Viola gave us a tour of the impressive facilities |
The t-shirt bar |
Sicilian carrettu themed display table |
This uninstalled chandelier will be decorated with Neapolitan cornetti and mano fico amulets |
Ornate porcelain chandelier |
An old-fashion chandelier |
(L) The AI interactive "oral history booth." (R) Purely decorative antique cigarette machine |
A look at the brands of cigarettes the machine once dispensed |
An antique oven dominates the kitchenware section |
John's old dining room table now serves as a display table |
The register counter |
Sabino, John and Rocco getting comfortable in their new home |
Leather booth in Red Sauce Studio |
Floor mat outside the studio |
Floor mat beneath the t-shirt bar |
April 21, 2024
Natale di Roma
Feast of Sant’Anselmo d’Aosta
Sant'Anselmo d'Aosta, ora pro nobis |
Prayer by St. Anselm
O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen
Observing the 101st Annual National Coin Week
Sitting on these rolls for awhile now, I finally started going through them |
Just the other day, while sifting through rolls of 1940s pennies I found a silver 25 öre coin from Sweden. Dated 1897, the obverse has the crowned monogram of King Oscar II surrounded by the three crowns of Sweden and the Royal Family’s motto “BRÖDRAFOLKENS VÄL” (the welfare of the brother peoples). Smooth edged, the reverse has the value (25 öre) within a laurel wreath with the date below. Not in great condition, someone punched a hole through it to make a pendant out of it.
April 20, 2024
Feast of Sant’Agnese di Montepulciano
Sant'Agnese di Montepulciano, ora pro nobis |
Deus, qui sponsam tuam Agnetem miro decorasti orationis ardore, concede ut eius imitatione, tibi mentibus semper intenti, copiosum pietatis fructum exinde consequi valeamus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
At fifteen she was chosen by her novice mistress Sister Margherita to help found a new monastery at Proceno, Viterbo. There, St. Agnes was elected against her will to be the new community’s prioress.
According to tradition St. Agnes miraculously received Holy Communion from an angel for nine Sundays in a row. On another occasion, a heavenly messenger gave her a handful of soil from the Garden of Gethsemane and a shard of a basin the Virgin Mary used to bathe the Child Jesus. On the Feast of the Assumption, Our Lady appeared to St. Agnes and let her hold the Infant Jesus in her arms. Reluctant to give Him up, she snatched a small cross from around His neck.
In addition to visions, St. Agnes also performed many miracles, including healing the sick, converting sinners, and delivering people possessed by demons. On several occasions, while feeding the poor and hungry, the depleted food rations miraculously multiplied so there was enough for everyone.
Receiving a vision of San Domenico, St. Agnes obeyed his command and joined the Dominican Order. In 1306 she returned to Montepulciano and established a Dominican monastery dedicated to Santa Maria Novella in Gracciano, which she governed until her death.
St. Agnes died at midnight on April 20, 1317, and is said the children of Montepulciano awoke weeping to their parents that Sister Agnes had died and is a saint. After her death, many healing miracles have taken place around her tomb. The blind, lame and crippled were healed after touching a precious liquid that secreted from her fingertips.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Agnes of Montepulciano in Latin and English. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva Sant’Agnese di Montepulciano!
Prayer to St. Agnes of Montepulciano
O God, who adorned Agnes, Your bride, with a marvelous fervor in prayer, grant that by imitating her example, we may always hold fast to You in spirit, and so come to enjoy the abundant fruits of holiness. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
April 19, 2024
Feast of Sant’Espedito di Melitene
Sant'Espedito di Melitene, ora pro nobis |
According to tradition, Sant’Espedito was a Roman centurion in Melitene, Armenia who converted to Christianity. The Devil, in the form of a crow, attempted to delay his conversion by repeatedly cawing cras, which is Latin for “tomorrow.” Resisting the Evil One’s temptation he defiantly stomped on the bird, proclaiming Hodie, Latin for “Today.”
Sant’Espedito was beheaded for the Faith during the Diocletian persecutions in 303 AD.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Expeditus. Pictured is my makeshift shrine dedicated to the saint. Evviva Sant’Espedito!
Prayer to St. Expeditus
St. Expeditus honored by the gratitude of those who have invoked thee at the last hour and for pressing cases, we pray thee to obtain from the all powerful goodness of God, by the intercession of Mary Immaculate, (today or such a dav) the grace we solicit with all submission to the Divine Will. Amen.
Ponderable Quote by Antoine de Rivarol
“The absolute ruler may be a Nero, but he is sometimes Titus or Marcus Aurelius; the people is often Nero, and never Marcus Aurelius.”Quoted from Liberty or Equality by Erik Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, 2007, The Ludwig von Moses Institute, p. 150.
Portrait of Antoine de Rivarol (1753-1801), by Melchior Wyrsch.
April 18, 2024
Novena to Our Lady of Montserrat
Madonna di Monserrato, ora pro nobis |
O God, Giver of all good things, who didst choose Montserrat as a glorious Shrine for the Mother of thy only begotten Son, and through her intercession there hast granted favors without number to those who sought them there: bow down thine ears now to our petitions as we kneel and pray before Her image. Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen* A prayer card with a photograph of the Madonna del Monserrato statue in Craco Vecchio, courtesy of the Craco Society.
Mention your request here…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Our Lady of Montserrat, Pray for us.
Meridiunalata: "I’ Nun Songo Nato" by Cav. Charles Sant'Elia
I’ Nun Songo Nato
I’ nun songo nato p’’e cavalle,
Ma p’’e varche a mare,
D’’e passe secure
Nun me fido chiù,
Saccio meglio l’onne sciuliarelle
Ca mpácchiano.
I’ nun aggio maje vuluto
Ngarrà niente,
Addevinà prufezzíe.
I’ aggio sempe vuluto
Ncuccià ‘a fatalità
Tutta d’’a mia
Ncopp’’o fatto,
Chello ca chiammammo
«Nu juorno ‘e chisto»,
Ca pe me
È stu zico ca stammo
Risciatanno mo.
I’ songo chillo ca lassa
L’antica p’’a nova,
Ca passa dint’’o scuro
D’’o vico cumme fosse miezujuorno,
Ca piglia ‘a sagliuta sudanno
Senza manco nu penziero
‘E stanchezza.
Cumm’a tutt’’a razza
I’ nun songo nato
Pe murì ma pe campà.
I Wasn’t Born
I wasn’t born for horses,
But for boats at sea,
I can’t take
Sure steps any more,
I know the slippery waves
That deceive better.
I never wanted
To guess anything,
Divine prophecies,
I always wanted to
Catch a destiny
All my own
Redhanded,
That which we call
«One of these days»,
Which for me
Is this second that we are
Breathing now.
I’m the one that leaves
The old for the new,
That passes in the dark
Of the alley as though it were midday,
That takes the ascent sweating
Without even a thought
Of tiredness.
Like all the race
I was not born
To die but to live.
* Self-published in 2010, Meridiunalata / Southernade is a treasury of poems gleaned from Cav. Sant'Elia's previous collections (Nchiuso dint''o presente, 'A cuntrora, and 'O pino e l'éllera), which were circulated among friends in New York City and Naples. Special thanks to Cav. Sant'Elia for allowing us to reprint his poetry and translations.
April 17, 2024
New Book — Science of Naples: Making knowledge in Italy's Pre-Eminent City, 1500–1800
• Science of Naples: Making knowledge in Italy's Pre-Eminent City, 1500–1800 by Lorenza Gianfrancesco and Neil Tarrant
Publisher: UCL Press
Publication Date: January 8, 2025
Paperback: $45.00
Hardback: $70.00
Language: English
Pages: 294
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