July 30, 2017

Photo of the Week: HM King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

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

July 29, 2017

Bonus Pics of the 107th Annual Feast of Saint Ann in Hoboken, New Jersey

Evviva Sant'Anna! 
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
Here are some additional photographs from Wednesday's Feast Day Mass and procession at beautiful Saint Ann's Church (704 Jefferson St.) in Hoboken, New Jersey.
(L) A detail of the ornate high altar and (r) statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri inside beautiful Saint Ann's Church
After Mass, Saint Ann is presented to the expectant crowd
 On a picture perfect day, the procession wends its way through Hoboken
Shrines dedicated to Sant'Anna were erected along the procession route
(L) Our friends at The Madonna Dei Martiri Society generously offered everyone delicious focaccia and cold water. (R) San Giacomo joins the celebration
(L-R) Statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri and stained glass window of St. John the Baptist. 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
A look inside the Santa Febronia Chapel
Santa Febronia, patroness of Patti, Sicily
The Madonna di Tindari
(L) Devotees pin donations on to the statues.
(R) Passing down our time-honored traditions on to the next generation
After a few hours, the procession makes its way back to Saint Ann's Church
Members of the Holy Name Society carry Saint Ann into the church
Sant'Anna and San Giacomo are placed before the altar
After the benediction, we returned to the Monte San Giacomo Clubhouse for some fellowship, cold beer and delicious roast beef and pepper sandwiches. The roisterous John Duke Band took request from the revelers

July 28, 2017

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

July 24, 2017

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.

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

July 22, 2017

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