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After Mass, Knights and Dames take a commemorative photo
Photos courtesy of Cav. Charles Sant'Elia |
For the second year in a row, the Knights and Dames of the Order gathered at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey for the Annual Memorial Mass in honor of our late Grand Master, HM Francesco II di Borbone, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Joined by our friends from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Mass ad orientem was celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio, Order chaplain and Pastor of the beautiful church.
Following Mass, participants were invited to the parish center to partake in a festive Christmas dinner en famille offered by the Order. Each Knight and Dame brought a homemade dish or a bottle of their favorite wine (Aglianico, Falanghina, Nero d'Avola, etc.) to the party for all to enjoy.
After the toasts and Monsignor said grace, partygoers helped themselves to the terrific spread replete with seasonal delicacies, such as Cav. Vincent Gangone’s stufati di Teggiano, Dama Rosanna Minervini’s focaccia Molfettese and Cav. Tom Crane’s hearty venison stew made with the meat of a buck bagged on a recent hunting trip with his son.
While sampling the delicious fare, revelers mingled and enjoyed the traditional Neapolitan Christmas songs from Cav. Charles Sant’Elia’s extensive personal collection.
Once again, three cheers are in order for Cav. Gangone for generously organizing the fête. Vincent’s hard work and selflessness 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! and Buon Anno!
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| Thurifer leads the procession into church |
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Vice Delegate Cav. Patrick O'Boyle and Cav. Justin Morin-Carpentier, aide-de-camp to HRH Princess Beatrice, welcomed the guests and presented a message of greetings and solidarity from the Princess who wished all well for the New Year and thanked the Knights and Dames for their continued efforts.
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| Cav. Msgr. Ambrosio and Cav. O'Boyle lead a final parting toast. |
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| Cav. Gangone with Michela and Lina Musolino |
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| Joseph Vitale, Andrew Portelli, Msgr. Ambrosio and Cav. Morin-Carpentier |
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| Dama Luisa Cristofano, Cav. Tom Crane and Cav. Walter Klein |
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| Cav. O'Boyle and Dama Rosanna Minervini |
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Cavalieri Dr. Thomas Rossi and Thomas Portelli
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| Cav. Charles Sant'Elia and Michela |
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| Dames Minervini and Cristofano with Justin |
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| Cavalieri Joseph Lucia and Walter Klein |
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| Revelers break bread in the parish center |
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Monsignor's beautiful baby Jesus centerpiece
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| Soppressata and caciocavallo |
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Focaccia Molfettese
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| Venison stew |
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Stufati di Teggiano
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| (Above and below) Cav. Gangone presented a rare 1973 commemorative recording from the SMOCSG Campania Delegation featuring the Two Sicilies national anthem which was recorded in the Santa Chiara monastery in Naples. |
