Tag: madonna nera
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Celebrating the Black Madonna of Tindari
Thousands of pilgrims are expected on Monday, September 7 at the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari. The town of Patti is even planning to close down one side of State Highway 113 to accommodate all the devotees expected to participate in the multiple masses, the solemn evening procession of the iconic Madonna Nera…
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Erice and Custonaci’s Mother Goddess
This week of Ferragosto in Erice, they are venerating their patron saint, the Madonna di Custonaci (pictured), with their annual week-long Festa della Madonna. It’s important to know that Ferragosto is another name for The Assumption, the feast celebrating when the Virgin Mother ascended to Heaven. In other words, there are feasts for the Madonna…
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Black Madonna at Castellamare del Golfo
Tucked away near the castle that gives Castellamare del Golfo its name is the Chiesa di Maria SS del Rosario, which is believed to have been built in such a secluded corner during the Norman era, circa 1100, to hide it from invading pirates. Inside is this alter devoted to the Madonna dell’Agnuni, or Madonna…
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Sacred with a Kitsch
Today we visited the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari. Here, you can see there is always some kitsch… No matter how sacred, nothing is sacred!
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Celebrating What Once Was and What Now Is
When immigrants from Tindari and Patti, Sicily came to New York at the turn of the 20th century, they brought with them the tradition of celebrating the Black Madonna or “Madonna Bruna.” Although East 13th Street has changed significantly in the last 50 years and Sicilians en masse no longer live in the East Village,…