The sun was shining and the temperature soared to 90 for the Festival of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church.
The Red Band played on the blistering streets in the Procession which honors both the Blessed Virgin and the immigrants of East Utica by reciting the decades of the Rosary in 5 different languages – Italian, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and English. The procession was followed by Benediction at the Shrine Outside of the Church.
Many of the Parishioners were wearing the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel which they received after completing the Novena. It is a small brown piece of felt with 2 tabs at the ends of the ribbons with pictures of St. Simon Stock on one side and Our Lady on the other. Mary’s promise to St. Simon was that those who died wearing this Scapular shall “Never Suffer Eternal Fire”.
It’s tidbits of Roman Catholic history and tradition such as this that makes each Parish Festival or Feast so special and unique.
After the procession, we refreshed ourselves back at the Feast. Mt. Carmel puts on the best and biggest variety of Italian treats in the city – Mushroom Stew, Sicilian Rice Balls, Sausage and Hot Peppers, Rigatoni, fried meatballs, pizza, pastries, and pizza frite.
Then it was time for our concert. We had a 39 piece band that filled 2 hours with Polkas, Marches, Opera, and Big Band songs. We also played a new Religious song “Inno E Viva Maria” – a solemn Hymn in Honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
By the end of the concert, the heat seemed to have taken a toll on one or two Band members but the crowd was receptive and enthusiastically cheered us on.
The Red Band played on the blistering streets in the Procession which honors both the Blessed Virgin and the immigrants of East Utica by reciting the decades of the Rosary in 5 different languages – Italian, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and English. The procession was followed by Benediction at the Shrine Outside of the Church.
Many of the Parishioners were wearing the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel which they received after completing the Novena. It is a small brown piece of felt with 2 tabs at the ends of the ribbons with pictures of St. Simon Stock on one side and Our Lady on the other. Mary’s promise to St. Simon was that those who died wearing this Scapular shall “Never Suffer Eternal Fire”.
It’s tidbits of Roman Catholic history and tradition such as this that makes each Parish Festival or Feast so special and unique.After the procession, we refreshed ourselves back at the Feast. Mt. Carmel puts on the best and biggest variety of Italian treats in the city – Mushroom Stew, Sicilian Rice Balls, Sausage and Hot Peppers, Rigatoni, fried meatballs, pizza, pastries, and pizza frite.
Then it was time for our concert. We had a 39 piece band that filled 2 hours with Polkas, Marches, Opera, and Big Band songs. We also played a new Religious song “Inno E Viva Maria” – a solemn Hymn in Honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
By the end of the concert, the heat seemed to have taken a toll on one or two Band members but the crowd was receptive and enthusiastically cheered us on.
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!
For more photos please click on the following links
Mt. Carmel Procession and Concert
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