Feature
Lingua Italiana
Tu Scendi Dalle Stella - "From Starry Skies
Thou Descending" ...Italy's Most Popular Christmas Carol
Paul Sciria
Managing Editor
Alphonsus Maria de Liguori,
a Neapolitan priest who was
later canonized, was the founder
of the Redemptorist missionary
order. In 1732, while living at a
convent in the village of Deliceto
(provincia Foggia), he wrote
the melody and lyrics to “Little
Song to Jesus.” This song is traditionally associated with the
zampogna (Italian bagpipe) and
often referred to as the “Carol
of the Bagpipers.” “Tu Scendi
dale Stelle” became the most
popular Christmas carol in Italy.
Thou comest, glorious King,
e vieni in una grotta,
a manger low Thy bed,
al freddo al gelo.
In winter’s icy sting;
O Bambino mio Divino
O my dearest Child most holy,
Lo ti vedo qui a tremar,
Shuddering, trembling in the cold!
O Dio Beato
Great God, Thou lovest me!
Tu scendi dalle stelle,
From starry skies descending
O Re del Cielo,
Christmas
Letter
Fr. Richard, O. de M.
Ahi, quanto ti costo
What suff ’ring Thou didst bear,
L’avermi amato!
That I near Thee might be!
A te, che sei del mondo
Thou are the world’s Creator,
Il Creatore,
God’s own and true Word
Mancano panni e fuoco;
Yet here no robe, no fire
O mio Signore!
14
For thee, Divine Lord.
Caro eletto Pargoletto,
Dearest, fairest, sweetest infant,
Quanto questa poverta’
Dire this state of poverty.
Piu’ mi innamora!
The more I care for Thee,
Giacche’ ti fece amor
Since, Thou, o Love Divine,
Povero ancora!
Will’st now so poor to be.
Christmas Traditions of Puglia
Peter D'Attoma
president of DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Dear Friends,
Of all the gifts you and I might share
with family and friends this Christmas, the
very best is the gift of Christmas itself. For
Christmas above all is the incomparable gift
of God’s Love. It is as if the Lord had looked
upon the world over 2,000 years ago and said:
“You who live within the darkened shadows
of doubt and fear. I shall give your light . . . a
light that will shine from above, and within.
The bearer of this gift – this light . . . will be
my Son, my only Son. And I shall anoint for
you a mother most blessed, a women whom
I have chosen for you. She will be the vessel
through which my Son shall come unto you.
And she will be loved by every generation. “
At Christmas, our thoughts turn
to Jesus and His message of “Love”.
Unfortunately we see a great absence
of Love and peace in our world today.
As disciples of Jesus, we need to make
His message known by the way we live
and act. We need to be, like Jesus – messengers of God’s Love. What better time to
be peacemakers and Love then during this
Christmas Season. Are there people we need
to forgive – members of our family, one of
our neighbors, one of our co-workers? Are
there people from whom you and I need to
ask forgiveness – people we have offended?
As we celebrate the Feast of Christmas,
let us pray for the strength to be instruments of the Lord’s love. And certainly
the most powerful prayer we have is that
of the Sacrifice and Sacrament of the
Mass. The Eucharist is where we truly
share “God’s gift of love”. Be assured,
you will have a place in my Masses and
Prayers during the Christmas Season.
I
wish
you
and
those
you
love
a
very
Blessed
Christmas
and Blessings in The New Year!
Notizie Dall'Italia
Christmas, a celebration in Italy, varies from region
to region, and almost every town has its own traditions.
This is especially true in the region of Puglia, the heel of
the Italian boot with endless miles of beautiful beaches,
ancient historical villages, unspoiled nature, archaeological treasures and varied delicious culinary traditions.
Growing up in Puglia, Christmas was a very special time
of the year for me. It all starts on December 8 with the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Streets are brightly illuminated with colorful lights, families with their children congregate in the main piazza greeting their friends and neighbors
and stopping along the way for a gelato, espresso or cappuccino.
Vendors from the weekly market set up in the main square every
Sunday throughout December, serving traditional Christmas pastries such as Cartellate. This is a typical Puglian Christmas
tradition made of fried dough rolled out in long strips and
then swirled into the form of roses which are then dipped in
honey. Pettole is another favorite made from small rounds
of fried dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Porcedduzzi are small balls of pastry aromatized with citrus fruit,
which are fried and mixed with chopped almonds and honey.
The traditional Puglian menu for Christmas Eve is very
simple and features Fritelle fried dumplings stuffed with
tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, sautéed onions and capers.
Boiled Cime di Rape with simple extra virgin olive oil combined with Orecchieti, accompanies the Fritelle as a side dish.
On Christmas day, families prepare a feast and gather around
the table to enjoy a multi course meal that will usually last
the entire day. For starters, a variety of fresh fish the likes of
calamari, mussels, octopus and sea urchins from the Adriatic Sea
is served. For pasta, my favorite was my aunt’s Timpano. We
could not wait to taste this sensational layered pasta made with
tomato sauce, a variety of meats, cheeses and tiny meatballs.
BUON NATALE
The Perfect Holiday Gift!
ITALIAN
Recipes from My Friends
JOHN VOSO, JR
I
T
A
L
I
A
John’s passion for The Richie
White Fund and Italian food
was the catalyst for writing
Italian Recipes from My Friends.
“Many weekends were spent
cooking c