Statue of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco at Most Precious Blood Church, 113 Baxter St., Manhattan, NY The reliquary in the rear right, containing bone fragments of San Vincenzo was sent to Craco in 1769 and then to America in 1901 when Crachesi immigrant founded a mutual aid society to support their culture. The statue was crafted in New York at a tailor shop owned by an immigrant from Craco, Pasquale Marrese and his employees, also from Craco, using a woodcut image and their memory of the relic in Craco to fashion it.
FEAST DAY MASS ATMOST PRECIOUS BLOOD CHRUCH
Most Precious Blood AltarRev Fr. Robert Campagna, OFMStephen LaRocca, Esq. and Fr. Campagna in front of small San Vincenzo statue.Outside before the event, Jim Benedetto, Marilyn Augustyne, in rear on step is Jackie Haynes.Members of the Guariglia family greet each other inside Most Precious Blood ChurchThe LaRocca family showing the joy of the day.Rosa D’Elia Francavilla, Salvatore Filippo Francavilla, Domenico DeCesare, and Maria Mormando DeCesare all born in Craco and now living happily in New York.Part of the lunch gathering at DaNico Restuarant on Mulberry Street in New York’s Little Italy. A table of family and friends enjoying lunch. As we say, “If you come from Craco, then you’re a cousin.”First cousins, Jim Benedetto and Jor Rinaldi in front of a 1905 picture of Mulberry Street.Jim Benedetto and Tom Rinaldi. Seated are Paul Tocci, Kathy Tocci, Salvatore LaRocca and Lucia LaRocca.Fil Francavilla “uncorking” his homemade limoncello, that was enjoyed by all.Jim and Coleen Benedetto, the newest members of The Craco Society
