THE LIVE NATIVITY SCENE IN CALASCIBETTA (SICILY)

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Yesterday, we went to the nearby town of Calascibetta.  This charming old town was once dotted with caves where people used to live. Nowadays, new buildings have covered much of the caves. However, there is an area, where they still survive. In this place, the local population has set up a live Nativity Scene inside the caves, with men, women, and children dressed in a similar way to that at the time of Jesus’s birth.

We walked along the caves and savored the charm of times gone by, when human heart was more alive, tools were handmade, the food was natural, and the air not polluted.

After visiting the caves, we tasted local products: chickpea soup, cheese, and local sweets.

The live Nativity Scene in Calascibetta stands not only for tourists. It also has a deep religious meaning!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

FATHER PIO, A GREAT FRANCISCAN MONK

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Traveling in Southern Italy, we arrived in San Giovanni Rotondo, the town where Father Pio had lived. These days, people call him Saint Pio, for Pope John Paul II proclaimed him a saint in 2002.

Visiting the town, I turned my attention to the contrast between the modest cell where he had lived and the large hospital he had built. The name of the hospital is Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House to Alleviate Suffering).

Why was he proclaimed a saint? Because he was a man out of the ordinary. Father Pio’s hands and feet showed the stigmata. Furthermore, he had the charisma of bilocation. Some witnesses claim to have seen him at the same time in two different places.

Apart from these extraordinary facts, Father Pio’s great heart led him to hear people’s confession all day. He listened to everyone and gave everyone comfort.

When we left San Giovanni Rotondo, my thought went to the hospital the humble friar, Father Pio, had built. Everybody can see this miracle with his or her own eyes. As for the other miracles, you need faith to believe in them!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

THE MIRACLE OF SAN GENNARO IN NAPLES

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

On December 16 of this year, just a few days ago, we were in Naples on a trip. While we were visiting the Cathedral, which houses the bones of San Gennaro and two ampoules containing his blood, the abbot of the chapel took an ampoule in his hand and walked among the people standing there.

I was nearby and filmed the scene. Indeed, after a few minutes, the coagulated blood liquefied.

The liquefaction of San Gennaro’s blood takes place only three times a year. I was very lucky to be in Naples on December 16 and witness the miracle up close.

San Gennaro was beheaded in the year 304 during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Diocletian. As he was dying, a little blood was made to flow into two ampoules. These days, one is almost empty, for part of its content was stolen by King Charles of Bourbon who, having become King of Spain, took it with him; the other is more than half full.

Sometimes, San Gennaro’s blood does not liquefy. In this case, something terrible happens. In 1939 and in 1940, coinciding with the outbreak of the Second World War, the blood of San Gennaro did not liquefy.

Are those who believe in miracles gullible? I do not think so. Religion is also made of mystery and miracle. The rational mind is not enough!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

THE FEAST OF SANTA LUCIA IN SYRACUSE (SICILY)

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Yesterday was a special day for us in Syracuse, for we saw the procession in honor of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of this ancient city. We were able to see the statue of the saint from afar. We could not get close, because a large crowd surrounded it.

Both the litter and the statue have a silver color. Santa Lucia has a knife stuck in her throat because, according to tradition, she was killed this way. She ran into the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian, the most bloody in the history of the Roman Empire.

The incorrupt body of Santa Lucia rests in Venice, because the Venetians brought it back to Italy from Constantinople, during the Fourth Crusade.  However, Santa Lucia was born and lived in Syracuse. This is why the city of Syracuse has called for the return of her body to her hometown, but to no avail.

On December 13, fifty brethren carry the statue on their shoulders from the Cathedral to the Church of Santa Lucia, located near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears. The route is approximately three kilometers. It takes about five hours to get to the Church of Santa Lucia from the Cathedral. The statue is very heavy and the bearers often stop to take a rest.

Even though we could not get close to the statue, the atmosphere and sacredness of the procession touched our hearts!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IN ENNA (SICILY)

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

December 8, the Day of the Immaculate Conception, is a special occurrence in my hometown of Enna.

On this day, it is customary to buy some lupine beans and blueberries. In Enna, you can find them only on the eve and on the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

I do not know why we eat such fruit on this day. Surely, there must be a reason. However, following the tradition, yesterday I bought some.

On December 8, the statue of the Virgin Mary is brought in procession. Brethren of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception carry on their shoulders a heavy litter with the statue of Mary. For them, carrying the litter is a special honor and privilege.

While the statue passes along the streets, people pray to Our Lady for mercy.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception in my hometown of Enna is just a folkloristic event or there is a deep religious meaning behind it?

As for Enna people, I am sure that they live this feast day with authentic religious zeal!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

A STATUETTE OF OUR LADY WEARING HANBOK

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Before leaving Korea, we received a beautiful gift from our Korean friends. They gave us a small statue of the Virgin Mary wearing hanbok, a traditional Korean dress; furthermore, her hairstyle is typically Korean.

We placed the statuette on a piece of furniture in our house in Enna. In the same room, there is a picture of Mary of the Visitation, the protector of my hometown of Enna (Sicily).

The picture of the Sicilian Madonna is quite different from the Korean statuette. The former wears a crown, a cloak and a robe covered with gold, furthermore it has western features; the latter wears a very simple traditional dress and shows oriental features.

What is the real face of the Virgin Mary? Eastern, Western, white or black? We do not know.

Probably, when we are in another dimension, we will be able to see the true face of Our Lady!

Ettore Grillo, author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily (English edition)

– A Hidden Sicilian History (English edition)

– The Vibrations of Words (English edition)

– Travels of the Mind (English edition)

– Una Storia Siciliana Nascosta (edizione in lingua italiana)

– Viaggi della Mente (edizione in lingua italiana)

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo