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Author Archives: sandra dipasqua
Dining With the Saints
The Feast of Saint Peter and Paul
Many people have experienced eating prosciutto with ripe summer cantaloupe. It’s an Italian flavor combination made in heaven. Even when prosciutto is scarce, Italians, even my father and grandfather, would just sprinkle a bit of salt on cantaloupe knowing it would bring out the fruits’ sweetness.
One of the most ancient feasts observed by Christians is the Feast of San Pietro e Paolo (Saints Peter and Paul) on June 28th and 29th, honoring the martyrdom of these two influential Apostles. Celebrations vary from region to region, but the town ofViadanainLombardyholds a very special sagra of prosciutto, cantaloupe, and their slightly sweet and fizzy Lambrusco wine, highlighting some of the areas most prized food products. The dense, orange fleshed melon got its name form Cantalupo in the Savine region, where it was grown in the papal gardens. The beautiful fruit then spread to other areas ofItaly, traveling from one papal property to another. Inside Viadana’s 17th century church hangs a painting of the town patron surrounded by cantaloupes.
In honor of this very special feast, I’ve turned toLombardyfor inspiration and created a summer salad using cantaloupe, prosciutto, and Lambrusco, all three of the fine products this region celebrates for its festival.
Cantaloupe Salad with Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Lambrusco Vinaigrette
(Serves four as a first course or as a lunch dish)
For the vinaigrette:
¼ cup Lambrusco wine
1 tablespoon Spanish sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
1 small ripe cantaloupe, scooped out with a melon baller (about 2 cups)
1 pint grape tomatoes
About a dozen bocconicini mozzarella
¼ lb. prosciutto, cut into thin strips
1 large bunch of frisee, ripped into pieces
1 shallot, thinly sliced
A handful of small basil leaves, left whole
To make the vinaigrette, pour the Lambrusco into a small saucepot and boil it over high heat until you have about a tablespoon (you can use another semi-sweet wine instead if you like). Let this cool for a few minutes. Now whisk in the sherry vinegar and the olive oil and season it with salt and black pepper.
Place all the ingredients for the salad in a large salad bowl. Pour on the viniagrette and toss gently. Serve right away.
(Dining with the Saints is a monthly column written by Erica De Mane, cookbook writer and teacher. You can find her food blog at www.ericademane.com)
Holy Card Saints for June
Saint Paul First century. Feast Day: June 29.
Patron of: Evangelists. Snake bite. Malta. Journalists. Formerly an enemy of all Christians, Paul was knocked off his horse by a blinding light on the road to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see or eat while Christian teachings were infused in him. He became a zealous preacher of Christianity, traveling all over the ancient world. He was martyred in Rome. He holds his hand in blessing, he has the closed book of innate knowledge, and his attribute is a sword because he was beheaded and he was a great leader.
Novena to Saint Paul
Saint Peter First century. Feast Day: June 29.
Patron of: The Universal Church. Stone masons. Bakers. Peter was the leader of the original twelve apostles. His bad temper and errors in judgement make him the most human of apostles. It was to him that Jesus left the leadership of his church, calling Peter the rock. He was martyred in Rome by being crucified upside down, and the site of his tomb is now Saint Peter’s Basilica. He holds two keys, one of heaven, one of hell. He has an open book for the wide ranging spread of the faith.
Saint John the Baptist Died 30 a.d. Feast Day: June 24.
Patron of: Lambs. Baptism. Monks. A cousin of Christ, John began preaching in the wilderness that people should repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He would baptize his followers, Christ among them, in the river Jordan. He hailed Christ as the lamb of God in reference to Isaiah’s image of the lamb led to slaughter to bear the sins of mankind, and also because of the custom of sacrificing a lamb at Passover. He holds the banner of Christ with a lamb on the book of innate knowledge.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga 1568–1591.
Feast Day: June 21. Patron of : AIDS victims. AIDS caregivers. Teenagers. He grew up in a castle and was trained as a soldier and courtier from the age of four. A kidney infection left Aloysius bedridden, with much solitary time spent in prayer. At the age of eighteen he became a Jesuit novice, signing his inheritance away to his family. He tended plague victims in Rome before dying of the plague himself.
Saint Anthony of Padua 1195–1231.
Feast Day: June 13. Patron of: Lost Articles. Those in Debt. Portugal. A Franciscan friar known for his extraordinary preaching ability, he is also known as “The Wonderworker.” He is always shown with the baby Jesus because an uncle once saw Anthony laughing and playing in the garden with an infant who kissed him, then disappeared. The angels hold the psalter that was stolen then returned to Anthony after praying for it.
The above holy card saints for June have been excerpted from the book: “Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.
Ascension Thursday Novena
Novena to be said beginning on the Friday after Ascension Thursday until Pentecost Sunday Nine days later
Antiphon
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us Pray:
O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolations,
Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Novena for May
SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA
Feast Day: May 20
1380-1444
Patron of those suffering with lung diseases, advertisers, pugilists, weavers, wool merchants
Invoked : for help in giving up smoking, against hemorrhages, hoarseness, tuberculosis
An immensely popular Franciscan preacher, Bernardine vowed to preach in every part of Italy. Thoroughly entertaining to common people, he would speak in the open air for four hours at a time. Because he often strained his voice, he suffered from hoarseness, like patients with pulmonary problems. A master communicator, he designed the IHS visual emblem of Christ.
Novena to Saint Bernardine of Siena
Father,
You gave Saint Bernardine a special love
for the holy name of Jesus.
By the help of his prayers,
may we always be alive with the spirit of Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. (MENTION YOUR REQUEST HERE).
Amen.
Saints for May
Saint Joan of Arc 1412–1431. Feast Day: May 30.
Patron of: France. Soldiers. Captives.
A mystic with the gift of prophecy, Joan was a young French peasant girl who was counseled by three voices, Michael the Archangel, Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria. Using their guidance she was able to inspire the French to free themselves from British domination. She is shown with her banner reading “Jesus Mary,” with which she led troops into battle. She is surrounded by lilies for purity. This card was made before she was declared a saint and was still a Blessed.
novena.com 