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The Art of Craco

Society member Phyllis Roccanova Brenna enjoys working in watercolors and in 2008 while visiting Craco took a photo from the roadside. That photograph lead to the painting shown left.

Phyllis, who is the daughter of Salvatore Roccanova (b. 1902 in Craco to Vincenzo and Mary Maddelena Francavilla) is also considering works showing individual buildings and windows.

This April, Phyllis with her children and grandchildren traveled to Italy again. Craco was of course was one of their stops, as was the town of Roccanova.

We hope she returned with more photographs and inspiration to continue her wonderful work capturing more beautiful scenes of Craco. 

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 History of the Societá S. Vincenzo Martire di Craco

As the Society continues to research the history of our ancestors and information about the statues of San Vincenzo, details continue to emerge.

The corporate charter filed for the Crachesi mutual aid organization the Societá S. Vincenzo Martire di Craco was previously obtained from the New York records office. It gave us insights into the founders and their intentions, showing their intention to use the Italian name for the organization.

 

However, the actual corporate certificate issued by the New York Secretary of State in 1899 has surfaced. The document was saved and protected over the years by Salvatore Gallo and shared with us by Mrs. Rita Gallo and her daughter, Rita Lavery.

The certificate is the formal document provided to the Societá that acknowledges the corporation.

It also shows the original Italian name for the organization that was intended by the founders was changed to the English translation of “Society Saint Vincent Martyr of Craco” making that the actual legal name of the corporation. However, there is no record of the English version of the name being used.

The Crachese people everywhere continue to be indebted to the Gallo family members for protecting and preserving the San Vincenzo statues and material related to them.

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2011 Reunion

San Vincenzo has been bringing Cracotans together in New York for 110 years! This year is no different.

From October 21-23 we will be holding the 5th Annual Crachesi del Nord America Reunion and celebrating the 110th Anniversary of the statue of San Vincenzo, Martire.

There will be good friends, family, familiar places, and great food to share as we meet in Brooklyn on Friday and Saturday before celebrating the feast of San Vincenzo Martire in Manhattan on Sunday.

 

As we work on the Reunion and 110th Anniversary of the statue of San Vincenzo in New York we are researching the history of the Societá S. Vincenzo Martire di Craco .  After uncovering many new details we are now asking members for information they have to fill in some gaps in information.

First, if anyone has photographs of the Societá S. Vincenzo Martire di Craco or any events they held we would appreciate having them to share with members.  Any stories or memories that people have about participating in San Vincenzo feast events would also be helpful in adding to our understanding.

Among the mysteries we are trying to resolve are the following:

 Who brought the bone relic of San Vincenzo to the US from Craco so it could be presented to St. Joachim’s Church in 1901?

 Who brought the upright statue of San Vincenzo to the US from Craco during the mid 1920s?

 What happened to the upright statue in the 1960s after St. Joachim’s Church was closed?

 Please contact us if you have any information or material that can help. You can reach us by email or by phoning (774) 269-6611.

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May in Craco Vecchio

 

Throughout the month of May there are daily visits to the church of the Madonna della Stella to celebrate Mass or to say the rosary.
In the fields May was also a busy month. The fave and ceci were picked and left in a large pile to dry.
The people also started preparing for the arrival of hired farm hands that came from as far away as Lecce to assist with the grain harvest.
 

The month of May was a very significant month and active time in Craco Vecchio.
Following the church calendar, and centuries of tradition, on the first weekend in May they celebrated San Nicola and the Madonna della Stella, starting with a “processione” for San Nicola on the Saturday.
On Sunday, the entire day is dedicated to celebrating Madonna della Stella, starting with a Mass in the morning followed by a procession throughout the town.
To receive special favours from the Madonna, people would decorate a “cirio” (a wooden framed structure) with candles. The cirio would be carried by a devotee along with the procession until it reached their home. A small alter was pre-pared at the house, and prayers were said, thus completing their act of devotion.
In the afternoon, everyone gathered by the Madonna della Stella church for potato sac races, horse races, and bicycle races. In the evening, people gathered and ate fave, lupini, and ceci. In the late 50's and 60's some amusement park rides were added for children. The day’s festivities always ended with a display of fireworks.
For all Festas, a committee was formed consisting of 5-10 people and overseen by the priest. Their role was to raise funds and organize the entire festa.

 

 

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Click here to view A Year in Craco.  Events in Craco for every month are listed.  Thank you to Joe Rinaldi in Canada for his contribution to this page.

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