FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
Video of the Giglio Feast at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
https://vimeo.com/348064934
For more information on the feast visit: https://www.olmcfeast.
CATHOLIC TRADITION IN WILLIAMSBURG TO CONTINUE THIS SUNDAY AT THE OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL FEAST
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, which kicked off earlier this week, will keep a more than 100-year tradition alive tomorrow, Sunday, July 14, 2019, with Mass at the Church located at 275 N. 8th Street in Brooklyn beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the first Giglio lift of the feast scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
The Giglio is a seven-story tower structure composed of aluminum, paper-mâché, and plastic painted and decorated with Gigli (flowers) and the image of St. Paulinus.
A platform at the base of the tower supports a twelve-piece brass band and singer. The entire assemblage—tower and band—is hoisted and carried by 112 dancing and marching men, the lifters. Each lift begins with the official feast song, written in Williamsburg and used since 1959, “O Giglio e Paradiso.”
A separate boat, complete with fitted mast, sail, and rigging, represents the ship that returned St. Paulinus from captivity. Like the Giglio, it has a band and singer and is also carried and danced through the streets. This tradition was transplanted to Brooklyn, New York by the Nolani immigrants from Italy.
The Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will be the main celebrant of the Mass on Sunday. Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello is the Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Brooklyn. Members of the media are invited to attend.
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