Italian Traditions Lift Community

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast and Feast of Our Lady of the Snow

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast: July 9–July 20
It was another hot one for Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Feast, aka The Giglio. The lifters were strong and made it through. People filled the streets. Cigar smoke and the scent of sizzling sausage and peppers filled the air.  Meatballs filled bellies during the annual meatball eating contest (meatballs were supplied by Carmine’s Restaurant).  Rain made an appearance and put a damper on one night.

Overall joy of community spirit and holy spirit was spread from the church masses and processions that begin this feast, the bread distribution, the Giglio Sunday celebration at Bamonte’s , the dancing of the Giglio, up to the final day of the feast, which featured Old Timer’s Day when past contributors to this feast are honored.

“Williamsburg we thank you! We thank you for another great year! We thank you for another great turnout for the feast! We thank you for all the love and support! This year was one for the record books! We’ll see you all back next year!” Said Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Facebook on July 21.

Feast of Our Lady of the Snow: July 27– August 5

Our Lady of Snow was founded in 1888 to help support the influx of immigrants arriving in Brooklyn from the town of Sanza, Provence of Salerno, Italy. The Feast of Our Lady of the Snow (July 27–August 5) culminates in a celebration of Santa Maria of the Snows’ feast day (August 5).  2025 marks the 137^th annual feast in Williamsburg.

On July 27 a candlelight procession kicks off this feast. The statue of Our Lady of the Snow is carried through the streets to St. Francis of Paola Church (219 Conselyea Street) arriving at 7:30 p.m. The church will hold a novena prayer service. 

Each day of this feast offers something special: a bingo night, a bake-off, a movie screening, an Elvis night, etc.  For more information, visit: https://www.ourladyofthesnowbrooklyn.com/2025-feast

The final day, August 5, begins with a ceremony in the morning at Our Lady of the Snow Hall (410 Graham Avenue) at 8:30 a.m. Afterwards, the walk to St. Francis of Paola Church to celebrate a mass in honor of Our Lady of the Snow. After the mass, they process through the neighborhood, returning to the hall around 1:30 p.m. The festivities continue in the evening with music, refreshments, games, and a raffle drawing.