Clearly he won. He emailed me a photo of the event. I can just see him stopping mowing the lawn, scampering inside to find the digital camera, and rushing back out to make sure he didn't miss anything. In the picture, "Jesus" is in the back of a truck, standing tall with his thigh thrust forward in a green, slitted gown. He looks ripped and also very similar to a Miss America contestant. When I related this story to my other neighbors, they felt the statue sounded a bit like "Super Gay Jesus." Until I mentioned that Jesus had a little dog.
"Ooooooooooooooh!" My neighbor exclaimed. "That's not Jesus! That's St. Rocco!" Apparently St. Rocco is the patron saint of pestilence. His little dog used to come bring him food while he was in prison and the Italian Catholics in my neighborhood celebrate his glory with food and also by carrying this statue up and down the streets while people attach money. There is a scene like it in The Godfather. The party ends with whopping huge fireworks, visible from our porch apparently. Morningside has also, for many years, been in a bit of a war with another neighborhood for the best celebration and also best website for the event. There is so much to gossip about with neighbors!
Unfortunately, I will be away for the to-do, which makes me sad. But, I can always look at this photo and feel smugly happy that my biggest lawn ornament is a gazing ball:
5 comments:
I didn't tell you about the Festa di San Rocco when you moved into the neighborhood?
Most remiss of me!
OMG that is AWESOME. They don't put that thing in their yard though, do they??
this is the best thing ever.
a former co-worker of mine was dating a guy named rocco columbus from pitt. yes, that is his name. wonder if he was from your neighborhood or the rival neighborhood...
I love this blog. You are hil-a-rious. And so is that Jesus statue!
man. this really makes me want to move to Pittsburgh.
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