Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast: The Giglio Tradition in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Giglio Tradition

• 🎯 The Giglio is an 80-foot tower carried by over 100 men, representing an ultimate exercise in teamwork and faith.
• 💡 This tradition, originating in Nola, Italy, dates back over a thousand years and is a significant part of Italian-American heritage in Brooklyn.
• 🎭 A new Capo (leader) takes charge every two years, responsible for the design and operations of the Giglio, with many waiting decades for this honor.

Faith, Family, and Heritage

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The feast is described as the epitome of being Italian-American in Brooklyn, showcasing immense faith, family, and tradition.
• 🎨 Students from the head Capo's high school assisted in painting the saints on the Giglio and helping with church work.
• 🎶 Participants describe getting chills every time the traditional songs are sung, evoking deep memories and pride.

Honoring St. Paulinus

• 🛡️ The tradition honors St. Paulinus, who is credited with saving his town from a pirate invasion in the 5th century.
• 🇮🇹 Families like the Craig Ado's, with roots in Nola, Italy, also have deep Brooklyn ties, with fathers and grandfathers having participated in carrying the Giglio.
• 🤝 Sunday marked the final day of the feast, serving as a reunion for old-timers, past Capos, and people from across the country with ties to Williamsburg.