GOOD FRIDAY NOVENA

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

It is that time of year again when I post my mother-in-law's, Good Friday Novena. Margaret Hobbins gave me this novena when I was a young bride almost 40 years ago. It is only said on Good Friday, so it is important to remember the prayer on that day.

We have seen dying people recover after this novena has been completed, jobs offered and college bound kids accepted into the college of their choice.

Please say the prayer reverently and with respect on Good Friday. Between the hours of Noon and 3:00p.m., the time which it is said the Savior of the World hung on the cross to redeem us from our sins. The prayer must be repeated 33 times, the number of years Our Lord walked this earth.

BELIEVE, and see what happens. Pass this prayer on to your family and friends like I have. I share it every year and I hope you will too.

Enjoy the Resurrection Day and Easter Season.

Happy Easter! And may God bless you and your family.

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

GOOD FRIDAY NOVENA

OH MY JESUS, I HUMBLY BEG OF THEE, BY THE MERITS OF THY PRECIOUS BLOOD, BY THY DIVINE HEART AND BY THY CRUEL DEATH TO ASSIST ME IN MY NECESSITY (insert your prayer request here)

Say the prayer 33 times between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday.

EASTER BREAD

GREETINGS FROM
CARMELA'S CUCINA,

It is the week before Easter, so in my Italian family that means it is time to make Easter Bread or Pane di Pasqualino. Under the supervision of my mother, Sarah Tursi, my brother Frank, has now taken over this task. He is pictured with his grand-daughter, Mia in Hawaii, teaching still another generation how to make this delicious and traditional, Easter treat.

I love it, hot out of the oven and smothered with butter. The anise seed is a bit tricky to find, it is sent to us by our cousins in Calabria, and they won't even reveal their source for obtaining the seed, I suggest that you use fennel seed to make your Easter Bread.

This bread is a sure sign of spring in our family and because it is an Easter bread, we often insert colored eggs between the braids. While the bread bakes, the eggs will cook. I like to use and odd number of eggs, for a more pleasing look.

Buona Pasqua,

Happy Easter,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

EASTER BREAD

PANE DI PASQUALINO

5 pounds of flour, plus 1 cup
1 teaspoon anise seed (optional)
6 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
2 cups water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 packages of dry yeast
5 teaspoons salt
5 teaspoons sugar
3 eggs

In a large bowl, mix flour and anise seed together. Scald milk and water, let cool, and then add yeast. Add eggs to the flour, then add the butter and oil, and finally the liquid with the yeast.
Add salt and sugar. Knead the bread mixture until elastic, it may need a little more water. Cover the bowl, and put it in a warm place.

Let the dough rest for about an hour. Knead again for about 10 minutes, and let rest again for about an hour. Divide the dough into 15 balls and roll each ball into a rope about 25 inches long. Take three ropes and braid them together.

On a greased cookie sheet, for the braid into a ring. Cover and let rise until double in size, about and hour. Brush with melted butter and bake in a pre- heated 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes.

GOOD FRIDAY NOVENA

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

My mother-in-law, Margaret Hobbins, gave me this Good Friday Novena many years ago. Our family prays it every year. I would like to share it with you, our friends.

OH MY JESUS, I HUMBLY BEG OF THEE, BY THE MERITS OF THY PRECIOUS BLOOD, BY THY DIVINE HEART AND BY THY CRUEL DEATH TO ASSIST ME IN MY NECESSITY (insert your prayer request here.)

Say this prayer 33 times between Noon and 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday.

Also pray the rosary during this time for world peace.

I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter

Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter)

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins