'Rosary & Cannoli': A Sweet New Lenten Tradition At Iona Prep

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — It might be a sacrilege to call the cannolis at Domenick's Nepperhan Italian Pastry Shop a miracle, but the celebrated local pastry served as a divine inspiration for a chaplain looking for a fresh way to inspire his flock.

Iona Preparatory School Chaplain Rev. Justin Cinnante had been trying to think of ways to bring more students together to a rosary prayer following daily Catholic Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday. He decided to try giving away a cannoli to every student who showed up for the reflection and the congregation soon multiplied.

Word traveled fast since he started giving away the crispy treat in December. On March 9, the idea that began with a few dozen students just a few weeks ago drew over 130 students from PK-12 to participate in the after-school program, an increase in attendance by more than 500 percent. After a special Lenten season rosary prayer offered for the people of Ukraine in Iona Preparatory’s Upper School chapel, the students were treated to a cannoli and fellowship in a nearby classroom.

Thursday’s cannolis were donated by an Iona Prep family, from Domenick's Nepperhan Italian Pastry Shop in Yonkers, but delicate pastries from other renowned Westchester bakers will help to pack the pews and offer a sugar fix, both during Lenten celebration and throughout the year.