Super Santos, the fifty-third patron saint of Naples

Perhaps not everyone knows – but many of us Neapolitans do – that our city does not have only San Gennaro as its patron saint, but actually has fifty-two. Yes, fifty-two official patrons, each with their own area of expertise, a bit like in pagan times, when every deity was responsible for their own domain. They were not merciful, but required sacrifices to be "appeased." The relationship between Neapolitans and the saints was masterfully described by Sándor Márai, a Hungarian writer who came to Naples as a "voluntary exile" in the postwar period, to escape censorship. He wrote about it in the book "The Blood of San Gennaro," which certainly deserves a read. The relationship with San Gennaro, in particular, was then interpreted, just as masterfully, by Nino Manfredi in the film "Operation San Gennaro," when he asks the patron saint to help him steal the mitre, and by Massimo Troisi, when, feeling threatened by Lello Arena, who approaches the bust, asks for "the treatment," and warns the patron not to listen to the newcomer, who betrays him with San Ciro.
So, in addition to these fifty-two patrons, who assist us in dark times (obviously, in exchange for offerings), we have another patron: the ball. Not Maradona, not the Napoli football team, but the super santos itself. With the super santos, children play in the streets from a young age, occupying a space and turning it into a creative area, where they play, come together, learn to be part of a team, but above all, make their presence felt.
Try looking around: we don't have Christmas trees with bauble and ribbon decorations, we have trees with super santos balls stuck between the branches.
How many times have we Neapolitans been hit by a ball while walking down the street? How many times have we had to dodge? How many windows have been broken? Oh well, what does it matter? For a patron, you have to put up with this and more. The super santos has saved many kids.
How awful when someone thought of banning playing ball in front of churches, how awful! Heresy.
After all, the name says it all: super santos. "Super" because our patrons are a bit like pagan deities, like superheroes. They are not merciful, but they have superpowers. And "santos" because it is a saint, of course! And let's not forget the anthem dedicated to it by Tony Tammaro, which you can listen to here!