Palermo, 6 November 2015. Holy Mass was celebrated in the parish church of St Basilio Magno to mark the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the church. The religious service was preceded by a conference, which aimed to explore the symbolic significance of architectural features within churches and was presided over by Mons. Salvatore Lo Monte, Archbishop Delegate for charitable institutions and Chancellor of the Curia of Palermo. The Delegation of Sicily of the Constantinian Order remained a keen participant in the proceedings for the entire duration of the event. In attendance were the Vice Delegate Antonio di Janni, along with the knights HE The Prefect Gianfranco Romagnoli, Carmelo Sammarco, Francesco Paolo Guarneri, Fabrizio Sailis, Salvatore Vassallo and the dame Ms Carla Almirante. Also present on the day were the following Constantinian Chaplains: the Right Reverend P. Giuseppe Di Giovanni, parish priest of the church, and Mons. Gino Lo Galbo. Based on the interesting analysis put forward by Mons. Lo Monte, the ‘church’ is to be regarded as a ‘temple’, whose interior is rich in crucially important features: in the first place, the altar and tabernacle which are the sites where communication between the human and the divine planes can be established; the confessional booth; the rectory of the parish priest; the Ambon, seen as a place from which the Word of God emanates, reaching out to both the clergy and the congregation; the statues no longer interpreted as mere objects of veneration but as effigies bearing witness to the transcendent sphere; the Stations of the Cross; the candles placed at the main corners of the temple marking the spots consecrated by the bishop on the day of the dedication and only ever lit up on the anniversary of the consecration ceremony. During his presentation, Mons. Lo Monte also delivered an impassioned speech peppered with many inspirational thoughts and teachings, calling on all Catholics to stand united around the spiritual legacy of the ‘temple’ and encouraging them to keep fighting for a fairer world. At the end of such an inspiring talk, Holy Mass was officiated by Mons. Lo Monte himself, together with Don Giuseppe di Giovanni and Mons. Gino Lo Galbo. This key event was for all Constantinian Knights participating yet another opportunity for personal growth, strengthening their grasp of Christian culture and values. Such values are unquestionable foundational principles for the Sacred Militia whose primary task is to defend the Christian faith in the shadow of the Cross.
