Rome, 13th, 14th and 15th May 2016. The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George organized the Second International Pilgrimage, accepting the invitation of the Holy Father to participate in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
The Pilgrimage has been led by His Most Reverend Eminence, Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of the House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Castro.
During this important event, a debate on Interreligious Dialogue entitled “Together for the common God in diversity” has been held at the Headquarters of the Foreign Press Association in Rome. In the afternoon, during a visit to the Casino dell’Aurora at Palazzo Pallavicini Rospigliosi, thanks to the choice of His Royal Highness Prince Charles of the House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, the Knights and Dames were greeted by a speaker of exception, the art critic Professor Vittorio Sgarbi, who illustrated the works of a young artist, Master Giovanni Gasparro.
Immediately after, Professor Roberto de Mattei has presented the book “Francis II of Bourbon, The Catholic King”.
On Saturday May 14, in the morning, passing through the Holy Door, a guided tour of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major has been carried out and here the Act of Entrustment to the Virgin Mary has taken place through prayer at the Icon Salus Populi Romani in the Paolina chapel. The tour continued in the Basilica of St John Lateran visiting the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) and the Sancta Sanctorum chapel.
On Saturday afternoon a Solemn Mass has been celebrated and presided by His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino at the Main Altar in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
During the Mass His Royal Highness Prince Charles of the House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies thanked Pope Francis for having granted a Special plenary indulgence to all the Knights and Dames during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. He then addressed a special thanks to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, who allowed to celebrate Mass in the church, heart of Christianity, and finally a loving thanks to His Eminence the Grand Prior for having been a guide in faith. On the occasion of his speech His Royal Highness Prince Charles of the House of Bourbon Two-Siciles, as Head of the Royal House, has made public his decision to entrust their daughters with the responsibility for the future of the Royal House with his rights and his duties. According to the Act issued in Rome on 12th May 2016, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, decided to change the rules of succession in force in the Royal House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, in order to make them compatible with the international and European law system in force by replacing all the previous rules on succession with the principle of absolute primogeniture.
During the solemn ceremony Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Carolina of the House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies, accompanied by the godfather His Imperial Highness Prince Jean Christophe Napoléon Bonaparte and Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Chiara of the House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, accompanied by the godfather His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Martino of Habsburg-Este received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
On Sunday the 15th of May has been held the collegial meeting of the Grand Master with the delegates and representatives from all around the world.
During the Pilgrimage it was also presented the book “For a spiritual journey of the Constantinian Knights and Dames”, wanted by His Eminence the Grand Prior, which is a real Vademecum for all Knight and Dames of the Order.> You can read here (in italian) the homely of theGrand Prior.
