The investiture ceremony for the new Knights and Dames of the Constantinian Order was held on Saturday 3 December, in the Provostal Collegial Parish of Rovato (BS).
The ceremony was officiated by His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Grand Prior Renato Raffaele Martino, Proto-Deacon of the Holy Roman Church, assisted by the Parish priest of Rovato, Mons. Gian Mario Chiari, Mons. Gaetano Fontana, Abbot of Montichiari and Mons. Ivo Panteghini, representing the Bishop of Brescia, who conferred the Cross of Honor upon Cardinal Martino, and by numerous priests Ecclesiastical Knights of Grace. The remains of the Holy Cross and of St. George were on display on the altar.
H.E. Alberto Lembo, Grand Inquisitor, conferred the certificate of appointment to the Knights and Dames, on behalf of H.R.H. the Grand Master, Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, while the Delegate for Milano and Lombardy, don Andrea Imperiali of the Princes of Francavilla, placed the mantle upon all the newly invested. Present for the ceremony were the Vice Delegate Nobile Dott. Giuseppe Rizzani, all the Provincial Representatives and Chaplains of the Region, the Prior for Lombardy and Representative for Brescia, Mons. Arnaldo Morandi, who currently holds the office of Secretary General for the Office of the Grand Prior.
Civilian and Military authorities were also present as were delegations of the Company of Custodians of the Holy Crosses, of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Pontifical Awardees and representatives of the Order of Saint Maurizio and Lazzaro, in addition to numerous members of the Order. The many new members included H.R.H. Sergio of Yugoslavia, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, H.R.H. Princess Maria Pia of Savoy Bourbon Parma, Dame of Justice, H.R.H. Eleanor of Yugoslavia, Dame of Justice. Mons. Arnaldo Morandi and Dott. Adriano Lascioli were also nominated for membership in the Royal Order of Francis I.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Vice Delegate, Nobile Dott. Giuseppe Rizzani, congratulated the new members of the Dynastic Order and spoke of the many activities in which the Knights and Dames will participate, making special mention of the donation of meals and clothing to the Dormitory of San Vincenzo and the Menni Soup Kitchen of the Diocesan Caritas of Brescia. A protocol of cooperation with the Diocesan Caritas will be signed in the coming days for the provision of clothing and shoes in addition to funds to support the medical service of the Association of Medical Volunteers (ATSV), a group of volunteer radiologists who provide free x-rays at the homes of the ill who cannot be transported to medical facilities.
