The American Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Royal Order of Francis I happily welcomed for the first time its new prior, His Grace Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, J.C.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco and Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace of the Constantinian Order.
A Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool was celebrated for the External Solemnity of Saint Anthony the Abbot, the Principal Minor Patron of the Constantinian Order, on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Oratory of Saint Anthony of Padua in West Orange, New Jersey. The beautiful Mass, which began with the Labarum of the Order at the beginning of the procession, included the participation of various Ecclesiastical Knights of Grace as the ministers, and Knights as servers, of the Sacred Liturgy, as well as those assisting in choir, and many other knights in attendance. Besides these, also present were parishioners and visitors numbering in the hundreds to welcome the Archbishop, and to celebrate with, and learn more about, the Constantinian Order.
The American Prior preached a poignant homily with many references to the life and devotion to the Order’s Principal Minor Patron, and to the history and mission of the Constantinian Order. At the end of the Mass, the traditional antiphon and collect for the Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, were sung in Gregorian Chant (sung in the past after every Solemn Mass in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies).
Following the Pontifical, a Pranzo Costantiniano dinner followed at a nearby restaurant. Beginning with the National Anthems of the United States and the Two Sicilies (Inno al Re by Paisiello), a message sent by the Grand Master for the special occasion was read. The program continued with a traditional southern Italian Sunday meal, with musical entertainment provided by members of a local mandolin orchestra that performed beloved melodies of meridional Italy, especially Naples. Besides the toasts led by the Delegate and Vice Delegate respectively, remarks followed made by the same and the Delegation’s Executive Director, and in conclusion, a moving address and blessing by the new Prior. After the inability to gather in a significant number for almost two years due to pandemic-related restrictions, members of the Delegation were very happy to welcome their new Prior and to again celebrate together as a Constantinian family.
