On Friday, December 3rd, in Borgetto, the Vice Delegate Noble Dr Di Gianni, Knight Giovanni Impastato and Father Antonio Ortoleva, Constantinian Ecclesiastic Knight and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Monreale, donated to the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, run by Father Gioacchino Capizzi, parish administrator and chaplain of the Ingrassia Hospital in Palermo, various devices of the “Briciole di Salute” Project. In this way, a new collaboration has been set up with another parish in the Archdiocese of Monreale.
On the liturgical feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Solemn Celebration of the Immaculate Conception took place in the Cathedral of Monreale, presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Michele Pennisi, Archbishop of Monreale and Prior of Sicily, which was attended, in addition to the Mayor and the Commander of the Carabinieri Corps, by a representation of Knights led by the Vice Delegate Noble Antonio di Janni.
On Saturday, December 11th, the representative for the city of Noto, Commander Marcello Cantone, donated, on behalf of the Sicilian delegation, several devices for the S. Corrado Canteen. The representative was welcomed by Sister Teresa of the Little Friars and Little Nuns of Jesus and Mary, a monastic order founded by Father Volantino. The S. Corrado Canteen, which is run by the brothers and sisters of the same order, helps the needy by delivering food for their daily needs.
Among the many solidarity initiatives organised by the Anffas onlus Association of Marsala, committed to improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders and their families, in this very difficult year due to the health emergency caused by Covid-19, a pleasant moment of encounter for the traditional exchange of greetings for a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year could not be missing. In a joyful Christmas spirit, on Sunday 12 December 2021, a solidarity meeting was held in the Salesian Oratory in Marsala, attended by the Knights Camillo Carpinteri, Antonino Patti and Nicola Goffredo Saladino of the Sicilian delegation, who were sensitive to the project “donarsi al fratello” that the Association has set itself for 2021. President Dr Anna Maria Casano thanked the board, the civil service volunteers, the Order’s delegation for the gifts offered and all those who, with affection and solidarity, have supported the disabled people the Association cares for.
On Monday, December 13th, the Vice Delegate of Sicily, accompanied by Knight Giovanni Impastato, was received by His Excellency Archbishop Michele Pennisi. On this occasion, the Vice Delegate gave the Archbishop a pewter statue of St. Michael for his birthday and also delivered, on the part of Prof. Tommaso Romano, who edited the re-edition, the book by Attilio Mordini “L’Ordine Costantiniano di S. Giorgio-la Regola di S. Basilio” with the dedication to H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House, published by the Thule Cultura Foundation.
On December 14th, the M.A.S.C.I. (Movimento Adulti Scout Cattolici Italiani) scout centre in the “Don Cannizzo Enna 1” community in Enna made a donation of toys, educational material and complete clothing for children aged 0 to 3 for needy families, as part of the “Briciole di Salute” project.
On behalf of the delegation, Knight Matteo Bertino (Provincial Representative), Knight Alessandro Balsamo, Knight Claudio Fazzi and Knight Elio Virone participated.
On behalf of M.A.S.C.I, the Magister Mario DI PRIMA, Angelo LI MONGI e Paolo FULCO attended as well.
The collaboration with the municipality of Monreale on aid for the needy is continuing. On Saturday, December 18th, the Vice Delegate of Sicily delivered to the town councillor, Luigi D’Eliseo, 70 pandori (Italian typical Christmas cakes), donated by H.R.H. Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, which will be distributed to the children of the Monreale hamlet of Pioppo, together with other items donated by the Monreale town hall.
On Tuesday, December 14th, in the afternoon, as part of the initiative “Constantinian Medical Days”, conceived and promoted by Noble Antonio di Janni, Vice Delegate of Sicily, oncological prevention of the oral cavity was carried out by Dr Francesco D’Alba, dentist, with the collaboration of the members of the Associazione “Crocerossine d’Italia Onlus”, whose president is Countess Mila Brachetti Peretti, represented by the responsible for the territory, Anna di Marzo. The initiative took place at the Church Santa Maria della Pietà in the Kalsa district of Palermo, Father Giuseppe Di Giovanni. On Wednesday December 15th, orthopaedic examinations were carried out by Dr Pietro Palazzolo, head of the orthopaedic department of the Igea clinic in Partinico, assisted by the members of the “Associazione Crocerossine d’Italia Onlus” of Palermo. More than 20 visits were made to citizens in difficult economic situations. The access to the clinic was allowed in accordance with the rules of the anti-covid 19 procedures. After dental and orthopaedic examinations on Tuesday and Wednesday, cardiology and diabetology examinations followed, with blood pressure checks and electrocardiograms. On Thursday 16th, Dr Ketty Sardo, cardiologist, examined 32 patients. On Friday 17th, Dr Ercole Pusateri, internist and diabetologist, visited several diabetic patients. Our thanks go to the volunteers Anna Di Marzo, Virginia Lo Bianco, Flavia Prestana, Domenica Airò Farulla, Mariella Spagnolo, Stefania Di Lorenzo, Rosaria Lotà, Maria Rosaria Ales, Giovanna Ales, Marina Pedalà and Cettina Rubino.
On Wednesday, December 22nd, the distribution of early childhood items from the “Briciole di Salute” project was held in a place devoted for the occasion in the Constantinian church Maria SS degli Agonizzanti in Monreale.
On Thursday, December 23rd, the distribution of early childhood items of the Constantinian project “Briciole di Salute” was held in Mazara del Vallo, at the Parish St. Gemma Galgani. The Vice Delegate Knight of Grace Noble Antonio Di Janni and Knight Nino Centonze delivered baby food according to the request of the parish Caritas, and in particular baby food, nappies of various sizes and baby food.
On December 19th, after the Eucharist celebration at 6 pm at the Parish SS Alfio, Cirino and Filadelfio in Sant’Alfio (CT), the solidarity draw organised by Knight Tony Zarrillo took place, the proceeds from the sale of tickets being used to purchase basic necessities to be donated to the Franciscan Sisters of Roccalumera (ME). A basket of sweets and personal care products was kindly donated by sympathisers of the Constantinian Order, for whose gesture we thank Federico Corda, Giuseppe Miano and Stefano Papa. At the end of the evening, Archpriest Father Giovanni Salvia, our chaplain, thanked and praised the Sacred Militia for its charitable activities in favour of the disadvantaged, including the ‘Briciole di Salute’ project.
On Sunday December 19th, the parish priest, Monsignor Salvatore Grimaldi celebrated a Holy Mass in preparation for Holy Christmas at the Constantinian Basilica Magione. Numerous Knights and Dames from various parts of Sicily were present. Salvatore Notarianni presented the knights with a mask bearing the insignia of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. Before the blessing, the Vice Delegate of Sicily thanked Dr. Ketti Sardo, cardiologist, with a diploma from the delegation for the voluntary cardiological examinations during the week of medical prevention held at the Church Maria SS della Pietà in Kalsa.