Delegation of Calabria

On 17 November, the Calabria Delegation donated 300 tarts and 60 hot meals to the Diocesan Caritas of Candelora to be served in single portions to the needy of the territory.

Every day, from one hundred to one hundred and thirty people pass through the canteen of the poor “Padre Pio” in Crotone, to receive a hot meal for lunch. The representation of Crotone, as on other occasions, therefore intended to provide its help to bring relief and comfort, through a donation of basic food – including pasta, oil, bread, sauces and condiments – and, following that offer, Knight of Merit Vito Michele De Caro and Knight of Grace Antonio Oliverio, representative of the city of Crotone, committed themselves together with the volunteers of the canteen to cook and then serve the meal to a hundred people in need. Also Knight of Grace Nicola Oliverio and Knight of Merit Alessandro Cuomo were unable to attend, but participated in the donation offered to the canteen of the poor. This is an initiative that will certainly be repeated on other occasions. On behalf of Monsignor Ezio Limina, the appreciation for the activities of the Constantinian Order and for this offer in particular has been renewed.

Saturday October 7 in Vibo Valentia, in the Church of the Rosary and Saint John the Baptist, on the occasion of the celebrations of Mary Most Holy of the Rosary, the Knights of the Calabria Delegation participated in the Eucharistic celebration officiated by Monsignor Filippo Ramondino, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace and chaplain of the Order of the vibonese capital.
During the Holy Mass Giuseppina Tino, consort of the Meritorious Salvatore Barbieri, was remembered and was given reading of the prayer of the Constantinian Knight by Knight Of. Roberto Bendini.
This appointment has now been consolidated among the initiatives of the Constantinian Order of Calabria.

On Friday October 13, the Calabria Delegation honored the anniversary of the Marian apparition of Fatima, called “miracle of the sun”, by donating 60 hot meals to the Diocesan Caritas of Candelora. The importance of the “miracle of the sun” was born on 30 October 1950, when it happened before Pope Pius XII, three days before the solemn proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. The Pope interpreted the event as a sort of “approval” of the gesture he was about to make.
The donation will serve to comfort the most needy, who can not afford any meal, also bringing them closer to the “immaculate heart of Mary”. The donation is due to the efforts made by Knight Antonino Rosario Campolo.

TAURIANOVA (R.C.), On October 25, at the Caritas Parish “Maria S.S. delle Grazie”, a group of Knights of the Calabria Delegation donated various kinds of basic necessities for the needy families of that place. The parish priest Father Mino Ciano, renewing to the Confreres present his esteem for the unceasing commitment, expressed great admiration for this gesture of solidarity made by the Members of the Sacred Constantinian Militia who are constantly engaged in numerous charitable activities throughout the territory, testifying concretely with their actions the most authentic values and ideals of Chivalry.

On 28 October 2023, in Castrolibero, a town near Cosenza, was held an historical re-enactment in costume of the taking over of the fief of Castelfranco, by Pietro Antonio Sanseverino, prince of Bisignano, which took place in 1528. Over 100 participants took part in the procession that, along the streets of the village in evocative places, revived, reciting, the highlights of the arrival of the new feudal lord and his family, on site. On the return of the procession in front of the church of SS. Salvatore, the Knights and Dames participated in the “Te Deum”. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Mayors of the two municipalities: Orlandino Greco, for Castrolibero and Francesco Fucile for Bisignano. The event ended with the exhibition of the flag-wavers of the Palio of Bisignano, held on the churchyard.

On Friday 22/09/2023 at 6 pm, the “Teresian Jubilee” was inaugurated in the city of Cosenza, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of St. Therese of Lisieux and the 100th anniversary of her canonization. The Jubilee, granted in a special way by Pope Francis, began with the opening of the bronze Holy Door of the dedicated church, by H. E. Mons. Parisi, Bishop of Lamezia. The Knights and Dames placed themselves on one side of the church steps outside, in front of the members of the Equestrian Order of St. Sepulchre of Jerusalem, crowning the Bishop and accompanying him, after the opening of the Door, inside the church, taking up positions in the dedicated benches, immediately behind the civil and military Authorities that were present at the ceremony. The Benemerits and the volunteers were also present. The religious rite was also officiated by Mons. Dario De Paola, promoter of the Jubilee, pastor of St. Teresa and chaplain of the Cosenza Representation. A large musical choir animated the celebration. At the end of the celebration, after the usual photos, a rich buffet took place. It was set up in a parish hall and was reserved for the Orders of chivalry present.

On Thursday 14 September, on the occasion of the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a delegation from Calabria took part in the Mass celebrated by the Vice Prior Mons. Luigi Cannizzo at the church of Candelora in Reggio Calabria.

Last 6 August, the Calabria Delegation organized a day in the sign of Faith and Culture in Altomonte (CS). The event, coordinated by Knight of Grace Nob. Roberto Campolongo, began with a visit to the Mother Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, built by the Sangineto and continued with the visit to the Civic Museum, formerly the Dominican Convent, built by Covella Ruffo in Sanseverino. The walk continued to the Altomonte Castle, also built by the Sanseverino family. The large representation of the Constantinian militia, led by Delegate Comm. of Justice Nob. Gianpietro dei Principi Sanseverino of the Barons of Marcellinara, as well as the Vice Delegate Grand Off. Aurelio Badolati and the representative for the city of Cosenza Noble Knight Giuseppe Spizziri-Marzo, then held a cultural seminar, held inside the council room of the local Municipality. At the end of the symposium, the Delegate, in thanking the Mayor for the welcome received and the speakers for their speeches, announced the organization of a pilgrimage on the “footsteps” of Saint Francis of Paola, patron of Calabria and co-patron of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, whose participants will follow the same path that the Saint did, starting from Paola, reaching Milazzo. Finally, the Altomontese day ended with a moment of prayer at the monastic complex dedicated to the Pauline saint in which a Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Luigi Barbati.

Knight Antonino Rosario Campolo, last 10 August, donated 50 hot meals to the parish Caritas of the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria, which were distributed to the most needy people.

On 17 August, in the charming church dedicated to Saint Nicholas Bishop in Cotronei, the parish priest, Father Francesco Spadola, celebrated the liturgical function, also recalling how it was Monsignor Luigi Mondello, Prior of the Calabria delegation, to entrust him with tasks of great cultural importance, at the time when he was president of the Episcopal Conference of Calabria.
As usual, the religious service was accompanied by a donation of fresh and long-term food and supplies of comfort and basic necessities that were destined for the parish Caritas canteen. At the initiative of the Constantinian representation the Vice Delegate Grand Officer Aurelio Badolati and the Knights of Grace Nicholas and Antonio Oliverio, representative for the city of Crotone were present. The latter addressed a message of thanks to the pastor and the community of the faithful.

On August 17, Knight Giacomo Currò donated food and basic necessities to the Convent dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, run by the Capuchin Friars of Lauria. The donation will be distributed to the needy of the district. The Convent and its Friars are a point of reference for the local community, since it was founded in 1617. The head of the convent, Father Teodoro Pullez, in thanking the delegation for what has been done, pointed out the numerous emergency situations of the territory. The Delegation, always attentive to requests for help from local ecclesiastical authorities, will engage in new donations in particular in the upper Cosentino in the near future.