Delegation of Calabria

On July 28, the Calabria Delegation together with the foundation “Il Giglio” and the Cultural Association “Two Sicilies”, under the patronage of the Municipality of Gioiosa Ionica, organized a conference with the theme “The History of the South, the enterprises of the South”. The cultural assembly took place in the wonderful rooms of the Amaduri Palace of Gioiosa Ionica and, in addition to the institutional greetings of the Mayor Dr. Luca Ritorto and the city councillor with responsibility for culture Dr Lidia Ritorto, began with the intervention of Dr Marina Carrese. The latter, as president of the foundation “Il Giglio”, explained how the foundation, born in 1993 by the interest of a group of scholars and history enthusiasts, has the purpose of defending and enhancing the memory of the Two Sicilies and, more generally, the South. Then it was the turn of Prof. Maria Carmela Spadaro who, in the dual capacity of lecturer in History of Medieval and Modern Law at the Federico II University of Naples and president of the Cultural Association Two Sicilies, recalled some important historical events in the south, linked to the events at the end of the Bourbon monarchy. In particular, she outlined the figure of Francis II, the last King of the Two Sicilies. As a corollary of the cultural event, Dr. Maurizio Dente presented the “comprasud” project, which aims to sensitize the Southerners to choose the products of their land, their banks and their businesses as a means to grow the Southern economy. The meeting was also attended by some members of the Observatory Two Sicilies of Lamezia Terme.

On Friday, July 28, the Calabria Delegation donated food and basic necessities to the Caritas of Gioiosa Ionica. This donation was intended to demonstrate how the Order’s works will remain operational even in this period in which the consequences of loneliness and poverty are accentuated. The choice of the Caritas of Gioiosa Ionica took place because the volunteers, since its foundation, have spent their commitment and energy for the most needy people of the Ionian side of the province of Reggio Calabria, following the motto “giving is loving”. Over time, they have made numerous collections of food, necessities and clothing along with other charities. The donation also honoured the month traditionally dedicated to the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cosenza. On Sunday, June 11, on occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi, the Knights and Dames of the Calabria Delegation participated in the Eucharistic celebration at the Church of San Luca Evangelista in the charming and hospitable village of Vadue. The Holy Mass was officiated by Father Dario Montemaggiore and concelebrated by Monsignor Dario de Paola, chaplain of the Constantinian militia for the city of Cosenza. As a confirmation of the important day, the Constantinian knights, representing every province of Calabria, came in the welcoming and crowded church, located in the town of Carolei, recalled by the relevant and representative occasion. Also the most important positions of the Calabrian delegation were present: Don Gianpietro Sanseverino di Marcellinara, Delegate of Calabria, Dr. Aurelio Badolati, Vice Delegate, Dr. Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, Representative of the city of Cosenza, and Monsignor Luigi Cannizzo, vice Prior of the delegation. Among the authorities who attended, the Mayor of the municipality of Carolei dr. Francesco Iannaci and Marshal Apollonio Esposito representing the local Carabinieri station were present.

On June 7, 70 hot meals were donated to the parish of Candelora in Reggio Calabria to be served in single portions to the people in need of the territory. The donation was made by Knight Antonino Campolo.

The Professional Institute Boccioni-Fermi continues to show increasing commitment to social activities. In addition to the project “We for you…” that has been active for three years in Reggio Calabria, the Professional Institute has been awarded for having given its contribution at the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
The school, led by Professor Anna Maria Cama, was awarded by two representatives of the Calabria delegation: the Vice Delegate Aurelio Badolati and the Vice Prior Monsignor Luigi Cannizzo.
In the presence of all the Management Staff, Prof. Roberto Verduci, Antonella Micalizzi, Vincenzina Granata, Mirella Praticò, Pietro Carlo, Angela Polimeni, Francesca Giuffrè, Margherita Ruffo, Dr. Umberto Boncompagni, the President of the Council of the Institute, the Vice Delegate Badolati pointed out the importance of the gesture made by the school and handed to the Director a publication entitled “Calabria Costantiniana” in which the activities, the donations and the charitable interventions carried out by the delegation in the years 2020-2021 are collected.

On Wednesday, April 12, a group of Knights of the Calabria Delegation attended the conference organized by the University of Tuscia and moderated by Prof. Paola Pogliani and Prof. Anna Arcudi, called “Behind the scenes of the restoration Giuditta and Holofernes” which took place inside the beautiful church of Maria SS del Rosario in Bagnara Calabra. The conference, in addition to a large audience, was attended by many authorities including the Mayor of Bagnara Calabra, the Superintendent of Archaeology Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria and the province of Vibo Valentia, the Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral Care of Culture of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova and the Director of the Office of Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova. The work of art in question depicts the famous biblical episode of the beheading of the general of Nebuchadnezzar, Holofernes, by the beautiful Judith that over the centuries has been depicted by artists such as Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi and Guido Reni, just to name a few.

Cosenza, March 2023 – In the kitchen of the Association “Casa Nostra” at the Archiepiscopal Curia of Cosenza, together with the Lions Club Cosenza Castello Svevo, some hot meals were prepared and served to 27 needy people of the territory. Such initiative was organized by the Knights Gaetano Liguori and Franco Vollaro.