On Tuesday 9 November the Delegate Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo di Sant’Elia delivered the admission diploma to His Excellency the Archbishop of Salerno, Monsignor Bellandi, who accepted it with great joy. His Excellency also accompanied the participants on a private visit to the treasure of St. Matthew and the wonderfully frescoed crypt where the Saint, who is the patron Saint of Salerno, is buried. Father Mario Savarese, Rector of the Minims and Vice Prior of the Delegation, Father Claudio Mancusi, Knight and Military Chaplain, and Knights Dr. Alfonso Grieco, President of the Group of the Faithful of St. Matthew, and Dr. Giovanni Angelo Marciano were present.
DELEGATION OF NAPLES AND CAMPANIA. ROYAL BOURBON CHAPEL, CHURCH SAINT CHIARA IN NAPLES. MASS IN MEMORY OF KING CHARLES AND KING FRANCIS I OF BOURBON.
On the occasion of the past feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, the Knights and Dames of the Guard of Honour at the Royal Tombs of the Bourbon Sovereigns of the Delegation of Naples and Campania commemorated the figure of the first great sovereign of the Bourbon dynasty, His Majesty King Charles. The Guard also honoured King Francis I, who, despite his short reign lasting only five years, continued to modernise the Kingdom by promoting scientific and technological development.
NAPLES AND CAMPANIA: XXIV COMMEMORATION
On Saturday 16 October, the annual Commemoration of the Soldiers of the Army of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies who fell in the Battle of Volturno on 1-2 October 1860 was held. The initiative started 24 years ago by Capuan Commander Giovanni Salemi and has continued to grow despite his death also thanks to the Delegation of Naples and Campania. This year it was organised in cooperation with the Neapolitan Academy of Historical Studies. In the morning, a laurel wreath was laid at the Capua Cemetery at the final resting place of Artillery Major Filippo Ginolfi, who ideally represented all his comrades, and a second wreath was laid at the resting place of ‘Commander’ Salemi. In front of both graves, Mgr Luigi Castiello, Delegation Councillor and Vice President of the Neapolitan Academy of Historical Studies, invited the participants to pray. In the afternoon, the Royal Parish of King St. Ferdinand in San Leucio hosted the Holy Mass of Suffrage for the Fallen, presided over by Bishop Castiello, and animated by the ‘Resonare Fibris’ Choir. The participants of the 1st line regiment preceded the Constantinian Knights with their colourful period uniforms. The Knights reached their places in the church. Together with them, members of the Guard of Honour at the Royal Tombs were present. Afterwards, the traditional historical conference was held in San Leucio, which this year was dedicated to the Count of Caserta and Queen Maria Sofia on the 180th anniversary of her birth. Among those present were Dr. Domenico Villano, President of the Pro Loco Real Sito in San Leucio, Dr. Donato Scialla, President of the Association “Corteo Storico” in San Leucio, the Secretary General of the Foundation “Francesco II delle Due Sicilie”, Knight of Merit Umberto Sofia Crescenzi and the President of the Association “Identitaria Alta Terra di Lavoro”, Claudio Saltarelli. At the beginning of the conference, after the national anthems of Bavaria and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Knight Grand Officer of Grace Eugenio Donadoni, speaking on behalf of the National Italian Association of the Constantinian Knights explained the activities and aims of the association to the guests, after welcoming and thanking the authorities. A warmly welcomed guest was Knight Grand Officer of Merit Aurelio Badolati, Vice Delegate of Calabria. On this occasion, the Neapolitan Academy of Historical Studies awarded the Delegate and Vice Delegates of the Delegation of Campania the title of Honorary Academician and Commander Dr. Giuseppe Catenacci, Honorary President of the Nunziatella Alumni Association, received similar recognition. The speakers, coordinated by Dr. Carmen Nugnes, were highly appreciated: Fernando di Mieri, lecturer at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, who spoke about the situation after the fall of the Kingdom; Adolfo Morganti, President of the Association “Identitá Europea”, spoke about the Count of Caserta’s Europeanist vision and Gigi di Fiore concluded by talking about Queen Maria Sofia. Musicians Donato Scialla, Ubaldo Tartaglione and Roberto Celentano performed different pieces of music. Finally, certificates of merit were delivered by the Academy to all those who collaborated. At the end of the conference, the President of the Academy, Knight of Merit Giancarlo Rinaldi, once again recalled the founder of this ceremony, thanking Marquise Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo di Sant’Elia, Delegate for Campania, and Marquis Giuliano Buccino Grimaldi, President of the National Italian Association of the Constantinian Knights.
NAPLES AND CAMPANIA: HOLY MASS ON FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER
The Knights and Volunteers of the Guard of Honour at the Royal Tombs of the Bourbon Sovereigns of the Delegation of Naples and Campania prayed in memory of Queen Maria Sofia Wittelsbach of Bourbon and King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon.
Despite the betrayals and corruptions, the figure of Queen Maria Sofia, the last Sovereign of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, has always been radiant. When she was just nineteen years old, she fought heroically in Gaeta with her husband, King Francis II of Bourbon, thanks to her courage and determination, helping all the injured or dying soldiers and those infected with typhus. Nothing stopped her, not even the dangers caused by bombs. Her humanity brought her even closer to her soldiers.
Ferdinand IV of Bourbon was one of the Sovereigns closest to the People. A pioneer in the defence of workers’ rights, he was the first King of Europe who created and introduced a special law for the workers of the Royal Colony of San Leucio, aimed not only at industrial profit, but also at the optimal living conditions of its workers. Ferdinand IV’s reign began on 10 October 1759. He is the founder of the ‘Nunziatella’ Military College, continued the work that had launched by his father Charles, i.e. the process of social, economic, political and cultural modernisation of the Kingdom of Naples, achieving important goals that were recognised by the whole Europe.
MEETING WITH GENERAL MASIELLO
Rome, October 5th, 2021 – H.E. Don Francesco, Prince Ruspoli, Grand Chancellor, accompanied by Dr Giampaolo Grazian, Secretary General, and Marquise Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo, Delegate for Naples and Campania, was received by General Carmine Masiello. During the meeting, the participants reminded the activities of the Constantinian Order in Italy and abroad, as well as the importance of the support that the Order itself receives from the Armed Forces. At the end of the meeting, General Masiello was given the diploma of Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Constantinian Order, by virtue of his high moral and human values.