Delegation of Lombardy

Corte Franca (BS), 7 December 2021 – Knight Giuseppe Scolaro, together with the volunteers of Caritas in Corte Franca, bought basic foodstuffs and hygiene products and delivered them to Father Francesco Gasparotti at the Parish “Santa Maria Assunta di Colombaro” in Corte Franca. The volunteers of Caritas group, excited by the important donation, thanked Knight Scolaro with a kind gesture. Father Francesco Gasparotti expressed his satisfaction for the charitable work of the Constantinian Order carried out by generous Knights.

Milan, 10 December 2021 – In the historic Constantinian church “San Giorgio al Palazzo” in Milan, Noble Dr. Giuseppe Rizzani, Delegate of Lombardy, and Monsignor Arnaldo Morandi, Prior of the Delegation, convened the Knights and Dames of the Order for the traditional pre-Christmas meeting. The Holy Mass was presided over by Mgr Gianni Zappa, Dean of the metropolitan city of Milan and celebrated by the parish priest of the pastoral community of San Giorgio, San Lorenzo and Sant’Eustorgio Father Luca Camisana and by Mgr Morandi. The ceremony was attended by illustrious Confreres, H.R.H. Archduke Martin of Habsburg Este, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice and member of the Royal Deputation, Honorable Gabriele Albertini, Knight Grand Cross of Merit and Representative of the metropolitan city of Milan, Noble Lawyer Diego Zoia and Noble Andrea Rivoira, Knights of Grace, members of the Delegation Council. General Alfonso Miro, Commander of Merit and Commander of Lombardy, Daniela Missaglia, Dame Commander of Merit, Grand Officer Alberto Di Maria, Delegate of the Orders of the Royal House of Savoy of Lombardy. Bishop Zappa’s homily was particularly appreciated. At the end, Noble Dr Rizzani conferred diplomas and awards. After the celebration, there was a reception at the “Società del Giardino”, attended by President Engineer Lorenzo Fiori and former President Lawyer Knight Massimo Cerutti.

Curtatone (MN), 14 December 2021 – At the request of specific support from the “San Giovanni Bosco” Family Home of the “Comunità Giovanni XXIII” Association in collaboration with the diocesan Caritas, the Mantua representative Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola, together with Knight Giuseppe Scolaro, acquired and delivered products for personal hygiene, household and foodstuffs to the referent Mrs Eleonora Pisani.

Iseo (BS), 15 December 2021 – Knight Giuseppe Scolaro acquired and donated to the Diocesan Caritas of Iseo 100 litres of extra virgin olive oil, 100 litres of milk, 100 kg of coarse and fine salt, 60 kg of sugar and 25 kg of Grana Padano cheese. The products were handed over to the parish priest of Iseo, Father Giuliano Baronio and the coordinator of Caritas Iseo, Mrs Flora Boldrini.

Brescia, 20 December 2021 – As part of the programme of cooperation with the Diocesan Caritas and following a recommendation by Father Marco Mori, Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola delivered foodstuffs from the food collection carried out by volunteers at Conad supermarkets for various families and elderly people assisted by the parish itself.

Brescia, 21 December 2021 – At the request of “Padri Separati” community at the Franciscan Fathers in Brescia, Knight Maurizio Mirandola and Luciano Mazzola delivered to the referent Father Fiorenzo Reati several foodstuffs, coming from the food collection carried out by the volunteers at Conad supermarkets, which will be used to support the assisted guests.

Brescia, 21 December 2021 – His Most Reverend Excellency Pierantonio Tremolada, Bishop of Brescia, received in audience a representation of Knights and Dames for Christmas greetings. The delegation, led by Noble Giuseppe Rizzani, Delegate of Lombardy, and Prior Monsignor Arnaldo Morandi, was composed of Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola, Representative of Mantua, Knight of Grace Pierluigi Russo, Commander Damiano Zamboni, Knight Officer Arturo Bettoni, Knight Officer Gianni Paroni, Knight Officer Benedetto Magro, Dame Officer Daniela Ambrosi, Dame Officer Laura Salvatore Nocivelli and Knight Alessandro Betta. Bishop Morandi introduced all those present to the Bishop and gave him the annual report of the delegation’s charitable initiatives. A charitable contribution and a valuable bas-relief representing the Immaculate Conception were then offered to the Bishop. The Delegate then took the floor, offering Monsignor Tremolada the warm greetings of the whole delegation and the gift of a bronze medallion celebrating the Basilica “San Giorgio al Palazzo” in Milan and the edict of Constantine promulgated there. In his final greetings, Archbishop Tremolada blessed those present with a holy rosary bearing the episcopal coat of arms.

On Sunday 7 November, the feast of the Holy Bishop Borromeo, to whom the ancient foundation is historically linked and inspired, was solemnly celebrated at the church San Carlo in Brescia, at the “Fondazione Casa di Dio ONLUS”. The celebration, presided over by Monsignor Pierantonio Bodini, Ecclesiastical Commander of Grace and spiritual assistant of the foundation, was attended by a group of Knights of the Delegation of Lombardy. The Order is also the guardian of the shrine “Santa Maria del lino”, which belongs to the foundation’s religious and historical-artistic heritage. At the end of the liturgy, Bishop Bodini made a solemn blessing with a precious and distinguished relic of St. Charles.

Brescia, 12 November 2021 – Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola, together with a volunteer, after having spoken with the Deputy Director of the diocesan Caritas, Marco Danesi, has delivered about a tonne of pellets to the Caritas “Ottavo Giorno”. This material will support the families in need in the mountain area thanks to the local parish Caritas.

Brescia, 13 November 2021 – Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola, Commander Damiano Zamboni, the Knights Samuele Belleri, Giuseppe Scolaro and Romano Savi, the Volunteers Riccardo Monacci and Francesca Ghidini have organised, together with the Association “Gruppo Cinofili Leonessa”, a food collection at the four Conad supermarkets in Brescia. The donations will be given to people or families in need, also thanks to the Brescia diocesan Caritas.

Milan, 5 November 2021 – In the presence of the Commander of the Army, General Alfonso Miro, and the Milan Representative Honorable Gabriele Albertini, the Delegate of Lombardy Mr. Giuseppe Rizzani presented the gold medal of merit to the General of the Army, Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, for his high commitment and extraordinary results achieved in the fight against the pandemic. The event took place at Palazzo Cusani. The insignia was presented by the Grand Treasurer of the Order, H.E. Don Giancarlo Rocco dei Principi di Torrepadula. The Delegate also briefly recalled the numerous activities carried out by the Grand Master and the delegations during this period of emergency.

Saturday, 6 November 2021- The Delegation of Pavia organised a day in Vigevano led by Representative Father Maurizio Ceriani with a mass at the church Saint Francis, celebrated by Bishop Paolo Bonato, followed by a private visit to the cathedral museum and a charity lunch.

On Sunday 7 November, the Curia of Tortona invited Delegate Noble Giuseppe Rizzani to welcome the new Bishop Guido Marini, who greeted him after Mass.

Brescia, Saturday 27 November 2021 – Knight Officer Maurizio Mirandola, Representative for the city of Mantova, personally created an artistic Neapolitan-style nativity scene, which he donated to the Sanctuary Santa Maria del Lino, guarded by the Constantinian Knights. The crib was blessed for the beginning of the Advent by Bishop Pierantonio Bodini, Commander of Ecclesiastical Grace during the weekly Saturday Mass.

The Representative for the city of Lecco, Knight Luigi Rogliano, supervised by the Delegate for Lombardy Mr. Giuseppe Rizzani, donated 30,000 FPP2 masks to the municipalities of Martinengo and Chignolo Pò to tackle the current health crisis. The Delegate and the Representative recalled the love and care that the Order offers to communities in need, receiving the best wishes and thanks from Mayor Mario Seghezzi for Martinengo and Mayor Giacomo Baccalini, who demonstrated a great spirit of solidarity.

Brescia, 30 November 2021. Knight Giuseppe Scolaro acquired several items of clothing and shoes, which were handed over to the association Gruppo Cinofili Leonessa of Brescia. The material will be handled by the volunteers of the association and will be made available to people in need and difficulty assisted by the association.

3 December 2021, Bagnolo Mella (BS) – The pre-Christmas ceremony of the Delegation of Lombardy, with the participation of numerous Dames and Knights, was celebrated in Bagnolo Mella at the shrine Santa Maria della Stella. The Holy Mass was presided over by Episcopal Vicar Father Alfredo Savoldi, assisted by the Prior of the Delegation Msgr. Arnaldo Morandi and other Ecclesiastical Knights of Grace. The Delegate of Lombardy Mr. Giuseppe Rizzani, Commander of Justice, presented diplomas and decorations of merit at the end of the celebration. The evening continued with a pleasant fraternal agape.

Curtatone (MN), 04 October 2021 – Following the support request from the “San Giovanni Bosco” Family Home of the “Giovanni XXIII” Community Association, Knight Andrea Moretti and the volunteer Laura Mazzacani handed over personal hygiene and household products to the Family Home’s representatives, Mrs. Eleonora and her husband Matteo Pisani.

On Sunday, 17 October, in Casei Gerola (Pv), a Holy Mass was held on the occasion of the patronal feast of St. Fortunato, in the famous Collegiate Church governed by the Representative of Pavia, Lodi and Cremona, Father Maurizio Ceriani. H.R.H. Archduke Martin of Habsburg, H.R.H. Prince Serge of Yugoslavia and the Delegate of Lombardy, Noble Dr Giuseppe Rizzani participated. Later, Father Ceriani presented the Order’s medal of merit to Ettore Bellinzona on the occasion of his 60th anniversary.

On Sunday 24 October in Saronno (VA), the Delegation of Lombardy, led by Delegate Noble Giuseppe Rizzani, with the participation of the Representative for Milan Hon. Gabriele Albertini and for Como and Varese, Costantino Canevali, participated at the centuries-old procession of the Transportation of the Crucifix. Everything was organised by Knight Simone Balestrini. The Holy Crucifix was transported by some brethren, and the Delegation was invited to Pallazzo Lazzaroni, together with the Mayor and the Presidents of the local Rotary and Rotaract clubs after a visit to the parish archives. The Delegate explained the Order’s various charitable activities to Dr. Paolo Lazzaroni (owner of the historic company).