Delegation of Sicily

Palermo, 18^th December 2015.  In the Church of San Nicola da Tolentino, the Extraordinary Holy Year dedicated to Mercy experienced a particularly evocative moment.  Thanks to the initiative of the Constantinian Chaplain Reverend Don Giuseppe Scrivano, the Relics of Saint John Paul II arrived in Palermo and were kept in the Parish of San Francesco di Paola in Catania.  The Constantinian Knights received them in Piazza Bellini together with many faithful from Palermo. After a short procession, a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration took place presided by the Reverend Constantinian Chaplain Monsignor Salvatore Grimaldi and co-celebrated by the Reverend Mons. Gino Lo Galbo and Don Giuseppe Scrivano, they too members of our Order.  In his homily, Mons. Grimaldi, quoting long passages from the Encyclical Letter Dives in Misericordia, highlighted with joy and emotion the great idea that His Holiness the Pope has had to wish to spread throughout  the World the devotion and worship of Divine Mercy.

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Enna, December 2015.  The presence of the relics of His Holiness Pope John Paul II served as an emblem in St. Mark’s church in Enna at the opening ceremony of the Jubilee of Mercy launched by Pope Francis. The solemn Holy Mass was presided by Reverend Father Giuseppe Scrivano, parish priest of San Francesco di Paola di Catania and Chaplain of our Order.  Reverend Don Giuseppe Rugolo, Vicar of the Mother Church of Enna was also present. The organization of the religious ceremony was managed, among others, by our Constantinian Confrère, the Knight of Merit Dr. Matteo Bertino. Don Giuseppe Rugolo reminded us that by entering through the Holy door we discover the depth of the mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and personally goes towards each one of us. At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, Knight Matteo Bertino handed the bronze medal of merit of the Order granted by the Grand Master, to Mr. Mario Di Prima and to Mr. Davide Frenna.

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Monreale, 12^th December 2015.  The church of Monreale, the Most Blessed Mary of the Agonizing, acted as venue for the Christmas concert promoted by the Sicilian Delegation.   Maestro Alberto Giacchino, a Constantinian Knight and Artistic Director of the Constantinian concert seasons, organized a concert in memory of Sr. Anna Giovanna together with her pupils who now teach at the same institute of Sant’Anna.  Sr. Anna Giovanna attained a diploma in piano at the Conservatory of Naples.  She taught in Catania at the institute for the blind and in Palermo at the Sant’Anna Institute. Her school produced many well known artists in Italy.  The very young musicians who performed in front of a full audience were between the age of 7 and 15.

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Sicily, December 2015.  On 12^th December, H.E. the Most Reverend Mons. Michele Pennisi, Archbishop of Monreale, opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Monreale. On 13^th December, feast of Saint Lucia, His Excellency the Most Reverend Mons. Giorgio Demetrio Gallaro, opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Piana degli Albanesi; while His Excellency the Most Reverend Mons. Rosario Gisana opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral in Piazza Armerina. On 19^th December, His Excellency the Most Reverend Mons. Ignazio Zambito, Bishop of Patti, opened the Holy Door of the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tindari. All the ceremonies were attended by delegations of Dames and Knights who, in the spirit of the message of Pope Francis, referred to in the speeches of all the prelates, will endeavour in the course of this Holy year to be more present in an Order that daily tries to change according to the wishes of the Lord’s mercy.

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Monreale, 4 December 2015. During a celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by the Constantinian Chaplain Don Nicola Gaglio and held at the Church of ‘Maria SS. Agonizzanti’ in Monreale, whose premises have been provisionally free-leased to the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George at the behest of the Archbishop of Monreale, His Most Reverend Eminence Mons. Michele Pennisi, Constantinian Prior for Sicily, the ‘Association of the Artillery Corps’ of Palermo, marked the Feast of St Barbara by paying homage to the saint of the same name, Patroness of all Artillery soldiers, combat engineers as well as firemen, sailors, miners and architects. A painting commemorating the Virgin-Martyr, along with a relic of the Saint herself, originally donated by Commander Vincenzo Nuccio which our Grand Prior, the Archbishop of Monreale, His Most Reverend Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino had entrusted to his care on the advice of the Constantinian Chaplain Don Antonio Cipriano, was what led the Association to choose our own church as the venue for the celebration. Numerous Artillery officers, together with their families, attended the event. Also in attendance were the President of ‘UNUCI’, Claudio Zaccardo; Nastro Azzurro Regional President, Ugo Frasconà, a Constantinian Knight; President of the Italian Cadet Division for Palermo, Antonio Girgenti. A delegation of the Constantinian Order, headed by the Vice Delegate, along with the Commander Carmelo Sammarco, and escorted by the following knights: Fabrizio Ippoliti, Domenico Scapatie and Ugo Frasconà, joined the celebrations. At the end of the ceremony, the President of ‘Unuci’ presented a crest of the Association of the Artillery Corps to the Constantinian Chaplain.

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