Delegation of Sicily

Palermo, 27 November 2015. On Friday 27 November, a conference – entitled ‘The Later Years of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies through the historical lens of Mons. Del Pozzo and a bibliographical approach to HRH The Prince Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies”. Speakers at the event were: Eminent Professor Manlio Corselli, Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Palermo and the historian Maurizio Di Giovine. The conference panel was moderated by the Vice Delegate of the Delegation for Sicily of the Constantinian Order, Antonio di Janni. Attendees included the Delegate for Western Sicily of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Baron Vincenzo Calefati di Canalotti, and the Representative for the ‘Nunziatella’ Military Academy, General Antonio Jovane. After the introductory address, an interesting debate took place in which the latter part of the Bourbon years in our land was discussed.

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Monreale, November 2015. Two different events, which were held in the Monreale branch of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, situated alongside the Church of ‘Maria SS degli Agonizzanti’ (‘Blessed Mary for the Agonising’) and which were concerned to distribute children’s food and accessories, saw participation by the Vice Delegate along with the following Knights: Salvatore Vassallo, Carmelo Sammarco, and Vincenzo Nuccio. The Delegation was assisted by the volunteering team currently working on the project. As many as forty families braved weather conditions, standing in a queue for a chance to pick up their share of nappies, homogenised baby food, baby milk, both standard and dairy-free for toddlers with milk allergies. Food supplies were also distributed at the same event, including cookies, sugar and other food items. Based on a rough estimate of 2-3 children per family unit (up to 5 in some cases), the Delegation of Sicily, headed by the Grand Prior, His Most Reverend Eminence Mons. Michele Pennisi, is currently providing assistance to about 90 children at events held on a fortnightly basis. As Christmas draws near, the Constantinian Delegation is planning to go the extra mile to give even more needy children a smile in December.

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Monreale, 22 November 2015. A piano concerto, played by Maestro Salvatore Gaglio, was held in the Church of ‘Maria SS degli Agonizzanti’ (Blessed Mary for the Agonising) in Monreale on Sunday 22 November. This was the second such performance in the classical season organised by the Delegation for Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. Art director for the event was the knight and Professor Alberto Giacchino. At the end of the concert, the Vice Delegate extended cordial greetings and deep gratitude on behalf of the Delegation in a letter of appreciation which he presented to the young Maestro. Among those attending were Professor Manuela Quadrante and Councillor Pica. The programme included works by Chopin, Wagner and Beethoven.

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Sciacca, 22 November 2015. A contingent of Constantinian Knights, headed by Commander Elio Zuccarello, attended a religious service, held at the Church of ‘San Michele Arcangelo’ (‘St Michael the Archangel’), to mark the Feast of Christ the King. Before the celebration of the Eucharist, the Delegation of Knights, who had received a warm welcome from parish priest Don Pasqualino Barone, carried in procession a reliquary of the Holy Thorns of Christ from the Church of San Salvatore (Badia Grande) to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. Prior to officiating the Liturgy of the Mass, Don Pasqualino Barone, in a brief historical account, retraced the events leading up to the discovery of the Holy Thorns by Saint Helen, mother of St. Constantine, Emperor and founder of the Equestrian Order. Don Barone also remembered how the Holy Reliquary was part of a donation made by the ‘d’Angiò Family’ back in 1383. Adding to his presentation, he explained to an attentive congregation that the Holy Thorns can only ever be carried in solemn procession on ‘Quasimodo Sunday’ (‘Dominica in Albis’, the first Sunday after Easter) and on ‘Christ the King Sunday’. This was authorised following a decree issued by the competent bishop. At the end of the liturgical celebrations, in an atmosphere suffused with deep religious emotion, the Holy Reliquary was offered to the faithful to be kissed. Among those present were the following Knights: Elio Zuccarello, Erasmo Miceli, Giuseppe Lipari, Salvatore Notarianni and Baldassare Cacioppo.

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Patti (ME), November 2015. The Vice Delegate for Sicily, Mr Antonio di Janni, escorted by Commander Carmelo Sammarco and Constantinian Chaplain Don Antonio Cipriano, Archpriest of Caronia, Constantinian Chaplain of Ecclesiastical Grace and Head of Religious Ceremonies for the Delegation of Sicily, were received by His Most Reverend Eminence Mons. Ignazio Zambito, Bishop of Patti (ME) and Ecclesiastical Knight Commander of Grace. During the meeting, at which plans for future events to be held in the Dioceses of Patti were discussed, the Vice Delegate presented the Bishop with the book “Memoirs and Histories of the Archbishops of Monreale” and a medal commemorating the XVII centenary of the Edict of Constantine which ushered in religious freedom. The relevance of the Edict cannot be overstated at a time when freedom of religion is under considerable threat as the terror attacks in France recently demonstrated.

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