Delegation of United States of America

The American Delegation of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies celebrated the investiture of new Knights and Dames of both the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I on February 16. The Constantinian Investiture Ceremony and Votive Mass of the Holy Cross took place at St. Edward Church in Palm Beach, presided by the Delegation’s First Subprior, His Excellency Bishop Arthur Serratelli. The celebration saw eight men and women enter the Order, including a Dame of Justice, an Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace and a Knight Officer of Merit, the former Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See. In the late afternoon, at the Cars of Dreams Museum, an Investiture Ceremony for eight Knights and Dames of the Royal Order of Francis I took place, including a Dame Officer, the former Ambassador of the United States to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Following the Investiture, 150 people enjoyed the black-tie Gala which raised funds for relief efforts for the previous year’s Hurricane Ian which had affected countless people.

Various events and activities of the American Delegation of the Constantinian Order took place during the summer months, after the conclusion of the Ukrainian appeal, in which the Delegation actively participated.

A print newsletter, the first in over a decade, was restarted and sent to the Delegation members. A gala reception was held during the month of July to benefit the restoration of a historic church, with over 200 people in attendance. Two investiture ceremonies were celebrated, as well as the titular feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Besides being invited to assist at local celebrations, Knights and Dames continued their own works of charity. The Delegation is scheduling events and charitable projects for next year.

Although the Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter took precedence, American knights and dames gathered to honor their patron, St. George the Martyr, on his usual feast day of April 23 with an evening Mass. The Mass was celebrated by the subprior of the American Delegation, Rev. Uff. Edmund Luciano, at the Church of Saint Mary of Mount Virgin (Visitation Parish) in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Following the Mass, the knights and dames (some who had come from across the country) celebrated with a festive meal at a nearby restaurant.

The esteemed Delegate of the American Delegation of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, together with the Vice Delegate and a representation of Knights and Dames of the Constantinian Order, assisted at Holy Mass celebrated on April 2, 2022 by the Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Most Rev. Robert Brennan, for the feast of the Patron Saint of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and great miracle worker St. Francis of Paola, in the church dedicated to him in Brooklyn, New York.

The American Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and the Royal Order of Francis I gathered for Holy Mass on Saturday, March 19, 2022, the Solemnity of St. Joseph. The Mass, celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey, coinciding with the day’s feast, was offered for the repose of the soul of the late Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders, HRH Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies on the 14th anniversary of his death (+ 20 March 2008). Following the Mass, the Knights and Dames present enjoyed traditional Italian foods customarily prepared for the feast of St. Joseph. Also observed was the 25th Anniversary of the Investiture of 20 Knights and Dames in the Dynastic Orders, to whom the Delegate extended the best wishes of the entire Delegation.