On Thursday 14 September, on the occasion of the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a delegation from Calabria took part in the Mass celebrated by the Vice Prior Mons. Luigi Cannizzo at the church of Candelora in Reggio Calabria.
On Monday 4 September, the Vice Delegate for Sicily, Antonio di Janni, delivered the necessary for the project “Briciole di Salute” that is held every month at the Benedictine Caritas of the Abbey of S. Martino delle Scale. The Vice Delegate was welcomed by Father Bernardo, head of the Caritas, who thanked the delegation for the help provided to the children aged between zero and three years belonging to the needy families assisted by the Benedictine fathers. The project, which has been held for several years at the Benedictine Caritas, is under the high patronage of the Abbot Father Vittorio Rizzone, Knight Gr. Officer of Ecclesiastical Grace.
On wednesday, September 6, the usual donation of food supplies to the Canteen of S. Corrado was held in Noto. Sister Teresa of the Little Friars and Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary welcomed H.R.H. the Princess Beatrix of Bourbon of the Two Sicilies. The Princess was accompanied by the Vice Delegate, Noble Antonio di Janni, and the Comm. Marcello Cantone, contact person for Noto.
On Thursday 7 September, Knight Giulio Pillitteri delivered to the Archpriest of Carini, Father Giacomo Sgroi, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace, the monthly donation by the Sicilian delegation of early childhood principals for children aged between zero and three years belonging to families in need in Carini. Father Giacomo Sgroi instructed Knight Pillitteri to extend his thanks to the Vice Delegate, Noble Antonio di Janni, and to Sicily delegation for the help provided to the needy of the city.
On wednesday, September 13, the usual donation of the principals of the Project “Briciole di Salute” for children aged between zero and three years belonging to the needy families of the Norman city was held at the premises annexed to the Constantinian church of Maria SS degli Agonizzanti in Monreale. The Vice Delegate, Antonio di Janni, together with the Meritorious Lia Giangreco and Antonella Zito, met the needs of about 25 children. In addition to baby food, diapers and biscuits, the mothers were also able to choose clothes and shoes, all new, donated by an anonymous benefactress.
The Sicily delegation, as usual, celebrated the anniversary of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross last 14 September in Barrafranca, at the church Maria SS dell’Itria.
The Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was also celebrated by the Sicily delegation on Sunday, September 17 at the church of Santa Maria della Pietà in Palermo.
On 14 September, a group of Knights of the Sicily delegation took part in the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Mons. Mario Di Pietro, on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Church of S. Giacomo Maggiore in Messina.
The ceremony of Investiture of the new Knights and Dames of the Piedmont and Aosta Valley Delegation took place at the suggestive Masino Castle in Caravino (TO).
The Sacred Rite was presided over by the Prior of the Delegation H.E. Mgr. Roberto Farinella, Bishop of Biella, supported by the Vice Prior Don Augusto Piccoli and the Knights of the Delegation.
After the blessing of the diplomas, imparted by H.E. Mons. Roberto Farinella, the Delegate Count Marco Aurelio Galateri of Genola officially awarded the new Knights and Dames. Of particular importance were the appointments conferred to Senator Paola Ambroggio and to General Enrico Fontana and Carlo Di Somma.
Immediately after the awarding of the diplomas of appointment, the Vice Delegate Knight Nicolò Papurello presented the Medal of Merit to the people who have distinguished themselves for their support to the Delegation.
The ceremony was attended by numerous civil and military authorities from all over Piedmont, including numerous mayors of local municipalities and representatives of the Parliament.
Afterwards, in the evening, a gala lunch was held at the Museum of the carriages in the castle. It was a moment of aggregation that involved the members of the Order, the authorities and sympathizers. At the beginning of the evening, Senator Paola Ambroggio read the speech of the Undersecretary of State for Defense Isabella Rauti. Knight Roberto Ravello, afterwards, read a message by the President of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio addressed to those present.
On sunday, August 27, the representation of Alexandria, led by Dame Simona Delfino upon the invitation of Brother Priest Father Gianpaolo Civillini, went to the Parish of Savignone on the occasion of the patron feast of Saint Augustine for the 1300 years of the translation of the relics in San Pietro in Ciel D’Oro in Pavia.
H.E. Monsignor Corrado Sanguineti, Bishop of Pavia, presided over the solemn celebration and the Vice Prior Don Augusto Piccoli concelebrated.
There were numerous Knights of the representation, together with the local civil and military authorities.
At the end of the procession and the solemn blessing, the Archpriest Father Gianpaolo Civillini invited all present to a moment of fraternal conviviality.
As every year, Dames and Knights of the Ligurian Delegation, together with the Order’s sympathizers, gathered at the splendid consular residence of the Knight Dr. Gerard Deiss. They were welcomed as always with a wonderful hospitality coordinated with great affection by Dame Annie Bonhomme. The occasion also allowed to take stock of the initiatives carried out in the first part of 2023 and to plan those that will occour during autumn. During the religious service, celebrated as a trigesimo of suffrage, the commitment and the many charitable activities of Dame Donatella Pinducciu were recalled. She had prepared, with great dedication, numerous packages to give to children with social and health problems of the Historical Center of Genoa and Western Liguria. These memories have contributed even more to encouraging the members of the Delegation and the many present, who constantly refer to the ethical and religious values of the Constantinian Order, in pursuing with constancy a daily attention to those who are faced with difficulties often insurmountable. In confirming the common commitment to the glorification of the Cross, the pastoral work carried out for 13 years by the Grand Prior Emeritus Reverend Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino was remembered, welcoming with filial devotion the appointment as Grand Prior of Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. After reciting the prayer of the Constantinian Knight, the fraternal meeting ended in the convivial hospitality offered by the Deiss Family in a unique environmental context.
