News & Press Notes

Napoli – A holy mass for the knights and dames of the delegation was celebrated on January 29 in the Oratory of the Assumption in the Girolamini Monumental Complex on Via Duomo in Naples. The mass was officiated by Father Andrea Cabes, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace and Rector of the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes.

This was an important moment for the Delegation, both because the mass was celebrated in an architectural jewel that is normally closed to the public and because of the participation of the group of volunteers from the Honor Guard for the Royal Sepulchers of the Bourbon Sovereigns.

Father Cabes was in Naples as the guest of Knight Commander Angelo Marciano, responsible for the pilgrimages of the Constantinian Order and Counselor for the Delegation. Father Cabes, invited by Vice Delegate Mariano Bruno, was present for the opening of the Consular Year, held at the Circolo dell’Unione, together with representative Knights and Dames.

Read more

Naples – In December the Delegation resumed its activity of providing complete assistance to the less fortunate by restoring and repairing the Constantinian Medical Clinic.

The Delegate, Marchioness Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo of the Princes of Sant’Elia has decided to confirm as head of the facility Dott. Luigi Andreozzi, who had managed the facility in the past with effectiveness and dedication.

This is a critically important group consisting of more than 20 physicians with different specialties, supported by a volunteer nursing staff, who follow an efficient schedule to provide free medical care. Among the many people who benefited from this service was a young homeless woman came to the Constantinian clinic as she was preparing to give birth.

Thanks to the effective intervention of the doctors at the Clinic the woman gave birth to the infant in the Naples Hospital Loreto Mare.

The Delegation collected funds for the newborn and  thanks to Dott. Luigi Andreozzi, mother and child were welcomed on 27 January in the “Casa di Tonia” shelter, founded and managed by His Eminence Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice of our Order.

With the help of Father Luigi Castiello, and under the supervision of the Campania Delegation, on March 5 the child was christened “Aurora Beatrice”,  in honor of H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, who was in Naples at the time.

The month of January began with a private visit to Naples by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order.

Her Royal Highness visited Naples together with several prestigious guests  interested in the Royal Bourbon sites and the history of the great and valuable creations produced by the Royal House, such as the ancient silk works of San Leucio and the Capodimonte porcelain.

The Delegate assisted the illustrious guests by organizing several visits, including to the National Archeological Museum of Naples, where there was an exhibit on Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies and as well as a display of several pieces lent by H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House. The group also visited the Zevallos Palace to see the extraordinary exhibit of Salvatore Fergola, painter for the Bourbon Court. They were  accompanied and guided by a descendant of the painter and well known antique dealer, Luigi Schisano, Knight of Merit with Star.

After visiting the Royal Palace of Caserta and the San Leucio silk works, the Princess and her guests, three important patrons and lovers of music and art history, enjoyed a “typical” dinner, a sumptuous meal with all the elements that are so characteristic of the Parthenopean tradition, as guests of notary Cappelli.  In addition to the Delegate of the Order,  Marchioness Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo of the Princes of Sant’Elia, invited guests also included two professors from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Naples, currently working on a project on the “Grand Tour”  and who explained a great deal about the history of art in the city of Naples.  On the following day, the Marquises Leopoldo and Federica de Gregorio Cattania of the Princes of Sant’Elia hosted a reception for Princess Beatrice and her guests in their residence at Palazzo Ischitella. Also invited were the Council members of the Naples and Campania Delegation and several guests from the more important cultural associations of the city, including the “Friends of Capodimonte”.

Read more