News & Press Notes

Bisignano, 6^th March 2016.  After the town of Paola it was the turn of the centuries-old town of Bisignano, homeland of the “ humble friar”, to host the third meeting of the “Month of Mercy”, a solidarity project for the benefit of the needy people of the Region.  The distribution of essential items, donated by Esselunga S.p.A., took place at the charming thirteenth-century Convent-Sanctuary of Sant’Umile da Bisignano (second Saint of Calabria after Saint Francis of Paola). Upon arrival the Delegation was warmly welcomed by Msgr. Luigi Falcone, Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace, Official of the Vatican Secretariat of State and also a man of great faith and vast culture.  Msgr. Falcone is known for his studies and numerous publications on the history of the Mezzogiorno between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, and also on the history of his Bisignano where he manages the Museum of Sacred Art and presides over “Il Palio” Study Centre.  In the same Sanctuary, following the distribution of the goods, the solemn co-celebration of Holy Mass took place, officiated by Father Antonio Martella, Guardian of the Convent-Sanctuary, together with Msgr. Luigi Falcone and Don Espedito De Bonis, parish priest of San Giacomo Apostolo in San Giacomo d’Acri. Father Martella, during his homily, warmly greeted and thanked the Order representatives.  He then went on to say a few words about Sant’Umile, drawing a parallel between the Constantinian Order’s mission and the Saint’s teachings which are those of humility and solidarity in respect of the least of God’s people who he has chosen to bewilder the “wise” and the “powerful” of this world. Charity made him popular with everyone: friars, people and the poor who he used to help by handing out to them what Providence would give him. The Delegate, Nobile Dottore Gianpietro Sanseverino of the Barons of Marcellinara, for his part, thanked all those present and in particular the Order of Friars Minor for their hospitality and Nobile Dottore Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, recently appointed Representative  of Cosenza, for the impeccable organization of the event.

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San Francesco di Paola, 5^th March 2016.  The Delegation for Calabria of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George participated in the Pilgrimage, organized by the Order of Minims of the Religious Province of S. Maria della Stella, to the Sanctuary of Paola on the occasion of the VI Centenary of the birth of Saint Francis.  The event was attended by the Regional  Coordination of Sicily in addition to Religious, Tertiaries, Congregations, Devotees and the SMCOSG Delegations for Naples and Campania, Puglia and Basilicata, Sicily and Calabria. It is worth highlighting the ever intense devotion of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies for the Hermit Saint, worship of whom in 1738 led to the appointment of Saint Francis as the Patron Saint of the Kingdom by H.M. King Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies who proclaimed him the heavenly Patron of Seafarers.

The programme done:

• 10.00 a.m., meeting at Paola and guided tour of the Sanctuary with entry into the Basilica through the Holy Door;
• 11.45 a.m., donation by the Delegation for Calabria of essential items donated by Esselunga S.p.A.;
• 12.00 p.m., Solemn Co-celebration of the Eucharist presided by His Eminence Msgr. Giuseppe Fiorini Morosini, Archbishop of Calabria – Bova;
• 1.30 p.m., packed lunch in the Pilgrim’s Hall;
• 3 p.m., visit to the house where Saint Francis was born;
• 4.45 p.m., visit to the Parish of San Nicola Saggio da Longobardi.

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Terranova Sappo Minulio, 4^th March 2016.  The charming town of Terranova Sappo Minulio, a small municipality with a glorious past in the province of Reggio Calabria, hosted the event known as the “Month of Mercy”: a solidarity project promoted by the Delegation for Calabria. The initiative consists in distributing essential items (donated by Esselunga S.p.A., a well known Italian chain in the large retail sector) to needy people of the Region. The symbolic act of donation was formalized with the celebration of Holy Mass held at the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross and officiated by Reverend Father Rocco Spagnolo, Superior of the Religious Community of Evangelization Missionaries, founded by the late Reverend Father Idà. Before the Eucharistic celebration, father Pasquale Carnovale, parish priest of the Mother Church Santa Maria Assunta, thanked the Delegation because “any good act, any comfort and assistance given to those in need, are like doing them for Jesus”. A rendition on the benefits of giving was also delivered by Dott. Aurelio Badolati, Knight Commander of Merit with Star, Vice Delegate for Calabria, who at the end of the mass said “ it does not matter how many steps we take, nor what shoes we wear.  What matters are the footsteps we leave behind.”  In saying this he was addressing all those who passionately and selflessly give their all in carrying out social work to alleviate the sufferings of others as demonstrated by the Order’s Volunteers, Dott. Giuseppe Pietropaolo and Dott. Marcello Bagalà, who were presented with the Certificate of Constantinian Merit for their joint contribution to the Order.

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