Massa – February 19th, 2022. H.E. Bishop Gianni Ambrosio, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Massa Carrara – Pontremoli, Prior of the Delegation of Emilia Romagna, presided the Holy Mass in suffrage for Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Mr. Vittorio Iacovacci and Mr. Mustapha Milambo, a year after their deaths, at the Cathedral of Massa.
Ambassador Attanasio had joined the Order as an Knight Officer of Merit upon receiving the investiture during a ceremony held in Lucca on October 6, 2012. Mr. Iacovacci and Mr. Milambo are also linked to the Constantinian Order as they were decorated with the Gold Medal, as well as Ambassador Attanasio, by H.R.H. the Grand Master.
The Holy Mass was also attended by Dario Iacovacci with his family and Mrs. Domenica Benedetto.
The Undersecretary of State for Defense Stefania Pucciarelli, Air Brigadier General Lorenzo De Lorenzo, Commander of the 46 Pisa Air Brigade, and the highest Military and Civil Authorities of the province of Massa Carrara were present at the Holy Mass. Representatives of the different National Military Associations also participated in the ceremony.
The Constantinian Order of Saint George was represented by the Grand Treasurer, H.E. Don Gian Carlo Rocco dei Principi di Torrepadula, the Delegate for Tuscany, Count Ranieri Gastone Adorni Braccesi and many Knights and Dames.
ROME AND LATIUM: FINAL PRESS NOTE ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF THE 161ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE SIEGE OF GAETA IN 1860-1861
As scheduled, on Saturday, February 12th, the celebration of the 161st Anniversary of the end of the Siege of the “Fedelissima” (faithful) Gaeta of 1860 – 1861 was held, in whose defence, together with the Neapolitan army, T.M. King Francis II and Queen Maria Sofia of Bourbon Two Sicilies took part as well.
Among the participants at the ceremony, we mention: H.H. Prince Don Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona, Delegate for Rome and Latium of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, together with the Vice Delegate, Count Riccardo Langosco di Langosco, the Representative for the City of Gaeta Comm. Esq. Salvatore Scafetta, the Counsellor of the Ceremonial of the Sacred Functions, Knight Officer Dr. Rocco Marco Massara Ferrari, the Vice Prior for the City of Rome, Father Ettore Capra and the Vice Prior for Latium, Father Teodoro Beccia; Counsellor Dr. Cristian Leccese, representing the Mayor of the Municipality of Gaeta; Col. Ermanno Lustrino, Commander of the “Nunziatella” Military School; Dr. Giuseppe Catenacci, Hon. President of the “Nunziatella” ex-students Association together with Gen. Antonio Ricciardi, President of the regional section. Moreover, the Commander of the Company of the Carabinieri of Formia Maj. Michele Pascale, Ten. Franco Franchi as well as the representative of the Port Authority of Gaeta C.F. Angelo Napolitano participated, too.
The Rector, Father Nevio Viganò welcomed the numerous participants at the Sanctuary of SS. Trinity at the “Montagna Spaccata” at 11 am. After recalling all the victims of the Siege, the Prayer for Peace written by His Holiness Pope Francis was read out.
Afterwards, the participants in the event went up, along the garden overlooking the stands of the “Trinità Superiore” Battery, towards the southern end of the Gaeta promontory, reaching the pitch overlooking the sea where the Transilvania Battery exploded on February 13, 1861 under the Piedmontese fire.
In that highly suggestive place from a religious, historical and naturalistic points of view, Counselor Dr. Cristian Leccese welcomed the participants and spread the Mayor Dr. Cosimo Mitrano’s greetings; Esq. Salvatore Scafetta, Prince Orsini d’Aragona and Gen. Antonio Ricciardi then took the floor and recalled the moments of the defense of Gaeta underlining the high values of unconditional loyalty, heroism and love for the homeland that animated the Neapolitan soldiers, including several students of the “Nunziatella”, and the citizens of Gaeta. It was highlighted how the citizens of Gaeta, although King Francis asked them to leave the city during the bombing, bravely decided to stay within the walls of the fortress to share their tragic fate during 103 days of the Siege.
At the end of the speeches, the now thirty-year ceremony of the re-enactment of the flag-raising was carried out and the subsequent throwing into the sea of the wreath offered by “Nunziatella” ex-students Association, previously blessed by Vice Priors Father Ettore Capra and Father Teodoro Beccia.
During the afternoon the participants were received at the Diocesan Museum by the Director Gennaro Petruccelli, who described the main works exhibited in the museum, including the banner of the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571, hoisted on the flagship of the papal fleet which left the harbour of Gaeta, which after the victory was donated to the City Cathedral.
At the end of the day, the Holy Mass in suffrage of the Fallen of 1860-61 and of T.M. the Servant of God King Francis II and Queen Maria Sofia of Bourbon Two Sicilies was celebrated at 5:30 pm at the Cathedral by H.E. the Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari.
The liturgy was concelebrated by the parish priest Father Antonio Centola and by Father Alessio Tomao, assisted by Father Ettora Capra and Father Teodoro Beccia. During the homily, while emphasizing the current need for peace, the Celebrant also highlighted the Christian virtues of the Sovereigns and their sincere love for the people. At the end, a suffrage prayer was read in front of the Neapolitan Officers’ Shrine kept in the Cathedral. Among the Constantinian Knights who attended, we mention Knight of Justice Nob. Massimo Patroni Griffi Duke of Roscigno, Comm. Pres. Vincenzo Zottola and Esq. Giuseppe Gallinaro.
An indelible memory of the day remained in the hearts of all the participants. All the events took place in the name of sobriety and respect for those who, thanks to their actions, left to future generations a perennial patrimony of spiritual, human and military values 161 years ago.
CALABRIA: ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY
On Friday, February 4th, 2022, the usual moment of prayer of the delegation, presided by Chaplain Msgr. Filippo Ramondino, was held at Rosary Church in Vibo Valentia, in the presence of Dames, Knights and sympathizers of the Order. The topic discussed was the following: “the Trust”. On this occasion, a significant amount of geriatric aid was also delivered to the “Padre Vincenzo Ida” nursing home, located in Pizzo.
On February 7th, the Delegation of Calabria donated an adequate amount of food to the “Il Samaritano” Association managed by the “Santa Maria Vergine” parish in Polistena (RC) headed by Don Pino Demasi and the Sisters of the Divine Will. For more than 30 years, the association has been helping those in need in Polistenese and its surroundings.
SOUTHERN EAST ASIA: BANGKOK, FEBRUARY 9TH, 2022
Bangkok, February 9th, 2022 – On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, upon invitation of H.E. Lorenzo Galanti, Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Delegate and the Vice Delegate have attended a reception followed by the movie screening “A Starry Sky Above the Roman Ghetto”.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Israeli Embassy, was also attended by the Ambassadors of the Cambodia, European Union, Morocco, Poland.
H.E. AMBASSADOR SPADA TURNS 90
Bangkok, February 2nd 2022 – On this auspicious date, 02.02.2022, H.E. Don Antonio Benedetto Spada celebrated his 90th birthday in Bangkok, in the company of prominent personalities of the Palace, the Diplomatic Corps and the Aristocracy, including Dame Phoranee Mahanon, from the Office of H.M. the Queen Mother; H.E. Lorenzo Galanti, Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; H.E. Pradap Pibulsonggram, former Thai Ambassador to the Italian Republic and the Sovereign Order of Malta and Top Officer at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Kingdom’s spokesperson to the South East Asian Community (ASEAN).
With particular emphasis and emotion, H.E. Don Antonio Benedetto Spada announced to the guests that for this special occasion, H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master, had the sensitive generosity of including him in the small list of Knights belonging to the Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius. The appointment, received during the same day of the birthday, significantly seals a decades-long friendship and collaboration.
Surprised and admired, the guests toasted appreciating a portrait, donated and unveiled during that moment, of the Delegate for Southeast Asia and Counselor of the Royal House that represents him in the highest estate, including the highest honor of the Order of Saint Januarius.