News & Press Notes

The new Bishop of Mileto-Nicotera-Tropea, Monsignor Attilio Nostro was officially installed. On 2 October, he took canonical possession of the diocese. After the beautiful ceremony in the ancient Cathedral of Mileto, the Bishop met the civil and military authorities as well as the Grand Officer Aurelio Badolati, Vice Delegate of Calabria. It was a very cordial meeting, during which Bishop Attilio Nostro underlined the important mission of our Sacred Militia.

Cosenza, 9 October 2021- An important day in the ancient city of Bruzia, accompanied by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. Knights from all the provinces of Calabria and from Sicily, Basilicata, Campania and Apulia met in the “Salone degli Stemmi” of the Archbishop’s Palace from early Saturday afternoon. The majestic procession started from Piazza Parrasio and crossed Corso Telesio, preceded by forty musicians, dressed in historical uniforms dating back to 1841, from the Band of the Royal Philharmonic Academy of Gerace, winner of the Constantinian gold medal, who performed a variety of classical music, until it reached Piazza Duomo. All the participants and guests attended the investiture of the 31 Knights and Dames and 8 promotions. The important Eucharistic celebration, which began with a greeting by H.E. Most Rev. Monsignor Francescantonio Nolè, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, was presided over by Archbishop Emeritus of Reggio Calabria-Bova Monsignor Vittorio Luigi Mondello, Knight Grand Cross of Ecclesiastic Grace and Prior of the Delegation of Calabria. The gonfalons of Cosenza and the province of Cosenza, as well as the Delegations from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Holy Sepulchre welcomed the Knights of the Order. After reading H.R.H. the Grand Master’s message, a captivating choir performed in the ancient 13th century church, in the presence of Don Gianpietro dei Principi Sanseverino dei Baroni di Marcellinara, Delegate of Calabria, Grand Officer Dr. Aurelio Badolati, Vice Delegate, and the Noble Knight Dr. Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, representative of Cosenza. We thank the volunteers of CISOM, the Order of Malta’s Italian Ambulance Corps, who coordinated the reception of the participants in the Cathedral of Cosenza. On Sunday morning, the guests enjoyed a splendid guided tour of the ancient and noble city centre, thanks to the guidance of Francesco Paolo Dodato, an expert in Cosenza history.

Donation in Polistena (RC) – On Monday, 04 October 2021, in order to celebrate the liturgical memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Delegation of Calabria donated clothing and basic necessities to the Blessed “Luigi Monti” Institute in Polistena. The Institute is run by the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Conceptionist Fathers. The Institute houses 29 guests aged between 4 and 16. The children are supported in every aspect of their lives, from school attendance, to play, to material and spiritual formation. Especially the younger ones enjoyed the donation, who immediately put on their new clothes, which were presented to the Delegation by Dame Marianna Foti. On the other hand, the older ones enjoyed a tasty snack with sweets donated by the Delegation.

Reggio Calabria, 12 October – 100 hot meals in single portions were delivered to the Caritas of the Church Saint Francis of Assisi. The donation was made by Knight Antonino Campolo.

Vibo Valentia. On 7 October, a group of the Delegation of Calabria, led by Vice Delegate Aurelio Badolati, once again took part in the Holy Commemoration of Thanksgiving, Liturgical Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary, on the occasion of the celebrations in her honour in the city of Vibo Valentia. The liturgy, presided over by Monsignor Filippo Ramondino, Bishop of the Mileto – Nicotera – Tropea Diocese and Chaplain for the city of Vibo Valentia of the Sacred Military Order of Saint George, was held in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. At the end of the celebration, a donation was made to the Archconfraternity Maria SS. del Rosario e San Giovanni Battista.