In February, on the occasion of the ‘Day of the Sick’, the Delegation of Molise, represented by its Secretary Commander Giuseppe D’Amico and by Knights Giuseppe Di Nonno, Roberto D’Aloisio, Cristian di Paola, Michele Di Maio and postulants, handed over a significant donation of clothing and shoes to the “Fisiomedica Loretana” rehabilitation centre, located in Toro (CB). This institute has been operating in Molise since 1988, and since its development it has been dealing with the wellbeing of patients, especially the elderly. Among the in-patients, received with all due care, there are also patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, who are cared for until they achieve the greatest possible functional recovery, supporting their families and preserving their dignity. The charitable operation received warm thanks from the Legal Representative of the facility, Ms. Stefania Giacci, together with her collaborators, who received fraternal greetings from the Delegate, Duke Ettore d’Alessandro di Pescolanciano, who is very sensitive to these social assistance structures. The group of Constantinian brothers, who joined the initiative, were joyfully welcomed by the clinic guests, who expressed gratitude and appreciation with smiles and repeated heartfelt thanks, making the Delegation’s motto ‘a gift for a smile’ concrete.
PIEDMONT AND VALLE D’AOSTA: FEBRUARY 2024 INITIATIVES
On Sunday, 4th February, at the church of the “Istituto Divina Provvidenza” in Alessandria, Dame Simona Delfino led the celebration dedicated to the memory of Blessed Marie Christine of Savoy for the Knights of Alessandria. During the Eucharistic celebration, the Vice Prior of the Delegation of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, Father Augusto Piccoli, outlined the spiritual figure of Blessed Marie Christine as a queen of charity and holiness towards her people, especially towards the poorest and the suffering. At the request of the representative and some knights and ladies, a donation of sanitary items was made for the elderly hosted in this care home.
LOMBARDY: JANUARY 2024 ACTIVITIES
On Sunday, 28 January in Lanzo D’Intelvi, after the Holy Mass celebrated by the Commander of Ecclesiastical Grace Monsignor Luigi Mistò during the celebration for the 350th anniversary of the Sanctuary of Madonna di Loreto, the Delegate Count Giuseppe Rizzani and the Como representative Costantino Canevali awarded the gold medal of merit to the Committee led by Brother Gabriele Lombardo. In 2014, the Order donated a scagliola bas-relief by Floriano Bodini and a publication on the church history.
San Gervasio Bresciano, 1st february 2024. In the presence of the Prior of the Delegation and Parish Priest of the “Chiesa dei SS Gervasio e Protasio Martiri” of San Gervasio Bresciano and the Secretary of the Delegation, Knight Grand Officer Maurizio Mirandola, the Constantinian Order and the Foundation “Tanghetti and Chiari” handed over a large quantity of modelling clay, useful for the students works to the Foundation “Scuola Materna Barbara Ferrazzi”, which hosts 120 children from nursery to pre-school age. The entire school attended the event: the teachers, the teacher coordinator Debora Lazzari, the staff, the secretary Mrs. Domenica Mantelli, and above all the little children, who showed all their joy and enthusiasm.
Brescia, January 2024. The supply of basic necessities to the Ukrainian population continues. Dame Officer Katia Chiari, president of “Tanghetti & Chiari Onlus” foundation, assisted by the representation of Brescia, has procured a large quantity of goods: food products also for children, clothing, linen, various pieces of furniture and household appliances, which were then transported to refugee reception areas, both on the border and on the Ukrainian territory, through humanitarian corridors.
Lombardy, Brescia, 15th february 2024. A group of Knights and Dames, made up of Knight Vincenzo Arici, Knight of Justice Paolo Landriani, Dame Katia Chiari, Dame Laura Salvatore Nocivelli and Knight Benedetto Magro, took part in the solemn pontifical ceremony of the Bishop of Brescia H.E. Mons. Pierantonio Tremolada. All the city authorities and many faithful people were present.
On 2 February, Mons. Gianni Zappa and Mons. Luigi Misto’ celebrated a Mass in favour of H.R.H. Archduchess Margherita of Austria Este on the second anniversary of her passing and of her sister H.R.H. Princess Maria Cristina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, who passed away recently.
Lombardy- Brescia, Parish of San Gervasio Bresciano – During the Holy Mass on the first Sunday of Lent, in the parish of Saint Martyrs Gervasio and Protasio, Father Charbel El Khoury, a Lebanese monk of the Maronite Order, presided over the liturgy. Father Charbel is the coordinator of the collection of medicines destined for the current difficult socio-economic situation in Lebanon for Italy. The initiative, proposed by Father Pierantonio Bodini to Prior Fatherr Arnaldo Morandi, immediately found the availability and approval of the Delegate of Lombardy. This morning, medicines collected by parishioners in recent weeks were brought to the altar, as much material has already been delivered in recent months. In addition to the pharmacological material collected, an important donation of special medicines was made by Postulant Marino Appodia.
ROME AND LAZIO: BLESSING OF ANIMALS – FEAST OF SAINT ANTHONY THE ABBOT
17th January is the feast day of Saint Anthony the Abbot, and the Delegation of Rome and Lazio commemorated it, in line with the ancient tradition, with a Eucharistic celebration held on 21st January in the Church of SS. Annunziata in Minturno (LT), with the presence of children and adults who brought along their small or large four-legged friends for the traditional blessing. After the blessing by parish priest Father Adriano, people received a personal certificate of participation.
ROME AND LAZIO – DONATION TO THE “ELEMOSINERIA APOSTOLICA”
Last 24th January, Marquis Giuseppe Ferrajoli, Delegate for Rome and Lazio, Noble Esq. Gualtiero Ventura, accompanied by the General Secretary of the Order, Mr. Giampaolo Grazian, went to the “Elemosineria Apostolica” for a donation of about 1500 packets of medical products, that will be gifted to needy people seeking refuge near the Colonnade of St Peter’s by H.R.H. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
This donation has strenghtened the deep bond between the Order and the Vatican institutions.