Isola del Gran Sasso, Saturday, 13 August – A religious ceremony was celebrated in the Sanctuary of San Gabriele of Our Lady of Sorrows of the Passion of Christ Congregation. Hundreds of youngsters from the tent camp attended the ceremony, an initiative of catholic apostolate promoted by the Passionist Fathers. The Holy Mass was officiated by His Most Reverend Eminence, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for H.H. Pope Francis. The Cardinal was greeted warmly by all present and was assisted by His Most Reverend Eminence Bishop of Teramo-Atri, Mons. Michele Seccia.
Also present were various Knights from the Marche-Umbria Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, led by H.E. Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the chivalric institution and Head of Cabinet for H.R.H. Prince Grand Master Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro. Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqua was accompanied by his family and by confrere Roberto Frittelli, Commander of the Carabinieri Lieutenancy of Falconara Marittima.
At the conclusion of the convivial affair provided by the Passionist Fathers, Ambassador Balboni Acqua conveyed the greetings of the Head of the Royal House, the Duke of Castro, and sincerely thanked the other illustrious guests, assuring the Passionist Fathers of his continued commitment to financially support the charitable initiatives underway. Special reference was made to the construction of a hospital in the Congregation’s Mission in Tanzania, in the Zenetti area of the Diocese of Tanga. The clinic will provide medical care to approximately 50,000 people in the eastern area of the country, including various rural villages. In previous years the Constantinian Knights of the Marche region funded the construction of a well in the Itizo area of the aforementioned Mission to supply and distribute water to about a thousand local families.
Along with the ceremony there was a brief confidential conversation between Ambassador Balboni Acqua and His Most Eminent Cardinal Secretary of State in memory of the numerous cordial meetings that took place in the offices of the Secretariat of State and in the Italian Embassy to the Holy See during 2004-2007.
RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN THE SANCTUARY OF SAN GABRIELE OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS CHURCH IN COLLEDARA, ISOLA DEL GRAN SASSO, ABRUZZO