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ROME AND LATIUM: FINAL PRESS NOTE ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF THE 161ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE SIEGE OF GAETA IN 1860-1861

16/02/2022

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.

*Vice Prior for Latium, Father Teodoro Beccia and Vice Prior for the City of Rome, Father Ettore Capra set out for the Sanctuary of the SS. Trinity at the “Montagna Spaccata*“ *(Cracked Mountain).*

*Two young students of the “Nunziatella” Military School, who came to attend the memorial ceremony for the fallen of the siege of Gaeta*.

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 Delegate for Rome and Latium, Prince Lelio Orsini and Col. Ermanno Lustrino, Commander of the “Nunziatella” Military School, are approaching the church entrance*

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.

*The Rector, Father Nevio Viganò welcomes the participants by reciting the Prayer for Peace written by His Holiness Pope Francis.*

From right to left: Army Corps General Antonio Ricciardi, the representative of the Mayor of Gaeta, Cousellor Dr. Cristian Leccese, the Vice Delegate Count Riccardo Langosco di Langosco, Prince Don Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona, Col. Ermanno Lustrino and the Representative for the City of Gaeta, Comm. Esq. Salvatore Scafetta

The Delegate Lelio Orsini d’Aragona and the Representative for the City of Gaeta Salvatore Scafetta leaving the Church; on the left the Councilor of the Ceremonial of Sacred Functions Knight Officer Dr. Rocco Marco Massara Ferrari

*The banner of the “Nunziatella” Association; on the left a young student wearing the uniform*

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.

*The participants head towards the “Montagna Spaccata”; in the foreground Esq. Scafetta, Prince Orsini and Knight Massara Ferrari*

The representative for the City of Gaeta, Comm. Salvatore Scafetta, the Delegate for Rome and Latium, Prince Lelio Orsini and Counselor Dr. Cristian Leccese at the beginning of the path towards “Montagna Spaccata”

*The Delegate, Prince Orsini d’Aragona and Dr. Cristian Leccese; the Gulf of Gaeta in the background.*

Placing of the Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies on the top of the “Cracked Mountain” by the Representative for the City of Gaeta and the Councilor of the Ceremonial of the Sacred Functions of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

From right to left: Gen. Antonio Ricciardi, the Hon. President of the “Nunziatella” Alumni Association, Dr. Giuseppe Catenacci, the Delegate Lelio Orsini d’Aragona, Counselor Dr. Cristian Leccese, Comm. Esq. Salvatore Scafetta and the Vice Delegate Riccardo Langosco di Langosco.

*All the participants, having reached the top of the “Montagna Spaccata”, awaiting the memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Siege of Gaeta.*

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.

*Counselor Cristian Leccese, representing the Mayor of the Municipality of Gaeta, Dr. Cosmo Mitrano, opens the ceremony by thanking the participants.*

*Esq. Salvatore Scafetta, as Representative for the City of Gaeta of the Constantinian Order, adresses the audience commemorating the fallen.*

*From right to left: Counselor Cristian Leccese, Esq. Salvatore Scafetta and Count Riccardo Langosco*

*Lieutenant Salvatore Ferrillo with two young students of the Military School “Nunziatella”*

*The Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies; the Gulf of Gaeta in the background.*

*The Delegate for Rome and Latium of the Constantinian Order Lelio Orsini d’Aragona addresses the audience commemorating the fallen of the Siege of Gaeta.*

*Col. Ermanno Lustrino, Commander of the “Nunziatella” Military School, praises the great courage of the soldiers of the “Nunziatella” on the occasion of the Siege of Gaeta.*

*The Vice Prior for the city of Rome, Father Ettore Capra and Lieutenant Salvatore Ferrillo listen to Commander Lustrino’s speech*

*Gen. Antonio Ricciardi, President of the regional section of “Nunziatella” ex-students Association, praises the soldiers who died during 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.

*Father Ettore Capra and Father Teodoro Beccia bless the Crown of Flowers dedicated to the memory of the fallen.*

*The Representative for the city of Gaeta Salvatore Scafetta raises the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.*

Launch of the Crown of Flowers in the sea by Dr. Giuseppe Catenacci, Hon. President of the “Nunziatella” ex-students Association, Col. Ermanno Lustrino and two young students of the Military School.

At the end of the ceremony, the Delegate Lelio Orsini and the Counselor of the Ceremonial Marco Massara Ferrari talk with the Commander of the Company of Carabinieri of Formia, Maj. Michele Pascale and Commander of Carabinieri of Gaeta, Ten. Franco Franchi.

*Specifics of the brochure illustrating the events that occurred during the Siege of Gaeta.*

*General Antonio Ricciardi and a former student of the Military School with the banner of the “Nunziatella” ex-students Association.*

*The Vice Delegate Count Riccardo Langosco di Langosco and the 1st Lieutenant Salvatore Ferrillo talk with the two young students of the “Nunziatella” Military School.*

The three generations of students of “Nunziatella” Military School who took part in the ceremony. From left to right: two young students, Commander Ermanno Lustrini, the Hon. President Giuseppe Catenacci, the President of the regional Section Antonio Ricciardi, a former student and 1st Lieutenant Salvatore Ferrillo.

The representation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George together with the members of the “Nunziatella” Military School, its alumni, the representative of the Mayor of Gaeta and the Commanders of “Carabinieri” of Formia and Gaeta.

*Knight Marco Massara Ferrari and Father Ettore Capra.*

*Specifics of the uniform of a students belonging to the 232nd course of “Nunziatella” Military School.*

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.

*Prince Don Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona greets the Director of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta Gennaro Petruccelli upon arrival at the museum.*

*The Delegate Lelio Orsini together with other participants admires the valuable ivory crucifix located in the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta.*

*View of one of the galleries of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta and its extraordinary paintings.*

*“Madonna delle Itrie” by Giovanni da Gaeta, second half of the 15th century.*

*The Director, Father Gennaro Petruccelli illustrates some works of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta.*

*The Vice Prior for Latium, Father Teodoro Beccia, admires a triptych of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta.*

*Evocative image in one of the galleries of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta.*

The Director of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta, Father Gennaro Petruccelli, illustrates one of the museum’s most valuable pieces: the famous Banner of Lepanto (oil on canvas) by the painter Girolamo Siciolante, which depicts the Crucifix between Saints Peter and Paul; it waved on the flagship of the Papal Fleet, commanded by John of Austria, son of Emperor Charles V.

*Prince Lelio Orsini admires some of the works of the Diocesan Museum of Gaeta.*

*The Director, Father Gennaro Petruccelli describes the beautiful altarpieces of the Coronation of Saint Lucia to the Delegate Lelio Orsini d’Aragona.*

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.

H.E. the Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari is getting ready to celebrate 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.

The Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari, the parish priest Father Antonio Centola and Father Alessio Tomao, together with Father Teodoro Beccia, Father Ettore Capra and Antonio Ferrara, before the Holy Mass.

From right to left: Cons. Dr. Cristian Leccese, representing the Mayor of the Municipality of Gaeta, the Delegate for Rome and Latium Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona, the Representative for the city of Gaeta Esq. Salvatore Scafetta and Knight of Justice Nob. Massimo Patroni Griffi.

*The Vice Prior for Latium Father Teodoro Beccia and the Vice Prior for the city of Rome Father Ettore Capra.*

*View of the crowded Cathedral of Gaeta and its wonderful presbytery during the celebration.*

*H.E. the Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari.*

*The Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari, the parish priest Father Antonio Centola and Father Alessio Tomao.*

*The parish priest Father Antonio Centola reads a passage from the Gospel during the Mass.*

*The Archbishop of Gaeta Msgr. Luigi Vari celebrates the Holy Mass.*

*The Constantinian Ecclesiastical Knights in the presbytery together with the Prelates of the Archdiocese of Gaeta.*

*Msgr. Luigi Vari together with the other priests head towards the exit of the Cathedral after the celebration of the Holy Mass.*

*Prince Lelio Orsini talks with H.E. Msgr. Luigi Vari in front of the Memorial of the Neapolitan Officers kept in the Cathedral.*

The Delegate for Rome and Latium Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona thanks Msgr. Luigi Vari for having officiated the celebration of the fallen of the Siege of Gaeta; on the left the Councilor of the Ceremonial of the Sacred Functions Knight Officer Dr. Rocco Marco Massara Ferrari.

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.

ROME-LAZIO: DONATION OF 200 BLANKETS TO THE ITALIAN RED CROSS

29/12/2021

On Tuesday, December 21st, upon the impetus of H.H. Prince Orsini d’Aragona our Delegation – responding to a request for assistance made by the Italian Red Cross – acquired and donated 200 woolen blankets to the Red Cross’ Committee of the Metropolitan Area of Rome to be distributed to those “of no fixed abode” in the city. A part of these blankets was given to the Street Unit and to the Welcome Facility of the Villa Maraini Foundation, excellence of the Italian and International Red Cross in fighting drug addiction, founded in 1976 by President Massimo Barra.

*The Vice Delegate Riccardo Langosco, the Subprior for Rome Fr. Ettore Capra, and the Delegate, Prince Don Lelio Orsini deliver the blankets donated to the Italian Red Cross’ storage facility in Rome*

*The 200 blankets donated to Rome’s Italian Red Cross*

The donation was made as part of the national agreement of cooperation between our Constantinian Order and the Italian Red Cross, and it was made possible by the ordinary donations to the Order by the Knights and Dames of the Rome-Lazio Delegation, who thus deserve the credit for this effort.

*Rome’s President of the Italian Red Cross, Debora Diodati with the Delegate of Rome-Lazio, Prince Don Lelio Orsini*

Ms. Debora Diodati attended the delivery as President of the Italian Red Cross in Rome, whereas the Order was represented by the Delegate Prince Don Lelio Niccolò Orsini d’Aragona, the Vice Delegate Count Riccardo Langosco di Langosco, the Subprior Fr. Ettore Capra and Professor Massimo Barra, Representative for the city of Castel Gandolfo and former president of the Italian Red Cross. On the same night, they joined the Red Cross’ Street Unit in assisting those “ of no fixed abode” (abbreviated as SASFID), participating in the distribution of hot meals and other necessities (such as clothes, toiletries and blankets) as well as offering spiritual comfort to those who asked for it, by Fr. Ettore Capra.

From left to right: The Subprior for Rome-Lazio, Fr. Ettore Capra, the Representative for the City of Castel Gandolfo, President Massimo Barra, Debora Diodati, Rome’s President of the Italian Red Cross, the Delegate for Rome-Lazio, Prince Don Lelio Orsini, and the Vice Delegate, Count Riccardo Langosco

The Subprior Fr. Ettore Capra, President Massimo Barra, Knight Grand Cross, Rome’s President of the Italian Red Cross Debora Diodati, the Delegate for Rome-Lazio, Prince Don Lelio Orsini, and the Vice Delegate, Count Riccardo Langosco with the SASFID volunteers of Rome’s Italian Red Cross and team leader Simona

Despite the Italian Red Cross and the Constantinian Order have always carryied out these kind of activities in different ways and times, since the beginning there has been a strong feeling of common sharing among the volunteers of the Red Cross and the Knights, which made for an especially fruitful experience for both parties. It was likewise highlighted the great dignity with which the people assisted live their difficult condition, thus succeeding in conveying to us a great sense of humanity that has contributed to increasing and consolidating once again our feeling of Christian charity in the run-up to the Holy Christmas.

*The Rome-Lazio Delegate, Prince Don Lelio Orsini and the Vice Delegate Count Riccardo Langosco speak with a homeless person in Rome*

*A briefing beforehand with team leader Simona, Delegate Prince Don Lelio Orsini, and the SASFID volunteers of Rome’s Italian Red Cross*

This led to speaking about the possibility of developing a more stable collaboration within the SASFID service, through the regular participation of the Knights and Dames of the Order to the Street Unit of the Red Cross Volunteers. In order to better evaluate what can concretely be offered in the future, those who are interested are invited to write to delegazione.romaelazio@ordine-costantiniano.it, expressing their future availability. In this regard, it should be noted that the service takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., and that a commitment of one evening a month could be envisaged for the Knights and Dames of the Order.