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 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.
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.
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.
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.
