The ‘dean’ of the American Delegation of the Constantinian Order, Rev. Msgr. Joseph Francis Ambrosio, passed away on October 4 (2020) at the age 0f 72. Born in Jersey City, NJ on March 22, 1948, he was the son of Francesco and Racchele (nee’ Faccone) Ambrosio, immigrants from Morrone del Sannio in Italy’s province of Campobasso. He was ordained a priest on May 24, 1974 in Newark, New Jersey, having graduated from St. Peter’s University and Immaculate Conception Seminary, and later from St. John’s University. He dedicated his entire priestly ministry within the Archdiocese of Newark to the Italian Apostolate, of which he was the diocesan director, as a parochial vicar and pastor. His last assignment was at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Newark, where he began as administrator in 1996, where he was pastor since 1999 until his death.
Msgr. Ambrosio entered the Constantinian Order as an Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace in 2016, becoming an Official Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace in 2019. He was dedicated to the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and was able to meeting Their Royal Highnesses on different occasions, hosting Her Royal Highness, Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies this past February, when Her Royal Highness assisted at Msgr. Ambrosio’s Sunday Mass, and was his guest at the luncheon afterward.
Sadly, our respected and beloved Msgr. Ambrosio suddenly died on October 4, 2020. His passing away on that day is no coincidence, because it was the first Sunday of the month of October, Rosary Sunday, the day dedicated to his much-loved Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, Co-Patroness of the Constantinian Order. He loved this annual feast, and always spread the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary at the parishes he served. Hearing this unexpected news, the office of the American Delegation quickly informed the knights and dames of Monsignor’s peaceful death, who were shocked and saddened, given their attachment to the loveable priest.
On the afternoon of October 8, the Delegate, Vice Delegate and Executive Director of the Delegation helped to carry the casket into church, where the viewing of the body took place. Msgr. Ambrosio’s mortal remains lay in state close to a beautiful flower arrangement in the shape of a Constantinian Cross, along with the Labarum, the Order’s funeral pall, the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and his brevit. Many knights and dames came to the viewing, and also assisted at the Vigil Mass celebrated by Most. Rev. Arthur Serratelli, Bishop Emeritus of Paterson. The next day, October 9, the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, and also attended by various knights. After the Mass, the funeral procession toward Madonna Cemetery in Fort Lee followed, with the hearse preceded by knights carrying Msgr. Ambrosio’s insignia and the Constantinian Labarum.
We pray for the repose of Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio’s soul and the consolation of his family and friends, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, Co-Patroness of the Order, our Patron Saint George, and all of our heavenly intercessors. Requiescat in pace.