Delegation of Calabria

The Delegation of Calabria celebrated a Holy Mass on Sunday, 18th February.

Before the celebration, the Vice Delegate for Calabria, Grand Officer Aurelio Badolati, together with a large group of Knights and Dames of the Order made a large donation of food products in favour of the Caritas canteen of the “Santa Maria della Candelora” parish.

The celebration took place in the same parish in the historic centre of Reggio Calabria, and was officiated by the Prior of the Delegation of Calabria Mons. Vittorio Luigi Mondello, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria and Bova, together with the Vice Prior of the Delegation, Mons. Luigi Cannizzo.

During his homily, the Archbishop emphasised how the Devil often tries to tempt us by the most devious means, underlining that only faith and prayers can help us repel such temptations.

The evening ended with a convivial banquet near the parish church.

A small but concrete gesture of solidarity was represented by the donation of 70 single portions of hot meals to needy people in Reggio Calabria city centre. The donation was made in favour of the Candelora parish.

Last 26th January, the Delegation of Calabria donated food products to the association known as “il Samaritano” in Polistena (RC). This one is managed by “Santa Maria Vergine di Polistena” parish, run by Don Pino De Masi, who is also a representative of “Libera. Associazioni, nomi e numeri contro le mafie” of Don Luigi Ciotti, for the plain of Gioia Tauro. “Il Samaritano” association, founded in 1988, developed in a particular context of charitable interventions, including basic solidarity, sharing of goods, occasional availability for services and almsgiving.

Vibo Valentia, Calabria.

On Tuesday, December the 19th, the chaplain of Vibo Valentia Monsignor Filippo Ramondino held the Holy Mass in preparation for Christmas at the church of Mary Most Holy of the Rosary and Saint John Baptist.

During the celebration, the commemoration of the dear departed brother Noble Knight Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, representing the city of Cosenza, was also held. His noble origins and fortitude were remarked, for they allowed his strong engagement to stand out amongst the Delegation initiatives.

On Friday, December the 15th, the Delegation celebrated the Holy Mass in memory of the Noble Knight Doc. Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, representing the city of Cosenza, prematurely passed away on December the 9th.

The commemoration was held at the Holy Mary of Candelora Parish located in the old town of Reggio Calabria and was officiated by the Prior Vicar of the Delegation, Monsignor Luigi Cannizzo.

The celebration, which was attended by many Knights and Dames, was closed with the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight, read by the Vice Delegate, the Great Officer Doc. Aurelio Bandolati.

Last December the 7th in Reggio Calabria, upon the invitation of Sister Rosanna Sicoli, Regional Inspector of the Calabria Mobility Center – Italian Red Cross Unit of Volunteer Nurses -, the Delegation participated in the ceremony for the anniversary of the Italian Red Cross Unit of Voluteer Nurses establishment.

The National Inspector Sister Emilia Bruna Scarcella also participated in the event.

Last December the 27th, the Delegation Calabria, along with the Cultural Association Due Sicilie of Gioiosa Ionica (Reggio Calabria), commemorated Francis II of the Two Sicilies, the last Bourbon sovereign of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the same day of his passing in Arco di Trento back in 1894. In order to highlight his role, both cultural and religious initiatives were taken; a book regarding the history of the Two Sicilies was presented and a commemorative Mass was held. The book was displayed by the President of the Due Sicilie Association Professor Mariolina Spataro, who also curated the preface, and Professor Nicola La Barbera, one of the authors.

At the end of the presentation, the participants moved to the church of Saint Rocco where the Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace Father Nicola Commisso Meleca officiated the Eucharist in memory of Francis II.

On 13 December, the Calabria Delegation intended to assist the efforts made by the Italian Red Cross – Committee Riviera dei Gelsomini of Siderno, chaired by Dr Concetta Gioffrè, in managing the emergency situation relating to the influx of migrants, donating toys, clothing, confectionery, food and necessities. The donation took place also thanks to the help of the Military Corps of the Red Cross of Reggio Calabria, in the person of Cap. Marcello G. Novello. The President of the Italian Red Cross – Comitato Riviera dei Gelsomini di Siderno Dr. Gioffrè, enthusiastically welcomed the Dames and Knights, headed by the Vice Delegate Grand Off. Aurelio Badolati. During the meeting, Dr. Gioffrè explained the activities of the committee and in particular focused on the measures taken by the Red Cross both for migrants and for the increasingly needy in the area of Locra. She also recounted some episodes that saw volunteers, operate during the landings, emphasizing that migrants who land in Roccella Ionica are in need of everything, in particular children to whom no assistance is given during the journey. The President, in thanking the Calabria Delegation, added that for smaller migrants new toys and clothes, together with donated sweets, will be particularly appreciated. The Vice Delegate Aurelio Badolati said that in the near future, the delegation will renew other donations and help the volunteers of the Red Cross also in the reception of migrants.

On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the delegation made a concrete gesture of solidarity by donating 30 hot meals to the neediest.

On 5 December, the Calabria Delegation and the Polistena Brutium Lions Club donated food and basic necessities to the “la buona volontà” community of Cittanova (RC). The purpose of the donation was to create a Christmas-themed inclusive-solidarity lunch to offer a carefree evening to those less fortunate. In fact, the community “la buona volontà” has been chosen as it helps people who are serving an alternative sentence to prison, making them embark on a path of recovery and reintegration into civil society.

The Constantinian Order has decided to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Mgr. Limina during the Eucharistic celebration last Sunday, November 26, at the parish of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, where the dean of the Crotone clergy – former president of the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Crotone-Santa Severina – continues in his mission of Charity. Charity that was at the heart of the recent initiative that, during his homily, he intended to recall referring to the recent donation made by the Order to the Table of the Poor “Padre Pio”, founded by Monsignor Limina himself in 1997, that every day provides a hot meal to about one hundred thirty people in difficulty. Nicola Oliverio, Knight of Grace, Knights of Merit Alessandro Cuomo and Vito Michele De Caro were present at the liturgical service, the latter one of the volunteers who animate the Table of the poor, and the representative for the city of Crotone, Antonio Oliverio, Knight of Grace. At the end of the religious service, the participants and Monsignor Ezio Limina have planned future initiatives to promote synergy between the work of the charitable structure and the activities of the Constantinian Order.