Delegation of Tuscany

Campi Bisenzio (FI), 11 November 2023 – The Tuscan Delegation, following the flood that struck the Region between 2 and 4 November, has activated and provided aid to families in difficulty in the area of Campi Bisenzio, city particularly affected by the weather.
Thanks to the generosity and to the action of its Knights, a good amount of food was collected and promptly delivered to Mrs Lucia Nardozza of the Mercy of Campi Bisenzio, at the gym of the Giuseppe Garibaldi school and at the Emil Zatopek center.
This donation was made with the coordination of the Provincial Contact of Florence, Knight Official Francesco Cuffaro, the Provincial Contact of Livorno, Knight Official Ezio Pope, and the Provincial Contact of Pisa, Knight Official Giovanni Merola, as well as with the collaboration of the Knights of Merit Pier Francesco Cellai and Francesco Franco of Florence. The Provincial Contact Person of Pistoia, Knight Official Daniele Romanelli, personally intervened at the site of the disaster for the distribution of food to the population.

Carrara (MS), 16 September 2023 – The Tuscan Delegation solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Cathedral of Carrara.
The solemn Eucharistic concelebration was exceptionally presided over by His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Ernest Simoni, concelebrant His Most Reverend Excellency Monsignor Alberto Silvani, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Volterra. The concelebration was attended by the Vice Prior of the Tuscan Delegation Father Donato Mollica, the Pastor of the Cathedral of Carrara Monsignor Raffaello Piagentini, and the Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace Father Emanuele Borserini, Parish administrator in nine parishes of the Diocese of Massa Carrara – Pontremoli.
The Delegate Ranieri Gastone Adorni Braccesi, with Knights Luciano Giorgio Giannelli, Gaetano Castello, respectively Coordinator and Secretary of the Delegation, and Angelo Ragnoni, Provincial Representative of Massa Carrara, welcomed the Grand Chancellor, His Excellency Prince Don Francesco Ruspoli, who attended the ceremony, with various civil and military authorities.
The Vice Prior Father Donato Mollica transmitted the greetings of the Prior of the Delegation H.E. Monsignor Simone Giusti, Bishop of Livorno, and those of H.E. Monsignor Gianni Ambrosio, former Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Massa Carrara – Pontremoli and Prior of the Delegation of Emilia Romagna.
During the morning, the Tuscan Delegation, led by Prince Ruspoli, accompanied His Eminence Cardinal Simoni for a visit to the marble quarries of Michelangelo, guests of the Knight Officer Franco Barattini.
On the initiative of Knight Angelo Ragnoni, the Tuscan Delegation has donated to His Eminence a valuable crucifix set in marble in memory of his visit to Carrara.
The day ended with a convivial breakfast attended by the Knights, their families, friends, and local authorities.

14th of May 2023 – Sanctuary of Montenero (LI). On the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Grace, Patron of Tuscany, at the end of the Holy Mass, H.E. Monsignor Simone Giusti, Bishop of Livorno and Prior of the Delegation, together with the Knights and Dames present pronounced the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of the Tuscan Delegation. This Act of Consecration took place at the request of the Delegate, Count Ranieri Gastone Adorni Braccesi, and for the occasion H.E. Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino sent a message of greeting to the Prior, Monsignor Giusti, expressing his pleasure at the praiseworthy initiative and bestowing his fatherly blessing. Cardinal Martino’s message was read by the Delegate at the beginning of the Holy Mass also to inform the many faithful who filled the Shrine about the Act that was about to take place. The solemn ceremony was attended by a representation of Knights and Dames, accompanied by some family and friends from all over Tuscany. The liturgical songs were perfectly performed by the Choir of the Sanctuary “Don Fedele”, directed by Maestro Sandro Mecarelli. At the end of the liturgical ceremony the Knights and Dames met for a convivial breakfast.

The PRCIV – ARCI Food Solidarity Center, with headquarters in Massa and Cozzile (PT), and its President Mr Ivano Lucchesi Annezzi has made available to the Tuscan Delegation a large amount of food for children, including milk, biscuits, homogenized and fruit juices that were distributed to two parish Caritas of the Diocese of Livorno and Prato with the collaboration of the Referent of Pistoia Knight Officer Daniele Romanelli and the other provincial Referents of Livorno, Pisa and Prato, with the approach of the Easter holidays, Friday 1st of April.

Livorno – Caritas of the Parish of Saint Andrew.
The food was distributed by the Provincial Representatives of Livorno and Pisa Knights of Merit Ezio Papa and Gianni Merola; the pastor Father Corner Benchea recieved the donation.

Prato – Caritas of the Parish of Narnali.
The Provincial Representative Knight Officer of Merit Dino Greco with the Knight of Merit Giacomo Perrina and the friend of the delegation Vincenzo Pizzicaroli distributed food; the pastor Father Luca Rosati received the donation.