H.R.H. Prince and Grand Master, on October 2 2014, has decided to appoint M. John M. Viola as Delegate for the State of New York.
During the past 12, 13 and 14 September there was a collegial meeting that saw the participation of all the new Great Officers with the Delegates, the Vicar Delegates, the Representatives of the Constantinian and accredited observers. There were also the representatives of the Royal Magistral Juridical Council and the Royal Magistral Heraldic Commission, the President and the Treasurer of the National Association of Constantinian Italian Knights.
The Royal Family of Bourbon Two Sicilies visited Portugal last week at the invitation of the Royal House of Braganza. H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House, traveled accompanied by his wife, H.R.H. Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro, and his two daughters, H.R.H Princess Maria Carolina , Duchess of Palermo and H.R.H. Princess Maria Chiara, Duchess of Capri.
Several the reasons for this three-day visit to Portugal, including the participation of the Royal Family to the traditional festivities in honor of the Saint Queen Isabel of Coimbra, along with the Royal House of Bragança.
During a reception at the Duke and Duchess of Bragança’s home in São Pedro de Sintra, the Duke of Castro, 59th Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, has invested H.R.H. Dom Afomso de Bragança, Prince of Beira, as Knight Grand Cross of Justice.
Highlights of the visit were, in the morning of July 4th the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fatima, and in the afternoon the Lithurgy Mass of Saint Isabel celebrated in the Convent of Santa Clara in Coimbra, during which H.R.H. the Duchess of Castro received from the Grand Master H.R.H. the Duchess of Braganza the Insigna and Diploma of Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Saint Isabel.
At Fatima, the Royal Family has offered prayers to Our Lady of Fatima at the small Chapel of the Apparitions, and then visited the Royal Lipsanotheca, an exhibition of relics of the Foundation Oureana / D. Manuel II, presented by Mr. Carlos Evaristo, Expert of relics and Chairman of the chapter of the Patrons of the Vatican Museums, with particular emphasis on the relics of the Seers of Fatima, the Sicilian Saints and the Major Relic of the Blessed Maria Cristina, Queen of Naples, recently beatified by Pope Francis.
Together with the Royal Family of Bourbon Two Sicilies in pilgrimage to the Altar of Fatima were H.R.H. Dom Duarte, Duke of Bragança, H.S.H. Prince Peter von Hohenberg, grandson of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, H.S.H. Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, H.E. Mr. Anthony Bailey, Delegate of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George in Great Britain and Irland and Magistral Delegate for Interreligious Relations; the Marquis of Rio Maior, D. João Saldanha Vicente; Dr. Miguel Horte e Costa, Baron of Santa Comba Dão, Delegate of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George in Portugal, Sir Gavyn Arthur, former Lord Mayor of London; Eng.Domingos Patacho of the Royal Association; Dr. José Carlos Ramalho Royal Association of Ribatejo, Dr. Francisco Ramalho, Dr. Alberto Calafato Janelli, Private Secretary to the Duke of Castro and Dr. Carlos Evaristo, who led the visit to the shrine.
The day ended with a dinner in honor of the T.R.H. Duke and Duchess of Castro, set in the beautiful surroundings of the Castle Forte da Cruz on the Estoril Coast residence of Dona Diane Barros de Polignac and Dr. Miguel Horte e Costa, Baron of Santa Cumba Dão.
June 24, 2014 – H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Grand Master, appointed H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies as Interim President of the Magisterial Heraldic Commission of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, appointed Chancellor on June 13 is a Dame Grand Cross of Justice since December 19, 1978.
June 13, 2014 – H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Grand Master, appointed H.I.H. Prince Napoleon, Head of the Imperial House of France, as Vice President of the Royal Deputation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. H.I.H. Prince Napoleon, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice with Collar, was admitted into the Order in 2008.
June 13, 2014 – H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Grand Master, appointed H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, as Grand Chancellor of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Dame Grand Cross of Justice, was admitted into the Order in 1978.
Vatican City – June 12, 2014. The Most Eminent Cardinal Grand Prior Renato Raffaele Martino was appointed Cardinal Protodeacon by His Holiness Pope Francis, on the occasion of the Ordinary Public Consistory for the canonization of the some of the blessed. It is he Cardinal Proto-Deacon’s duty, among other tasks, of announcing the outcome of the election of the Roman Pontiff, with the famous formula of “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam”, delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica .
H.R.H. the Prince Grand Master and other Grand Officers of the Order have addressed messages of congratulations to the Most Eminent Cardinal by expressing “sincere congratulations for a well-deserved recognition which further enhances his merits in the service rendered to the Holy See and the Catholic Church “.
June 5, 2014 – Principality of Monaco. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1984, received the honor of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and the Gold Medal of Merit of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George by H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Grand Master of the two Orders.
First Black Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and Primate of the Anglican Church in southern Africa, he reached worldwide fame during the eighties as an opponent of Apartheid .
His message of peace and brotherhood is based on the expression he himself coined: ” Rainbow Nation” to describe South Africa. This term, which refers to the ideal of peaceful and harmonious coexistence among different ethnic groups in the country, was later picked up by Nelson Mandela and became part of the national culture of the country.
Ever an active supporter of human rights for his people,he has always used his responsibility as a Pastor in favor of the oppressed. He fought to eradicate poverty, racism and disease.
Among various other international awards he has also received the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986; the award “Pacem in Terris” in 1987; the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999; Gandhi Prize for Peace in 2007; the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and the Templeton Prize in 2013. He has written and published several books containing his speeches and statements.
The honor of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilieswas conferred at a ceremony whichtook place at the headquarters of the Automobile Club of Monaco, where various Religious Authorities and Institutions of the Principality were present. In addition to H.R.H. Princess Camilla, accompanying her spouse,the Grand Master, in attendance were also H.E. the Minister of State Michel Roger and other Government Ministers of the Principality; His Grace The Most Rev Mgr. Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco; Mgr. RenéJuliano, General Vicar for the Diocese; the Director of Judicial Services Mr. Philippe Narmino; H.E.Mr. Hughes Moret, Ambassador of France to Monaco and H.E. Mr. Peter Murphy, Ambassador of the Order of Malta in Monaco. The large audience present was also composed by illustrious personalities from boththe cultural and economic life of the Principality.
During his celebratory speech H.E.MrAnthony Bailey, Delegate for Interreligious Relations of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House, pointed outthat Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lead an extraordinary life, especially distinguished by his commitment to the defense of human rights and the fight poverty.
Read more (French): www.royalmonaco.net
Kosovo, 23 May 2014 – Her Excellency Mrs Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and a Gold Benemerenti Medalist of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
The President’s investiture took place at the Office of the President in Kosovo and was conducted by His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George on behalf of HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master. The investiture took place as part of the International Interfaith Conference organised by Kosovo Foreign Ministry, in partnership with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Community of St Egiddio, sponsored by the British Council, Norwegian Embassy and US Embassy in Kosovo.
Cardinal Martino also invested His Excellency Mr Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and Mr Petrit Selimi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo as a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I.
These awards were granted in recognition of the work done in recent years in Kosovo by these individuals for peace-building and the example they set with their work for all faith and ethnic communities in Kosovo and the Balkan region.
The President of Kosovo, on the other hand, bestowed the Mother Teresa Humanitarian Medal to both the Grand Master H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and to His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
The Mother Teresa Humanitarian Medal, one of the highest national honours of Kosovo, was awarded in high recognition in administering charitable, humanitarian and spiritual activities in Kosovo.
H.E. Mr. Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland & Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order and Mr. Alberto Janelli, Private Secretary to H.R.H. The Duke of Castro, also attended.
More information: www.president-ksgov.net
Naples – January 2014. TRH Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Castro, together with other senior members of the Neapolitan Royal Family attended the Beatification of Queen Maria Cristina of Savoy.
Queen Maria Cristina of the Two Sicilies, born in 1812 was the daughter of King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia and Archduchess Maria Teresa of Austria-Este, Maria Cristina married King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies in 1832. The Queen died aged 24 in 1836 following the birth of their only child who later became the last reigning King of the Two Sicilies, Francis II.
The Pontifical event took place at the historic Basilica of Santa Chiara in the heart of the Naples, the historic capital city of the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Several thousands of people attending this moving event which united for the first time in 50 years the principal branches of the Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty lead by HRH The Duke of Castro in Italy and HRH The Duke of Calabria in Spain.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis who approved the beatification on 2 May 2013, was represented at the mass by HE Angelo Cardinal Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. HE Crescenzio Cardinal Sepe, Archbishop of Naples was celebrant and HE Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George was also present.
In his homily at the Mass of beatification, Cardinal Amato outlined the reasons for the beatification – the Queen’s innocence, modesty, and mortification with respect to food and entertainment, as well as her love for the poor and sick. All Christians, the prelate emphasised, are given opportunities to become holy, whatever their state of life.
Following his Sunday Angelus address at the Vatican, Pope Francis described Queen Maria Cristina as a “woman of deep spirituality and great humility. She was able to bear the suffering of her people, becoming a true mother of the poor,” he added. “Her extraordinary example of charity shows that the good life of the Gospel is possible in every environment and social status.”
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Castro and TRH Prince Pedro and Princess Sofia of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Noto, attended together the Beatification with other senior members of the Bourbon Two Sicilies Family including HRH Princess Ana of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria, HRH Prince Jaime of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Capua, HRH Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Palermo, HRH Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Capri, HRH Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, TRH Prince and Princess Casimiro of Bourbon Two Sicilies TI & RH Archduke and Archduchess Simeon of Austria, HI & RH Archduke Martin of Austria, HRH Princess Ines de Borbon Dos Sicilias de Carelli Palombi, HRH Prince Luigi Alfonso of Bourbon Two Sicilies and the Rev Alessandro di Borbone-Due Sicilie, HRH Princess Caroline of Bourbon Two Sicilies and HRH Princess Maria Annunziata of Bourbon Two Sicilies.
Among members of other European Families present were HRH The Duke of Braganza, HRH Princess Clotide Princess of Venice and Piedmont, HRH Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Aosta, HRH Prince Serge of Yugoslavia and HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg Mrs Anthony Bailey.
The senior representatives from both the Italian and Spanish branches of the Constantinian Order were also present.
Following the beatification ceremony the Duke and Duchess of Castro and Duke and Duchess of Noto together with other senior members of the Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty paid homage at the tomb of the Blessed Queen Maria Cristina situated within the Royal Chapel within the Basilica situated close to the main altar which bears the remains of the Neapolitan monarchs and other members Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty.
HRH The Duchess of Castro offered the flower decorations throughout the Basilica of Santa Chiara. Pink and white roses, wallflowers, lisianthus and lilies, carnations and green and white daisies were artistically arranged around the sanctuary and the tomb of the Blessed in the Chapel of the Royal Burial by the expert hands of the Ladies of the Garden Club of Caserta.
Their Royal Highnesses further supported the Basilica by the erection of eight large flat screens set up along the aisle of the immense Basilica of Santa Chiara which allowed the entire ceremony, filmed by three cameras, to be viewed by the faithful who filled what is one of the largest Gothic building in Europe.
The principal guests also attended a reception held in the cloisters of the Bascilia and the Duke and Duchess greeted many of their supporters who had gathered at the Basilica for this truly historic day.
To download a list of the principal guests click here.
To download the text of the Homily of HE Crescenzio Cardinal Sepe click here.
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