Category: Delegation of Calabria

Calabria, 4 – 22 March 2016.  New date with solidarity for the Delegation for Calabria. March, the month of Mercy.  The project provides for the distribution of essential items which also on this occasion, like for the previous donations, were given by Esselunga S.p.A., one of the main Italian supermarket chains in the organized retail sector.  This initiative is part of the major humanitarian project  “The Hunger Suffered by our Neighbour” that was launched in the year just ended by the Grand Master of the Order, H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro. “The month of Mercy” is but the beginning of a series of solidarity initiatives that have been planned by the Delegation for Calabria in 2016.

The dates chosen for this first phase of donations are:

4^th March – Terranova Sappo Minulio (RC), Parish of Maria Santissima Assunta;

5^th March – Paola (CS), Pilgrimage and Donation, Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola;

6^th March – Bisignano (CS), Sanctuary of San’Umile da Bisignano;

19^th March – Dasà (VV), Church of Saints Nicola and Michele;

20^th March – Reggio Calabria (RC), Missionary Sisters of Charity;

21^st March – Varapodio (RC), Parish Communities of San Nicola and Santo Stefano;

22^nd March – Corigliano Scalo (CS), Parish of Maria SS. Immacolata.

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Bisignano, 6^th March 2016.  After the town of Paola it was the turn of the centuries-old town of Bisignano, homeland of the “ humble friar”, to host the third meeting of the “Month of Mercy”, a solidarity project for the benefit of the needy people of the Region.  The distribution of essential items, donated by Esselunga S.p.A., took place at the charming thirteenth-century Convent-Sanctuary of Sant’Umile da Bisignano (second Saint of Calabria after Saint Francis of Paola). Upon arrival the Delegation was warmly welcomed by Msgr. Luigi Falcone, Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace, Official of the Vatican Secretariat of State and also a man of great faith and vast culture.  Msgr. Falcone is known for his studies and numerous publications on the history of the Mezzogiorno between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, and also on the history of his Bisignano where he manages the Museum of Sacred Art and presides over “Il Palio” Study Centre.  In the same Sanctuary, following the distribution of the goods, the solemn co-celebration of Holy Mass took place, officiated by Father Antonio Martella, Guardian of the Convent-Sanctuary, together with Msgr. Luigi Falcone and Don Espedito De Bonis, parish priest of San Giacomo Apostolo in San Giacomo d’Acri. Father Martella, during his homily, warmly greeted and thanked the Order representatives.  He then went on to say a few words about Sant’Umile, drawing a parallel between the Constantinian Order’s mission and the Saint’s teachings which are those of humility and solidarity in respect of the least of God’s people who he has chosen to bewilder the “wise” and the “powerful” of this world. Charity made him popular with everyone: friars, people and the poor who he used to help by handing out to them what Providence would give him. The Delegate, Nobile Dottore Gianpietro Sanseverino of the Barons of Marcellinara, for his part, thanked all those present and in particular the Order of Friars Minor for their hospitality and Nobile Dottore Giuseppe Spizzirri Marzo, recently appointed Representative  of Cosenza, for the impeccable organization of the event.

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San Francesco di Paola, 5^th March 2016.  The Delegation for Calabria of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George participated in the Pilgrimage, organized by the Order of Minims of the Religious Province of S. Maria della Stella, to the Sanctuary of Paola on the occasion of the VI Centenary of the birth of Saint Francis.  The event was attended by the Regional  Coordination of Sicily in addition to Religious, Tertiaries, Congregations, Devotees and the SMCOSG Delegations for Naples and Campania, Puglia and Basilicata, Sicily and Calabria. It is worth highlighting the ever intense devotion of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies for the Hermit Saint, worship of whom in 1738 led to the appointment of Saint Francis as the Patron Saint of the Kingdom by H.M. King Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies who proclaimed him the heavenly Patron of Seafarers.

The programme done:

• 10.00 a.m., meeting at Paola and guided tour of the Sanctuary with entry into the Basilica through the Holy Door;
• 11.45 a.m., donation by the Delegation for Calabria of essential items donated by Esselunga S.p.A.;
• 12.00 p.m., Solemn Co-celebration of the Eucharist presided by His Eminence Msgr. Giuseppe Fiorini Morosini, Archbishop of Calabria – Bova;
• 1.30 p.m., packed lunch in the Pilgrim’s Hall;
• 3 p.m., visit to the house where Saint Francis was born;
• 4.45 p.m., visit to the Parish of San Nicola Saggio da Longobardi.

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Terranova Sappo Minulio, 4^th March 2016.  The charming town of Terranova Sappo Minulio, a small municipality with a glorious past in the province of Reggio Calabria, hosted the event known as the “Month of Mercy”: a solidarity project promoted by the Delegation for Calabria. The initiative consists in distributing essential items (donated by Esselunga S.p.A., a well known Italian chain in the large retail sector) to needy people of the Region. The symbolic act of donation was formalized with the celebration of Holy Mass held at the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross and officiated by Reverend Father Rocco Spagnolo, Superior of the Religious Community of Evangelization Missionaries, founded by the late Reverend Father Idà. Before the Eucharistic celebration, father Pasquale Carnovale, parish priest of the Mother Church Santa Maria Assunta, thanked the Delegation because “any good act, any comfort and assistance given to those in need, are like doing them for Jesus”. A rendition on the benefits of giving was also delivered by Dott. Aurelio Badolati, Knight Commander of Merit with Star, Vice Delegate for Calabria, who at the end of the mass said “ it does not matter how many steps we take, nor what shoes we wear.  What matters are the footsteps we leave behind.”  In saying this he was addressing all those who passionately and selflessly give their all in carrying out social work to alleviate the sufferings of others as demonstrated by the Order’s Volunteers, Dott. Giuseppe Pietropaolo and Dott. Marcello Bagalà, who were presented with the Certificate of Constantinian Merit for their joint contribution to the Order.

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Reggio Calabria,  17^th – 28^th December 2015.  Continuation of the solidarity tour of the Calabria Delegation with the second tranche of humanitarian assistance to be distributed to the disadvantaged families of the region planned for this Christmas period.  The Vice Delegate, Dr. Aurelio Badolati, Commander of Merit with Plate, speaking in respect of the “Christmas for All” project expressed his interpretation of the true meaning of today’s Christmas: “ A Christmas of emotions, of good intentions but above all one of solidarity towards the last”.  Because Christmas is the feast which in one way or another calls upon all of us, including non believers, to recover those values, lost along the daily course of a year, albeit also for emotional reasons.  Such “Values” will once again be conveyed to Parishes, Pastoral Organizations (Caritas), Associations for the Elderly and Youth who, after having identified the last, will distribute basic food products donated (full load of a tir) as may be recalled, by Esselunga S.p.A., one of the main Italian chain stores operating in the large-scale retail trade. All this was made possible thanks to the active involvement of the Grand Prefect, H.E. Ambassador Augusto Ruffo di Calabria of the Princes of Scilla.

The following are the dates and beneficiaries identified for this second tranche of donations of basic food products:

17^th December – Sant’Eufemia D’Aspromonte (RC), “Parish of Sant’Eufemia Vergine e Martire”

19^th December _ Polistena (RC), “ Luigi Monti Community ”

19^th December – Taurianova (RC), “Parish of San Giuseppe”

20^th December – Castellace (RC), “Parish of Santa Maria Assunta”

27^th December – Polistena (RC), “Fr. Pino Puglisi Multipurpose Centre”

28^th December – Gioia Tauro (RC), “Parish of Sant’Ippolito Martire”

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Locri (RC), 26^th December 2015.  The convention “Francis II of Bourbon, man of peace in the storms of history” was held at the Episcopal Seminary of Locri organized by the Cultural Association Due Sicilie di Gioiosa Jonica in cooperation with the Delegation of Calabria. The event was an opportunity to rediscover, on the occasion of the 121^st anniversary of his death, the great figure of His Majesty Francis II, the last king of the Two Sicilies, who on 27^th December 1894, took leave of the world stage on tiptoe in the same sober and dignified style with which he had lived his life.  In his will, Francis II of Bourbon had written: “ I thank all those who were good to me, I forgive all those who wronged me and I beg pardon from those who I may have somehow harmed”. “Permission”, “Apology”, “Thanks”,   over a century later, the three words uttered by the “Saint and King”, were reaffirmed “ For a happy and strong life” by Pope Francis during a recent catechesis held in Saint Peter’s Square. At the end of the convention, in the splendid Chapel of the Seminary, Holy Mass was celebrated to commemorate the event officiated by Don Nicola Commisso Meleca, Rector of the same Episcopal Seminary.

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Castellace, 20^th December 2015.  Continuation of the solidarity tour of the Calabria Delegation for the deprived people of the region.  This second tranche of aid (offered by the well known Esselunga S.p.A.) is part of the solidarity project “Christmas for All” promoted for this Christmas period by the Vice Delegate of Calabria.  This third event, which took place in December, involved the small community of Castellace (RC) and more specifically, the Parish of Saint Mary of the Assumption, administered by Don Giovanni Madafferi, which received a donation of basic essential goods.  The Parish Priest, during Holy Mass celebrated in the same church, thanked the Constantinian Order more than once for its great gesture of solidarity shown to the most needy people of his parish.

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Palmi, 19^th December 2015.  The Calabria Delegation, for many days busy presenting the solidarity project “Christmas for All” was welcomed to the stands of the non-profit making organization “Vivi Palmi”, an association involved in volunteer work for deprived persons, especially children, operating in the hinterland of the Municipality of Palmi.  This important centre of the Tyrrhenian coast of Reggio Calabria is famous throughout the world for the celebration of two important national festivities: the Varia di Palmi, featuring on the UNESCO world heritage list of oral and intangible wealth and the Feast of San Rocco with the suggestive “Parade of the spinati”.  In the beautiful Piazza Primo Maggio, the Vice Delegate Dr. Commander of Merit with Plate Aurelio Badolati, together with Knights of Merit Rocco Gatto and Pasqualino Guerrisi, distributed basic foodstuffs and since it was the Christmas season, also handed out toys that were generously donated by the well-known chain store operating in the large-scale retail trade, Esselunga S.p.A.  The President of the Association, Dr. Dario Galletta, received and delivered the gifts along with those donated by many inhabitants who had come to the stands of the 6^th edition of the initiative “ Let us give a smile”.

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Taurianova, 19^th December 2015.  Second event of the solidarity project “Christmas For All” promoted by the Delegation of Calabria for the most deprived people who live in a region that is ranked to be the poorest in Italy according to Istat.  The delivery of basic food products was made possible thanks to the generous support of Esselunga S.p.A., one of the main Italian chain stores operating in the large-scale retail trade.  This time the town of Taurianova benefited from this donation and more specifically, the Parish of St. Joseph administered by Don Cosimo Saverio Furfaro.  During Holy Mass, the Parish Father thanked the Delegation more than once for their generous gesture of solidarity towards the “last” of his parish and for the concrete testimony of faith offered to the families concerned.  In addition to the Vice Delegate, the ceremony was attended by the Knights of Merit Rocco Gatto, Pasqualino Guerrisi and Rocco Prestipino, whereas the Meritorious of the Delegation were represented by Rocco Speranza.

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Sant’Eufemia d’Aspromonte, 17^th December 2015.  “The importance of service to others, especially if needy and being the last, is in keeping with the jubilee intention of this Holy Year of Mercy”. These opening remarks made by the Vice Delegate, Commander of Merit with Plate, Dr. Aurelio Badolati, in the Church of Sant’ Eufemia Vergine e Martire, marked the beginning of the “The Second Solidarity Week – Christmas for All”.  The solidarity project, promoted by the Calabria Delegation for the most deprived people of the region, was made possible thanks to the large donation of basic food products given by “Esselunga S.p.A.”, one of the main Italian chain stores operating in the large-scale retail trade. Special thanks go to the Grand Prefect, H.E. Ambassador Augusto Ruffo di Calabria of the Princes of Scilla, for showing great concern towards the poorest region of Italy. The symbolic act of the donation offered to the “last” was endorsed by the celebration of a  Holy Mass packed by a full congregation.  In addition to the Vice Delegate, the ceremony was attended by the Knights of Merit, Rocco Gatto and Pasqualino Guerrisi.

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