Category: Delegation of Sicily

Palermo – December 18, 2014. The Delegation of Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George hosted at the Constantinian church of Mary degli Agonizzanti in Monreale near Palermo the first regional conference of studies on “Dyslexia and teachers.”

The organization of such an important event in these our place that we always try to make more and more  accessible to all and for a good cause regardless of the original function of the structure, make us proud.

Today the new cultural challenge is to open to all cases of difficulty, to the special educational needs.

The large presence of the participants shows that a new culture is possible. Approach in many to a such  sensible question as dyslexia and other similar problems is especially important at a time when the city finds the strength and the will to encourage the institutions that, for their part, have the duty to collect emergencies that leave from below. Only with a collaborative relationship between citizens and institutions can begin a process of growth of consciousness and it is possible to fully understand the problems and then try to solve them.

According to the Delegate Prof. Di Janni “this link is essential in a modern society to the expectations of all.” Families, schools and citizens, they all need support, to feel part of a team game. No one is holding the truth and the institutions, when they are wrong, have the duty of self-criticism and to tell the truth.

The growth and development of our Sicily are directly proportional to the ability of citizens to urge the experts and institutions to implement the sentiment, the demands and expectations of the people

And not being  experts we think that the school that welcomes is once again called upon to replace indifference at all levels from the family to the institutions.

Once blind and  deaf people were penalized in the study. Then, little by little we managed to overcome the barriers. Today we see that finally the issue of diversity has been identified and there is a will to overcome it. The right to education must be protected as well as the centrality of the person.

School is becoming more and more  multi-ethnic and multi-cultural: if you do not accept the diversity the teacher’s work will become increasingly difficult.

The school, however, should not be left alone to carry out this task, we must involve the family individually or through organizations  and institutions.

Internationally  renowned professors  as Professor Piero Crispiani, professor of Didactics  and special Pedagogy at the University of Macerata and Professor Franco Biancardi, Professor of pedagogy at the  University Sister Orsola Benincasa of Naples. Moderator Dr. Philip Nobile, clinical  pedagogist.

The prestigious conference was organized by Professor Vincenzo Bussa, clinical pedagogist, esteemed theologian, Constantinian knight, regional representative  of UNIOPED.

At the end of the conference the Constantinia  Knights Antonio di Janni, Vincenzo Nuccio, and Salvatore Romano, have received a certificate of the Italian Pedagogists Union  for their hospitality and to have contributed to the success of the conference

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Milazzo – December 12, 2014. An arduous battle. A great victory. So you could sum up the laborious affair that was successfully concluded with the naming of a street in Milazzo to General  Ferdinand Beneventano del Bosco.

In July 20, 1860, he covered the rank of Colonel of the army of the Two Sicilies and was stationed in Milazzo with his troops. He was one of the few  officers who did not put on sale their loyalty to the King, but he fought valiantly and with honor, though unsuccessfully, to repel the advance of Garibaldi.

Though almost 154 years have elapsed  in Milazzo the conflict seems to be still open, for this reason the process leading  to the dedication of the street  to Ferdinado  Beneventano was full of obstacles and not without pitfalls and difficulties of all kinds. As creator and supporter of the project, I had to lead a true cultural battle, often degenerated into a guerrilla warfare, made up of many harsh and intense combats with those who, in the wake of the mystification of the Risorgimento, are still deployed in defense of the fableof  the blond haired hero come to make the island free.

To participate to the dedication ceremony of the street to General Ferdinand Beneventano del Bosco has been a sorce fo deep pride and ineffable satisfaction, a sort of great and unique moral revenge, as this is the way that leads to the Castle of Milazzo, the same way that Colonel descended walking  between the  Garibaldini’s  mockeries on July 26, 1860, having been treated the surrender of the fort to which  Clary didn’t want to sendr  reinforcements from Messina.

At the event that took place  on 12  December in the presence of civil and military authorities, were present  the direct descendants of the intrepid officer, Baron Hector Beneventano del Bosco and Baron Pietro Beneventano del Bosco, who had been the guest of honor at the Historical  Conference  “Conversing with Beneventano del Bosco”, held on the initiative and care of myself last year in the Old Cathedral of the Castle.

Among the guests of honor could not miss the Sicilian Delegation of the Sacred Constantinian Order of St. George, in the person of  Noble  Knight Vicar delegate Antonio di  Janni, Knight Gr. Cr. Grace, who also represented the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. Father Mario Savarese, Ecclesiastical  Grace Knight  blessed the dedicatory plaque,surrounded by the Constantinian Knights Salvatore Italiano, Giovanni Bonanno coordinator of Messina and its province, Joseph Matranga, Franz Riccobono, Manlio Corselli,  Lady Carmela Munda and numerous Benemerenti.

The ambitious project just released by the Costantinian Representative  of Milazzo fits well, in fact, among the numerous initiatives of the Delegation of Sicily, which is known for its  great dedication to the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, and which  is a milestone in the path of recovery identity of the  duo Sicilian,  trampled and scorned for over a century and a half because of  the Risorgimento’s mystifications.

Giving to the Mayor a valuable commemorative medal of the Order, the Noble Dr. Antonio di Janni congratulated the City Council, which, by resolution of the dedication, “intended to perform an act of justice and historical truth” as stated by the First Citizen.

Deep emotion and  gratitude were the sentiments expressed by the Baron Peter Beneventano del Bosco, who   thanked  the First citizen,  Prof. Italian and theVicar Delegate of the Constantinian Order for “the wonderful work of development and promotion of our history, and our heritage, for an initiative of great importance in the process of pacification post-unification. ”

In support of the resolution with which the Mayor of Mr. Milazzo. Lawyer Carmelo Pino titled the street, it was required to the  Knight Salvatore Italiano to draft a brief biography of Benevento, including the reasons in support of the decision.

The text, which was read during  the dedication ceremony, is as follows: “General Ferdinand Beneventano del Bosco (Palermo, March 3, 1813 – Naples, January 8, 1881). Born in Palermo by a  Sicilian noble family originally from Syracuse, still adolescence moved to Naples, where he entered the Military College of Nunziatella. There he met Stefano Zirilli from Milazzo who became his dear friend and with whom he had to  tress deal in 1860, during the siege of the fort of Milazzo by Garibaldi.

After the  graduation from the military school Benevento entered the army with the rank of second lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards. Immediately proved to have all the qualities necessary for a good military and in 1848 he was promoted to the rank of Captain, he distinguished by his value during the campaign of  Sicily that year, and during the siege of Messina,  when he was also wounded.

His skills and zeal efforts in fulfilling the duty  allowed him to be decorated by Ferdinand II with the gold medal of the first class and awarded with the honors of St. Ferdinand and of St. George.

His attachment to the army was genuine and generous and brought him to have great respect for each military, so much so that in 1857 he called for the abolition of corporal punishment for soldiers.

In 1857 he was temporarily transferred to Sicily, and the following year, with the promotion to major, he was assigned to the command of the 9th battalion, stationed in Monreale. Here on April 6, 1860 he rejected the first attacks of the insurgents, on April 12 he resisted a new assault and successfully counterattacked near Carini.

After the landing of Garibaldi and the first defeat of the Bourbon at Calatafimi, Benevento was at the forefront together with the Swiss Colonel Von Mechel  attacking the vanguard that pointed to Palermo, where on May 30 he attempted an assault against the first barricades in the city already occupied, but was immediately dampened by the news of the truce requested by Lanza to Garibaldi.

On June 10, Benevento was promoted to colonel, and soon after embarked with his soldiers to Messina, where in mid-July the general Clary send him to guard the fort of Milazzo with three battalions. On July 20, he gave battle to Medici in the  Milazzo plain and, after a brave resistance, he was forced to withdraw in the fort, where he asked in vain reinforcements to Clary. On the 23 an officer arrived from Naples to negotiated the surrender of the fort with the partisans.

Benevento wen out from Milazzo taunted and insulted his enemies and with his troops he embarked to Naples. Here he got his third promotion in a few months, achieving the rank of Brigadier General. His commitment, fully shared by the Sovereign Francis II, was to avoid unnecessary bloodshed battles with unproductive results and ensure that the population defenceless  had not to endure unjust suffering because of the ongoing military maneuvers.  He convinced Francis II of the futility to head the army and led him not to resist the partisans advancing, until the decision to retire in Gaeta.

In the last fortress of the Bourbon Benevento led a strenuous but unsuccessful defense, until the surrender to the troops of Cialdini. After the capitulation he followed his king in exile in Rome, refusing to join the army of Savoy with the same degree.

Ferdinand Beneventano del Bosco is still remembered in Milazzo for being the Commander of the Bourbon garrison stationed at the Castle of Milazzo during the events of July 20, 1860.

Studies in the purest bibliographic tradition  describe him  as skilful and upright official, who, while fulfilling faithfully to his office to deal with the advance of Garibaldi, he had the highest regard for the City of Milazzo and for his people, he avoided any action that could damage or cause civilian victims, and also demonstrated gentleness and magnanimity towards the same revolutionary committees present in the city. He distinguished himself for his heroic conduct in combat, for the loyalty to his sovereign and the high sense of justice and duty, that animated all his  actions.

His attitude is still clear example of high ideals: service to the country, respect for the community, passion for the  profession, his intellectual honesty, upright soul and  the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. ”

After the ceremony the Mayor accompanied the attendees to  visit the fortress of Milazzo.

 

Palermo – December 5, 2014. As part of the cultural activities promoted by the Delegation of Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, aimed at the knowledge of Sicilian history, on 05 December was held in the meeting room of the hotel Joli in Palermo a meeting to  presentat the last book written by the  historian and essayist Pasquale Hamel “THE LONG REIGN -The adventurous life of Frederick III King of Sicily”, Rubettino Publisher, the first book of the  Series Studies and Research “The new Region”, promoted by the deputies of the Sicily Regional Assembly.

A curious and attentive audience was propelled into the  medieval Sicilian climate ranging from 1296 to 1337, an important historical period for  Sicily, but often  understood  and neglected by official historians.

Articulated speeches  especially those of enthusiasts  of Sicilian history such as that Knight  dr. Baldassare Cacioppo, and noble dr. Antonio di Janni,  Knight Gr. Cr. Grace, Delegate Vicar of Sicily of the Constantinian Order, in addition to the author’s speech  prof. Pasquale Hamel, and the final one given by Prof. Francesca Paola Massara, professor of Christian Archaeology and Art History at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Sicily “San Giovanni Evangelista”

The introduction to the work was edited by Cav. Cacioppo, who, through his intervention, enriched by illustrative slides, retraced the actions and constitutional reforms of this great man and great ruler “elected” by the Sicilian Parliament. He “primus inter pares” during his 41 years of government did of  the independence and autonomy of the kingdom of Sicily, born with the Sicilian Vespers, his earthly mission, at the great price to fight against all.

During his speech he  recalled the emeritus Constantinian Knight Prof. Corrado Mirto, university professor and one of the greatest scholars of medieval Sicily, author of  two important historical reconstructions related to the great king of Sicily:: the identification of the tomb in the Catania’s Cathedral  and the reconstruction of the flag of the Kingdom of Sicily .

The delegate Vicar of Sicily, dr. Antonio di Janni, promoter of the event and scholar of the history of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, after noting that the initiative aims to recover the medieval history, an historical period  often forgotten or deliberately omitted, he outlined the figure and the charisma of the King  of the Kingdom of Sicily, who always ruled with the consent and the fidelity of the Sicilian people.

In his speech he pointed out that the Aragonese dynasty, ito which belongs Frederick III, can boast a record in the Sicilian history, in  fact the descendant Alfonso V the Magnanimous, already King of Sicily, after the victory over the Angevins and the conquest of the  Kingdom of Naples, in 1441, he unifies the two Kingdoms and assumes the title of  first King of the Two Sicilies.

The writer, prof. Hamel, in his passionate speech has highlighted the prestigious role of the Kingdom of Sicily in the Mediterranean area and the relations with the Latin Eastern Empire, Byzantine, with the Arabs and the Jews.

He closed his speech by pointing out that King Frederick III is a figure “on which it is loaded the management of the “after Vespers”, the victim of an ideological reading of the history of Sicily, who represented the idea of a Sicilian nation  separated from the rest of the country that could hardly be accepted by the official historiography.

The prejudice  has had a decisive influence on the reading of this historical period and of this King.

The Prof. Francesca Paola Massara, in his closing remarks gave the participants many  important starting points  for a critical reflection, consequential to the reading of the book, on” doing history “,” tell the story “,” make history.”.

She has also  revealed the historical situation of this  period in a parallel comparison with the testimonies of the material culture and the  self-representation datas,  highlighting the suffering of an island devastated by a century of wars and raids to which, even the  conclusion  with  the War of the Vespers, did not bring a final and lasting peace. She continued her speech by praising the actions of the sovereign to support the Franciscan movement of pauperism and the expansion of the orders. Mendicant orders.

The work written by Hantel uses a simple and easy language which requires  proper attention, and  involves the reader, not only making him relive a glorious era of this beautiful Mediterranean island –Sicily- , thanks to the precise chronology of events conducted by this brave knight always ready with sword in hand to defend its autonomy and independence, bit also making us appreciate the human military and political qualities of a character that has meant that the Sicilians would feel proud to be sicilianis.

A character unknown to most people, “King Frederick III of Sicily “, but mentioned by Dante, in the third canto of the Divine Comedy, as “the honor of Cecilia and Aragon “.

 

Palermo – February 9, 2015. Great success for the concert of the pianist Irene Valenti who played the Fantasia in F minor, Op. 49, the Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 by  F. Chopin and then  the Variazioni  a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42, Prelude in B Minor, Op. 32 no. 10 and the Prelude in B flat Major op. 23 No 2 of the Russian composer and pianist Sergey Rachmaninov.

The young performer has demonstrated a very high level achieved in spite of his young age, an uncommon intelligence and a great character.  She has demonstrated to have achieved a great technique ability.

The performance has excited  all the spectators  for the  sentiment, the temperament, the  fantasy and the  poetry in interpretation of the pianist.

 

At the end the knight Vincenzo Nuccio has delivered her a certificate of merit from  the Delegation of Sicily

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Piazza Armerina – Monday February 2 at the church of St. Stephen, has taken place the monthly distribution of products for the early childhood according to the project “New Crumbs of Health.” The families, about thirty, chosen by the parish priest Don Nino Rivoli, constantinian chaplain, received nappies, baby food, cookies and milk for their children between 0 and 3 years.

All the products have been received through the generosity of volunteers, of constantinian knights and ladies and have been given by the coordinator of Enna, Knight Mattheo Bertino, the priest and the voluntaries who actively collaborate with the Constantinian Order.

 

 

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Palermo – December 13, 2014. As every year, the delegation for  Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George has organized a lunch for the poors  in the day of Saint Lucia in Palermo in the church of San Francis of  Paola of the friars minimum.

The initiative is part of the project “The hunger of our neighbur” conceived and strongly promoted by H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Grand Master of the Constantinian Order.

This year about 300 meals were served in three shifts, all according to  Palermo’s tradition: arancine, timbale of rice,  potato and cheese flan, also church volunteers have contributed by donating the traditional arancine, For Muslims there was a rice pie cooked without meat or ham. Dessert and fruits have been served at the end of the dinner.

The friars, Father Xavier Cento, the parish priest, Father George Terrasi and Father Antomio Porretta, chaplains of the Constantinian order, along with the knights Antonio Janni, Vincenzo Nuccio, Carmelo Sammarco, Gasperino Como, Salvatore Romano, Salvatore Vassallo, Giovanna Galli and Vincenzo Di Cristina, they all served at the tables helped by volunteers from the parish.

Marsala, Saturday, January 31, 2015.  At the Parish of San Francesco di Paola, in the contrada of the Holy Father of the Perriere of Marsala in the province of Trapani, there was the  Mass on the occasion of the anniversary of the liturgical feast of the Blessed Maria Cristina, Queen of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, wife of Ferdinand II of Bourbon.

The beatification of “Reginella Santa” took place in Naples on 25 January 2014 in the Basilica of Santa Chiara, pantheon of the family of Bourbon Two Sicilies. The Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order fo St George, represented by Comm. Elio Zuccarello, by the Knight  Giuseppe Lipari and the Knight  Baldassare Cacioppo, were joyfully welcomed by the parish priest Don Gaspar Tortorici, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace and by the many believers, who demonstrated, at the end of the celebration, their appreciation with warm applauses for the human qualities of the Blessed Maria Cristina, virtues repeatedly praised by the words of the constantinian chaplain.

The Celebration was preceded by the prologue of the Knight Cacioppo, who traced  in brief  the life and the beatification process of Reginella Santa.

Profound  words of moral teaching have crowned the homily tracing the steps of the Holy Scriptures, highlighting the call of every persont to a common vocation to holiness; like Blessed Maria Cristina, named mother for her love of the family and Queen for her love of her People and the poor and, as the Knights of the Constantinian Order, called to the Christian choice of the Cross to witness faith and solidarity.

After the Communion the brothers of the Order, facing the image of S. Francesco di Paola, patron of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, recited the prayer to Blessed Maria Cristina.

At the end of the Mass, the Knights  received a special present  by Don Gaspare: a volume containing some writings of the great religious thinker Blaise Pascal, as strong support for their spiritual  growth.

 

Before the fraternal agape the Constantinian Knights have supported with their offers

the parish  initiative  titled  “National Day for Life 2015”, an event to increase awareness about the importance of the family, the welcoming and  the value of life.

 

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Enna-27th January 2015. At 5.30 p.m. the awaited event “The scandal of the holocaust: face-off of monotheist religions” was held at the Government Palace.The event promoted by the Sicily Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St.George, was sponsored by Enna Prefecture in cooperation with Kiwanis Club, Enna district.

The conference was started by professor Salvo La Porta, ex-mayor of Leonforte and teacher of history. Fernando Guida, the prefect of Enna province, Mons. Rosario Gisana, bishop of Piazza Armerina diocese,Rabbi professor Stefano di Mauro- Itzaak Ben Avraham- the chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in Sicily and President of the Sephardic centre in Sicily, Kheit Abdelhafid- Imam of the mosque in Catania, president of the Islamic community in Sicily and member of the national management committee U.CO.I.I, all came in.

Conference moderator was Antonio Di Janni – Sicily vicarious Delegate of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.

Two witnesses were also present: lawyer Rosa Anna Tremoglie from Res Publica Academy and Emiliano Abramo, Sicily Delegate of Comunità di Sant’Egidio.

At the end of the conference the vicarious Delegate appointed H.E. Mons. Rosario Gisana Commander of Ecclesiastical Grace of the Constantinian Order, granted by H.R.H. Prince Carlo di Borbone of the Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master.

All the speakers were given a parchment of Sicily delegation as a memory of the event.

Speakers: Mons. Gisana dealt with the topic of the Christian forgiveness brilliantly. Being a doctor, the Rabbi spoke about the distressing fortunes of the Jews he had treated after World War II. Imam focused on the topic of peace and reciprocal respect saying some verses from the Koran.

All the speakers found the same common denominator in one of Einstein’s quotes:

“I know just one race, the human race.”

At the end of the conference a musical performance was given by the students from Liceo Musicale “Dante Alighieri” in Enna.

Civil and military authorities were present, about 300 people who praised the speakers and complimented also Enna constantinian coordinator Knight Matteo Bertino.

Antonio di Janni, conference moderator, also mentioned that, in addition to the religious or racial massacres, such as the Jews’ Holocaust, political massacres occurred such as the one of the people from South Italy who died to protect their homeland in 1860 and in the decade after the Italian Unity.

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Monreale, le 25 Janvier 2015.  A l’église constantinienne de S. Marie degli Agonizzanti, le dimanche 25 Janvier, a eu lieu le troisième concert de la IX saison de concerts de la  Délégation sicilienne de l’Ordre Sacré et Militaire Constantinien de Saint-Georges.

Le concert a été dédié à la mémoire des victimes de l’Holocauste et a été exécuté par la Fucina dell’Arte du Conservatoire de musique  Vincenzo Bellini de Palerme.

Les jeunes ont été dirigés par Marzia Manno,  professeur de piano  au conservatoire.

Ils ont joué les musiques de Chopin, Albinoni, Grieg, Cacciarini qui ont enthousiasmé  le grand public intervenu.

Après le concert le Délégué vicaire a donné au professeur Manno un certificat de la part de la Délégation Sicilienne.

 

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