A Look at the 2018 Memorial Mass for HM King Francis II and Christmas Dinner in Newark, New Jersey

After Mass, Knights and Dames take a commemorative photo
Photos courtesy of Cav. Charles Sant'Elia

For the second year in a row, the Knights and Dames of the Order gathered at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey for the Annual Memorial Mass in honor of our late Grand Master, HM Francesco II di Borbone, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Joined by our friends from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Mass ad orientem was celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio, Order chaplain and Pastor of the beautiful church.

Following Mass, participants were invited to the parish center to partake in a festive Christmas dinner en famille offered by the Order. Each Knight and Dame brought a homemade dish or a bottle of their favorite wine (Aglianico, Falanghina, Nero d'Avola, etc.) to the party for all to enjoy.

After the toasts and Monsignor said grace, partygoers helped themselves to the terrific spread replete with seasonal delicacies, such as Cav. Vincent Gangone’s stufati di Teggiano, Dama Rosanna Minervini’s focaccia Molfettese and Cav. Tom Crane’s hearty venison stew made with the meat of a buck bagged on a recent hunting trip with his son. 

While sampling the delicious fare, revelers mingled and enjoyed the traditional Neapolitan Christmas songs from Cav. Charles Sant’Elia’s extensive personal collection.

Once again, three cheers are in order for Cav. Gangone for generously organizing the fête. Vincent’s hard work and selflessness is an inspiration to us all. Special thanks to Msgr. Ambrosio and all the members of the congregation for your tremendous warmth and hospitality. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith and culture together. Buon Natale! and Buon Anno! 

Thurifer leads the procession into church

Vice Delegate Cav. Patrick O'Boyle and Cav. Justin Morin-Carpentier, aide-de-camp to HRH Princess Beatrice, welcomed the guests and presented a message of greetings and solidarity from the Princess who wished all well for the New Year and thanked the Knights and Dames for their continued efforts.

Cav. Msgr. Ambrosio and Cav. O'Boyle lead a final parting toast.

Cav. Gangone with Michela and Lina Musolino

Joseph Vitale, Andrew Portelli, Msgr. Ambrosio and Cav. Morin-Carpentier

Dama Luisa Cristofano, Cav. Tom Crane and Cav. Walter Klein

Cav. O'Boyle and Dama Rosanna Minervini

Cavalieri Dr. Thomas Rossi and Thomas Portelli

Cav. Charles Sant'Elia and Michela

Dames Minervini and Cristofano with Justin

Cavalieri Joseph Lucia and Walter Klein

Revelers break bread in the parish center 

Monsignor's beautiful baby Jesus centerpiece

Soppressata and caciocavallo

Focaccia Molfettese

Venison stew

Stufati di Teggiano 

(Above and below) Cav. Gangone presented a rare 1973 commemorative recording from the SMOCSG Campania Delegation featuring the Two Sicilies national anthem which was recorded in the Santa Chiara monastery in Naples.

Volunteers Needed for the January 2019 Constantinian Food Walk

Don't just talk the talk, come walk the walk with your knightly brethren at the monthly Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George Auxiliary Corps food walk. On Thursday, January 3rd at 7:00PM volunteers will meet at the Church of the Transfiguration cafeteria (29 Mott Street—entrance on Mosco St.) in Chinatown, New York to prepare and distribute food to the homeless. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and street duds. Anything you can donate (ready-to-eat food, toiletries, etc.) will be greatly appreciated. 

Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.com or call Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at 917-592-4181

Also see: 
• Distributing Food to the Homeless on St. Nicholas Day
• Distributing Food to the Homeless on All Saints' Day
• Constantinian Auxiliary Hit the Streets of Lower Manhattan for Inaugural Homeless Food Walk

Remembering HM Francesco II di Borbone, Late Grand Master of the Order and Last King of the Two Sicilies

B. Napoli, January 16, 1836 — D. Arco, December 27, 1894

Prayer for HM King Francis II of the Two Sicilies 

O Triune God, who from your throne of mercy turns your gaze upon us, and who called to your following Francis II of Bourbon, electing him a King upon the earth, modeling his life to the same kingship of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ, instilling in his heart sentiments of love and patience, of humility and clemency, of peace and forgiveness, cloaking him with the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, accept our plea and help us walk in his steps and live their virtues. Glorify him, we beseech you, upon the earth, as we believe he has already been glorified in heaven, and grant us through his prayer, that we may receive the graces which we need. Amen. Pater, Ave and Gloria 

Merry Christmas!

Detail of the Neapolitan presepio at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in NYC

Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. 

I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. 

O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. 

Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. 

Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. 

Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. 

Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. 

Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. 

Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Amen.

An Evening of Faith and Fellowship in NYC

After Mass, members of the Order take a commemorative photo

Tuesday evening, during the second week of Advent, the Knights and Dames of the Order, attended the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (325 E 33rd St.) in Kips Bay, Manhattan. Concelebrated by Rev. Msgr. Kevin Sullivan and Fr. Cav. Michael G. Lankford-Stokes, the Order, led by our esteemed Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola, was warmly welcomed by the congregation.

HE Cav. John M. Viola welcomes everyone to the reception

After Mass, our party made its way to the historic Union League Club (38 E 37th St.) in nearby Murray Hill, Manhattan for a little fellowship and fundraiser for the Order’s many charitable endeavors. Guests mingled and enjoyed a celebratory cocktail (or two) in the stately Ulysses S. Grant room, appropriately adorned with the portrait of the 18th president of the United States and other Civil War heroes, while traditional Neapolitan Christmas music played in the background. 

Our esteemed Delegate offers a toast to our Grand Master 

Afterward, a few night owls adjourned to the gentlemen club's old-timey cigar lounge for a smoke and brandy. 

Our friend Frédéric Zerbib of Tribeca Vini graciously treated us
to a delightful glass of Amaro Nostrum from Sicily

A big hearty thank you to Cav. Tom Crane (second from left) and Cav. Charles Sant’Elia (second from right) for organizing a most enjoyable evening. 

A memorial for President George H. W. Bush was erected in the lobby

Happy Feast of St. Lucy!

Prayer to St. Lucy

Saint Lucy, whose beautiful name signifies light, by the light of faith which God bestowed upon you increase and preserve His light in my soul so that I may avoid evil and be zealous in the performance of good works, and detest nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and sin. Obtain for me, by your intercession with God perfect vision for my bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God's greater honor and glory and the salvation of souls. St. Lucy, virgin and martyr hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. Amen.

Salvamamme Christmas has begun with HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon–Two Sicilies

Rome, December 4th, 2018 — Christmas has officially begun at the Salvamamme Association. This morning, at the headquarters of the Association, President Mrs. Grazia Passeri has described Salavamme initiatives for Christmas. At her side HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro and Ambassador of Salvamamme in the world, who distributed gifts to the children, Mrs. Debora Diodati President of the Italian Red Cross Metropolitan Area of Rome, Mrs. Angela Lionetti Contact of Red Cross for Salvamamme and Mr. Guido Aggiusta Giocattoli, a volunteer who has been revitalizing thousands of toys every year for years.

“I am very happy to be here again today with all of you and to continue my commitment to support all the activities of this important Association – Princess Camilla said – As Ambassador of Salvamamme, I am honored to be part of this great family and to fight with you so that all women in difficulty and their children can be helped and supported on their path of recovery of their rights and their dignity.“

“Many thanks to our Camilla, who is a Princess not only in the title she holds, but in the heart and soul – declared Grazia Passeri – Children look forward to Christmas all year long, they want to experience the magic of this period, look at the decorations and lights, eat candies and discard the presents they find under the tree. We want to support children and their families. In this period we need a lot of love and solidarity."

Source: Real Casa di Borbone delle Due Sicilie

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Photo courtesy of Cav. Patrick O'Boyle

December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patronal feast day of the United Staes of America and the Former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The pictured silver statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was taken in the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro within the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo di Napoli) in Naples, Italy.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers as I present them to God. (state your intentions here) O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, you intercede for us with your Son. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

Distributing Food to the Homeless on St. Nicholas Day

Three cheers for this month's volunteers!

Thursday, December 6th, members of the Constantinian Auxiliary joined the Knights and Dames of the Order to prepare and distribute food to the homeless in Chinatown and Two Bridges, New York on the Feast of St. Nicholas. Meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration (29 Mott St.), volunteers prepared 30 care packages replete with winter accessories, toiletries and ready to eat food, including containers of freshly cooked penne marinara generously donated by our dear friends at Caffé Napoli (191 Hestor Street) in Little Italy.

Once again, we want to thank Antonio, Anna and Konstantinos Mavrianos-Cesare for their hard work and dedication. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you Louis Fontana of Caffé Napoli; Andrew Giordano of the St. Rocco Society of New York; Michela Mussolino of Terra Sangue Mare; John Russo and his students Jason and Jalil from Summit Academy Charter School in Red Hook, Brooklyn; Raymond Guarini of Italian Enclaves; and my confratelli Cavalieri Charles Sant’Elia, Marc Reynolds and Vincent Gangone for your continued assistance. Your heartfelt generosity and selflessness is greatly appreciated. And as always, special thanks to Pastor Lo for your support and blessings. It is an honor to serve with such an outstanding group of people. God Bless you all. IHSV

The next walk will be on Thursday, January 3rd—the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus—at 7:00 PM. In addition to ready to eat foodstuff and daily necessities, we’re are asking volunteers to donate hats and scarves for the cold weather. Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.org or call Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at 917-592-4181.

Before heading to the church, we picked up the food from Caffé Napoli.

John, Jason & Jalil from Summit Academy Charter School in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Volunteers sporting their new Constantinian aprons.

Caffé Napoli donated a heaping tray of penne marinara. 

Cavs. Marc Reynolds and Charles Sant'Elia. 

Andrew Giordano.  

We divvied up the pasta into thirty healthy portions.

Hats and gloves were added to this month's care packages.

Cav. Charles Sant'Elia, Andrew Giordano, Cav. Marc Reynolds
and Cav. John Napoli with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies 

Also see:

• Distributing Food to the Honeless on All Saints' Day

• Constantinian Auxiliary Hits the Streets of Lower Manhattan for Inaugural Homeless Food Walk