Celebrating the Feast of the Madonna del Sacro Monte at Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New Jersey

Sunday, May 19, Clifton, New Jersey – Members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George (SMOCSG) participated in the annual Feast of the Madonna del Sacro Monte Sunday afternoon at Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New Jersey. The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Anthony Mastroeni. He was dutifully assisted by Cavalieri Dr. Thomas Rossi, Thomas Gilmore and Andrew Portelli. Led by our esteemed Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola, Cavalieri Patrick O’Boyle, Fr. Michael C. Barone, Anthony O’Boyle, John Napoli, Vincent Gangone, Joseph Cirillo, Carmine Berardi, David D'Alessandro, Dame Eva L. Sturchio and Dolores Alfieri Taranto were in attendance. Joining the Order were Dama Gina Biancardi of the Royal Order of Francis I and Cav. Vito Totino of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of Sant’Atanasio il Grande

Thank you to this month's volunteers.

Thursday, May 2nd, members of the Constantinian Auxiliary prepared and distributed food to the homeless in Chinatown and Two Bridges, New York on the Feast of Sant’Atanasio il Grande (Saint Athanasius the Great). Meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration (29 Mott St.), volunteers prepared 30 care packages replete with 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.

Bobby and Louis with our newest sponsor
Ciro from Song e Napule

Once again, we want to thank Antonio, Anna and Konstantinos Mavrianos-Cesare of the St. Rocco Society for their hard work and dedication. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you Louis Fontana of Caffé Napoli; Raymond Guarini of the Italian Enclaves Historical Society; Robert Michael Surella of the East Harlem Giglio Society; and Cav. John Napoli 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, June 6th—the Feast of St. Filippo Smaldone—at 7:00 PM. Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.org or Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at MsAnnaNY@aol.com.

Participants said a prayer for the homeless and prayed the Rosary

Once again, our friends at Caffé Napoli donated a heaping tray of penne marinara. 

Some alms from an anonymous donor:
(above) hot Jamaican beef patties and (below) baked beans and misc. snacks 

Anna and Bobby divvy up the pasta

Konstantinos lends a helping hand

Also see:

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Benedetto da San Fratello

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas 

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Lorenzo Maiorano

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Genevieve

• 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

A Look at the 2019 Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George Investiture Weekend in New York City

By Cav. John Napoli

Friday, April 26, Staten Island, New York – The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George (SMOCSG) Investiture Weekend kicked off Friday evening with a Welcoming Reception at the scenic Belvedere Club (79 Howard Ave.) in Staten Island, New York. Some eighty guests filled the cozy Italianate mansion on Grimes Hill—with its stunning view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge—for a lavish meet-and-greet replete with cocktails, delicious gourmet fare by Executive Chef Massimo Felici, and the musical stylings of Maestro Louis Siani on the piano.

Without question, the highlight of the evening was the investiture of Gina Biancardi, who was made Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I, an Order of Knighthood established by decree on September 28, 1829 to reward civil merit. The ceremony was presided over by our esteemed Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola and Vice-Delegate Cav. Patrick O’Boyle. Dama Biancardi was recognized for her many important contributions to the Italian American community, including the founding of the Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere.

For more visit silive.com

Saturday, April 27, New York, New York – The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George Investiture Mass was held Saturday afternoon at historic St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (22 Barclay St.) in Lower Manhattan. Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio, Chaplain of the Order and Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey. Monsignor was dutifully assisted by server Phil Vierno; HE Cav. John M. Viola served as Lector; and Count Justin Morin-Carpentier de Changy was the Master of Ceremony.

Established in 1785, St. Peter’s was the first Roman Catholic parish in New York and predates by a few years the first Bishopric founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1789. The first Solemn High Mass was offered on November 4, 1786. More relevant to the Order, our late Grand Master HM Charles of Bourbon, King of Naples and Sicily (later King of Spain), generously donated one thousand silver dollars to help construct the church. 

For more visit spcolr.org

During the ceremony, honors and promotions were presented to Carmine Amato Berardi, Knight of Office; David Gregory D’Alessandro, Knight of Office; Francesco Nicholas Rossi, Knight of Office; Matthew Bonfitto, Knight of Merit; John Robert Brown, Knight of Merit; Joseph Peter Cirillo, Knight of Merit; John A. Fratta, Knight of Merit; Thomas R. Gilmour, Knight of Merit; Gerard S. LaRocca, Knight of Merit; Eric Joseph Lavin, Knight of Merit; Michael Thomas Limongello, Knight of Merit; Andrew Portelli, Knight of Merit; Joseph Quintilian, Knight of Merit; Basil M. Russo, Knight of Merit; Vincent C. Tizzio, Knight of Merit; Joseph C. Sardano, Knight of Merit; Carlo Piccolo, Knight of Merit; Raymond Arrovo, Knight of Merit; Jeanne Abate Allen, Dame of Merit; Donna Cameron Connolly, Dame of Merit; Mary Morrow Mooney, Dame of Merit; Eva Sturchio, Dame of Merit; Hon. Francesca La Marca, Dame of Merit; Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi, Dame of Merit; Dolores Alfieri Taranto, Dame of Merit; Michael Joseph Piazza, Knight Officer of Merit; Hon. Joseph John DioGuardi, Knight Officer of Merit; Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, Esq., Knight Officer of Merit; Vito De Stefano, Knight Officer of Merit; Reverend Father Michael C. Barone, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Timothy A. Iannacone, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Edmund Amil Luciano III, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Joseph A. Mancini, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Carmine Rizzi, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Canon Matthew Louis Talarico, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Stephen Anthony Saffron, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father James F. Spera, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Father Richard G. Cipolla, Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace; Reverend Mons. Joseph Ambrosio, Knight Officer of Ecclesiastical Grace; H.E. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Knight Grand Officer of Ecclesiastical Grace; and H.E. Bishop James Massa, Knight Grand Officer of Ecclesiastical Grace.

Saturday, April 27, New York, New York – Members of the Order reconvened with family and friends later that evening at the elegant Broad Street Ballroom (41 Broad St.) in the New York City’s Financial District for the highly anticipated Ballo Constantiniano. 

After warm introductions and welcoming speech by our Delegate, and incredibly rousing rendition of the United States National Anthem by Dr. Kevin Strother, grace was said by the Reverend Canon Cav. Matthew Talarico ICRSS, Rector of the National Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago and Provincial Superior of the United States province of the Institute of Christ the King.

Dressed to the nines, partygoers enjoyed a sumptuous repast, the delightful Sicilian poetry of Nino Provenzano, and music by The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, which performed a fantastic rendition of Inno al Re, the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies composed by Giovanni Paisiello.

Sunday, April 28, East Harlem, New York – Our Investiture Weekend celebration concluded Sunday morning on the Octave Day of Easter at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Pontifical Shrine (448 E116th St.) in East Harlem, New York. In thanksgiving for the investiture of the new cavalieri and dame, the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung in the Extraordinary Form by The Reverend Canon Cav. Matthew Talarico.

The Reverend Father Cav. Richard Cipolla, Chaplain of the Society of Saint Hugh of Cluny and Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary's Church in Norwalk was the Homilist. Father Cav. Michael Barone attended in choir and Father Christopher Salvatori SAC, Associate Pastor assisted with the distribution of Holy Communion.

Cordially welcomed by Pastor Reverend Father Marian Wierzchowski SAC, and Fr. Salvatori, the Shrine’s bell tower—recently restored through the charitable support of the Delegation—was rededicated in honor of Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy, former Queen of the Two Sicilies. It was the perfect ending to our incredibly festive and edifying weekend.

I want to thank all the members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George who helped make this weekend a great success, especially the incomparable Stephanie Gordon whose hard work and dedication to the Order is an inspiration to us all! I also offer my heartfelt thanks to our esteemed Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola, who is a tireless organizer, a true leader and friend. As always, His Excellency did a tremendous job and we are indebted to his munificent hospitality, remarkable leadership, and unrivaled devotion to our community! God Bless our Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone, Duke of Castro, and the Royal Family! IHSV!

For more photos visit the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George - US Delegation of Facebook

Volunteers Needed for the May 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, May 2nd 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.org or Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at MsAnnaNY@aol.com.

Also see:
• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Benedetto da San Fratello
• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas 

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Lorenzo Maiorano
• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Genevieve
• 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

HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Sends Best Wishes on the Feast of St. George

April 23- HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, sends best wishes on the feast of St. George, our Patron, with the hope that, relying on his intercession, it will be an intense moment of faith, fraternity & charity for all.

Happy Feast of St. George!

A Prayer to St. George, for Triumph in My Battles 

Mighty God, Saint George was nicknamed the "Victory Bringer" because he relied on Your power to defeat evil wherever he went. Starting out as a soldier in his country's army, he converted and became a soldier for Christ. Laying down the world's armor by giving his wealth to the poor, he forever after carried the shield of faith and won many victories for those who sought Your help. I ask him to pray for the battles I've been enduring, and to bring Your triumph into my life. Help me to overcome the Enemy, Lord Jesus, and teach me how to protect myself with ever-increasing faith. Saint George, pray for me. Amen.

Volunteers Needed for the April Malta Walk in NYC

This Tuesday, April 16th at 7:15 PM members of the Constantinian Auxiliary Corps will join the Order of Malta Auxiliary for their monthly “Malta Walk” street ministry. Volunteers meet every third Tuesday of the month at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish house at 263 Mulberry Street in lower Manhattan to prepare and distribute food to the homeless.

Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.org or the Order of Malta Auxiliary at nycaux@orderofmaltaamerican.org or call 917-566-3937. For additional information, the Order of Malta Auxiliary can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/maltaauxiliarynyc.

Observing the 3rd Annual Friday of Sorrows at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre join the Order for Mass
Photos courtesy of Andrew Giordano and Il Regno

Some 40 pilgrims joined the Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta for the Third Annual Friday of Sorrows at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus in Little Italy, New York. The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by celebrant and homilist the Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio (Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newark, New Jersey and Chaplain of the Constantinian Order), Deacon Fr. Richard Gennaro Cipolla (retired Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Norwalk, Connecticut), and Subdeacon Fr. Christopher Salvatori (SAC, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem, New York). The sacred ministers were dutifully assisted by several young servers and members of the Schola Cantorum from the Church of the Holy Innocents in Midtown Manhattan.

Before and After Mass devotees prayed the Stations of the Cross

The Crucifix above the altar was veiled for Lent 

(Above & below) Solemn Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite 

Deacon Fr. Cippola sings the Gospel 

Msgr. Ambrosio gave an inspiring sermon

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Cavalieri O'Boyle, Gangone, Sant'Elia, Schembri, Napoli and Morin-Carpentier were in attendence

(Above & below) The recessional

After Mass, celebrants take a commemorative photo

Courtesy of Il Regno

Also see: 

• Observing the 2018 Annual Friday of Sorrows at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York

• Observing the Friday of Sorrows at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York

Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Benedetto da San Fratello

Thank you to this month's volunteers.

Thursday, April 4th, members of the Constantinian Auxiliary prepared and distributed food to the homeless in Chinatown and Two Bridges, New York on the Feast of San Benedetto da San Fratello. Meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration (29 Mott St.), volunteers prepared 25 care packages replete with 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.

Raymond led our group in prayer

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; Raymond Guarini of the Italian Enclaves Historical Society; Andrew Giordano of the St. Rocco Society; Robert Michael Surella of the East Harlem Giglio Society; Michele Di Pietro of Mangia with Michele; and Cav. John Napoli 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, May 2nd—the Feast of St. Athanasius—at 7:00 PM. Anyone interested in supporting this charitable endeavor can contact Cav. John Napoli at jnapoli@smocsg.org or Anna Mavrianos-Cesare at MsAnnaNY@aol.com.

Participants prayed the Rosary and a prayer for the homeless

Once again, our friends at Caffé Napoli donated a heaping tray of penne marinara. 

Everybody pitched in.

Michele divvied up the pasta 

Andrew showing off his Napoli pride

Also see:

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas 

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of San Lorenzo Maiorano

• Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Genevieve

• 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