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. Lord Jesus, help me to overcome the Enemy and teach me how to protect myself with ever-increasing faith. Saint George, pray for me. Amen.

A Note from the Delegate: Preparing for the Feast of Saint George

Monday, April 20, 2020

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,

We are a few days away from celebrating the solemnity of our principal patron, Saint George, Martyr. He is one of the most ancient, revered and beloved saints of the Church, in both West and East. The patron of a number of countries as well as soldiers, he is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

From the very beginning of our Order as the Golden Militia, Saint George has been its main protector. He shall always be our constant companion, heroic model and heavenly friend as we imitate both his virtues and efforts in the glorification of the Holy Cross, the defense of the Catholic Faith and charity toward neighbor.

According to our Statutes, we are expected to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on this holy day. This year of course, we are unable to do so in person because of the Coronavirus. However, each of us should do our best to worship Almighty God and honor Saint George, in union with our fellow knights and dames of the American Delegation, and the universal Order.

Knight of Ecclesiastical Grace, Very Rev. Canon Matthew L. Talarico (a chaplain of our Order and the Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) will celebrate a special Mass with homily for the feast of Saint George, on Thursday April 23 at 12 Noon EST.

Please make every effort to join your confratelli and consorelle ‘virtually attending’ this Mass in honor of our Patron.

Click here for the link.

During these preparatory days, we shall celebrate a triduum in honor of Saint George. Meditations and prayer texts will be sent out. Please remember in your prayers our Grand Master, Grand Prefect, the entire Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, our Grand Prior and the rest of the Order’s officials, our American Delegation and all Delegations.

Let us also pray for the success of the Constantinian Order Charity’s efforts, and especially our own, as we generously seek to do our part in the battle against Covid-19 by providing vital supplies, equipment and resources to hospitals and healthcare workers.

May the glorious Saint George intercede for a swift end to the virus and the suffering it has caused, and may he continue to protect us all!

IHSV,

Cav. John Viola
Delegate

Happy Birthday Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro and Dame Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

We wish Her Royal Highness a very Happy Birthday! May God almighty bless you with a life full of joy and happiness!

Support the Constantinian Order's Italian Hospital Relief Fund

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle, Friends and Supporters,

First and foremost, I pray that all of you, and your loved ones, are safe and well.

During these difficult times for the United States, Italy and the world, it is important that we remember our calling as Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George is to serve those in need to the best of our abilities. Every nation, and surely every family, is dealing with this crisis every day, and Italy, the home of our Most Sacred Order for centuries, has suffered immensely.

To that end, our Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, has called on the Knights and Dames of the Constantinian Order around the world, and our friends and families, to help gather support for Italy’s hospitals and those working on the front lines in this global health emergency.

Many great efforts, and worthy fundraisers, have already been launched to support Italy’s most affected hospitals, but we are concerned about institutions and areas where the spread of this epidemic and a lack of intensive care equipment might have even more dramatic consequences, particularly in the South of Italy and Sicily, the spiritual homeland of our Constantinian Order.

Therefore, the Constantinian Order Charity Onlus, our Italian charitable arm, has launched fundraising initiative in which donations will be distributed equally among those under-supported hospitals so in need of additional equipment and intensive care capacity.

The Order's Headquarters in Rome, Italy has contributed a “Leadership Gift” of 50.000 euros to launch this initiative, and has called on Delegations like ours, around the world, to initiate their own efforts to help grow this important source of critical aid.

I am personally asking that those of you who can consider making a donation of ANY amount to this cause, and of equal importance, help us to spread the word through emails, social media postings, and any means by which you might engage a wider circle in our work.

Please consider making even a donation of even a few dollars, not only to help us raise as much as possible, but to send a message of solidarity from our American Delegation to our Confratelli and Consorelle leading this valuable initiative in Italy. As much as we seek to raise the greatest amount possible, is as much as we would love to see all off the Knights and Dames of the US Delegation participating with us.

The US Delegation has created the GoFundMe Charitable Campaign below. All gifts to the United States Delegation are fully tax-deductible, and every donation represents a significant contribution to our global effort to create hope in a time of hopelessness.

I sincerely thank you all for taking the time to read this, for helping our cause, for spreading this message, and for your continued support and confraternity.

I look forward to seeing you at the lighter end of this dark tunnel.

In This Sign, surely, We Will Conquer!

IHSV,

John M. Viola,

United States Delegate

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/constantinian-order-us-delegation-italian-hospital-relief-fund

The American Delegation Of The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization located in New York, New York.

Fundraiser COVID-19 Emergency

Dear Knights and Dames,

we have to personally commit to support Italy during this hard moment for all of us and to especially help hospitals and those working on the front lines in the daily fight against this health emergency.

Several fundraisers have already been launched to support Italy’s most affected hospitals, but I am concerned about establishments where the spread of this epidemic and a lack of intensive care equipment might have even more dramatic consequences.          

Our Order, which has always been engaged to help hospitals, through the Constantinian Order Charity Onlus has launched a fundraising initiative whose donations will be distributed equally among those healthcare structures with fewer resources which need to increase their equipment and intensive care capacity.

Each euro that you will donate will represent a glimmer of hope and a small drop of life that will help us overcome this adversity!

We do not want to set goals, let’s try to raise as much as we can. The first 50.000 euros have already been allocated.

Solidarity is an immense force. Let's join all together to help and support each other!

I sincerely thank you for your generosity and for the dissemination and sharing of this collection.

Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies

Donate Now

March 11, 2020 Day of Prayer and Fasting, Message from the Vatican

Ora pro nobis, San Rocco
The San Rocco Society of Potenza statue at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,

The following is an invitation from the Vatican:

The Vatican is calling for a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday, March 11, in order to invoke divine help and intervention against the coronavirus in Rome, Italy, and the world, announced Cardinal De Donatis on March 6, 2020.

Response from the United States Delegation of the Order:

In this spirit, the Leadership of the United States Delegation is inviting members of the Order to participate in a Novena of prayer to St. Rocco, who has been venerated for centuries by the faithful as the holy protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The Novena to St. Rocco is to begin Wednesday, March 11, and continue through Thursday, March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. Each member is asked to make the commitment of reciting devoutly the Novena Prayer below. Along with this prayer, one might also freely choose to offer up additionally a small sacrifice, an act of charity, or a good deed for this urgent intention.

Who is St. Rocco?

After distributing all of his nobleman goods to the poor, St. Rocco traveled humbly throughout 14th century Italy as a pilgrim. From Aquapendente to Censena, from Modena to Parma, and finally in Rome itself, St. Rocco devoted himself with heroic charity to victims of the plague, curing them with prayer and the sign of the cross. During his travels, he too contracted the plague which was evident by an open sore on his leg. After many sufferings and much patience, St. Rocco was eventually cured, only then to be falsely accused as a spy. After several years of imprisonment, he died a holy death which edified many.

An Italian Tradition for the Good of Body and Soul:

From shortly after his death in the mid-14th century until the present day, the Southern Italian people have time and time again offered prayers and processions with the relics of St. Rocco, invoking his powerful intercession for good health and protection against cholera epidemics and all types of contagious diseases. Born of a true spirit of Faith and Charity, this pious practice of our Italian ancestors which has been proven to be so effective for the good of society and for the edification of souls should be promoted and spread. May this devout custom of invoking St. Rocco preserve us all from the coronavirus contagion while obtaining for us the grace we need to this Lent to grow in virtue and holiness in our homes and families, in our workplaces, and in our world.

Novena Prayer to Saint Rocco to be recited by Members of the Order from March 11-19, 2020:

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God; through thy intercession, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues. St. Rocco, pray for us (say three times)

Optional Latin version:

RESPONSORIO A SAN ROCCO

Ave, Roche Santissime

Qui nobili natus sanguine

Crucis signaris schemate

Sinistro tuo latere.

Numinis in praesentia

Nostra nunc serva corpora

Et crucis per praesidia

A peste oppidum libera.

Roche, peregre profectus

Pestifere mortis ictus

Curavisti mirifice

Tangendo salutifere.

Vale, Roche qui angelice

Vocis citatus flamine

Obtinuiste deifice

A cunctis pestem pellere.

Sit Christe Rex piissime

Tibi Patrique gloria

Cum Spiritu Paraclito

Et nunc et in perpetuum.

V.  Ora pro nobis, beate Roche.  R.  Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

OREMUS

Populum tuum, quaesumus Domine, continua pietate custodi, et beati Rochi suffragantibus meritis, ab omni fac animae et corporis contagione securum. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.



IHSV

Solemn High Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph in Newark, New Jersey

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,

The American Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George has been invited to assist at a Solemn Mass that will be sung on Thursday, March 19th, 2020 at 7:00pm for the Feast of St. Joseph at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 259 Oliver Street, Newark, New Jersey.

The Mass will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Ambrosio, Pastor and Rev. Michael Barone will preach, both of whom are Chaplains of the Order.

In celebration of Msgr. Ambrosio's name day, after Mass, all are invited to a Traditional Italian Saint Joseph's Table in the parish center with music provided by the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. RSVP to Cav. Prof. Eric Lavin by phone at (201) 566-8862 or via e-mail at ericlavin18@gmail.com by March 15th, 2020.

Knights and Dames may attend in church robes.

We hope that you all can attend this most beautiful occasion.

IHSV

Pontifical Requiem Mass at the Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist, Saturday, March 7th

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,

The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George has been invited to assist in choir in church robes and decorations a Pontifical Requiem Mass at the Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist, 279 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Connecticut, on Saturday, March 7th at 12 noon.

The Mass will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Ignatius Cardinal Kung Pin-Mei Bishop of Shanghai. The celebrant will be His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. Knights and Dames who plan to attend please contact our confratello Cav. Michael Limongello at 404-680-0635 or michael@limongello.org.

IHSV

Happy Birthday Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Photo courtesy of Real Casa di Borbone

We wish His Royal Highness a very Happy Birthday! May our loving God continue to bless you with peace and happiness!

Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of St. Titus

Thank you to this month's volunteers.

Thursday, February 6th, members of the Constantinian Auxiliary prepared and distributed food to the homeless in Chinatown and Two Bridges, New York on the Feast of St. Titus. Meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration (29 Mott St.), volunteers prepared care packages replete with toiletries, winter hats, gloves, scarves, 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 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; 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, March 5th—the First Week of Lent—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.

Announcing the Third Annual Lepanto Conference in New York City

Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,

The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George has been invited to attend in choir in church robes and decorations a Solemn Pontifical Mass from the Throne, at the Dominican Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Avenue (at 66th Street), New York, NY on Saturday February 15th at 11 am.

The Mass will commemorate the souls lost at the Battle of Lepanto to which our Order sent a fighting force, as well as persecuted Christians of our own day. The celebrant will be His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong.

Knights and Dames who plan to attend please contact our confratello, Cav. Michael Limongello at 404-680-0635 or michael@limongello.org.

Distributing Food to the Homeless on the Feast of Sant'Adriano di Canterbury

Thank you to this month's volunteers.

Thursday, January 9th, members of the Constantinian Auxiliary prepared and distributed food to the homeless in Chinatown and Two Bridges, New York on the Feast of St. Adrian of Canterbury. Meeting at the Church of the Transfiguration (29 Mott St.), volunteers prepared care packages replete with toiletries, winter hats, gloves, scarves, 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 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; 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, February 6th—the Feast of St. Alfonso Maria Fusco—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.

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

Our pal Louis Fontana of Caffé Napoli 

Caffé Napoli donated a heaping tray of penne marinara. 

Anna, Konstantinos and Tony

Participants said prayed for the homeless

Volunteers Needed for the January 2020 Constantinian Food Walk in New York City

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 9th 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.