On April 26, 2026, the Fourth Sunday of Easter—Good Shepherd Sunday—the day following the Solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of Saint George, a well-attended Eucharistic Celebration took place in the historic Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples. The celebration was held in the presence of the Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta, Head of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies, accompanied by the Grand Chancellor of the Royal Deputation, His Excellency Don Carlos Bárcena y Portolés, Ambassador of Spain, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice with Collar, and the President of the Royal Commission for Italy, His Excellency Don Flavio Borghese, Prince of Sulmona and Montecompatri, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice.
The Holy Mass, presided over by the parish priest Father Salvatore Giuliano and concelebrated by the Head Chaplain of the Naples and Campania Delegation, Fra’ Sergio Galdi d’Aragona, OFM, Chaplain of Justice, represented a moment of deep spiritual communion and renewed witness to Christian values.
During the liturgy, the Grand Master conferred upon Father Giuliano the insignia of Chaplain of Merit of the Constantinian Order, recognizing his pastoral and social commitment in the heart of the city of Naples.
The event took place within a context of particular institutional importance, marked by the authorization granted on April 10, 2026, by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples, His Eminence Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, for the establishment of the new Magisterial Seat of the Naples and Campania Delegation at the Oratory of the Most Holy Crucifix, and by the subsequent magisterial decree of April 14, which confirmed the full operation of the Order’s activities under the guidance of the Church. The celebration also highlighted the central role of the Basilica as a place of renewed spiritual and cultural vitality, capable of combining tradition, charitable commitment, and attention to younger generations.
Holy Mass
On the morning of Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the Grand Master—present in Naples to preside over the Solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of Saint George and the Ceremony of Investiture and Promotion, and after visiting the Real Monte Manso di Scala Foundation—participated in the solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore together with the parish faithful, in an atmosphere of intense spirituality and communal participation.
The Delegation of Naples and Campania was led by the Delegate, Count Don Gianluigi Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Aragona, together with members of the Delegations of Naples and Campania, Apulia and Basilicata, Tuscia and Sabina, and Liguria.
Visit to the Basilica
Before the celebration, Father Salvatore Giuliano guided the Grand Master, dignitaries, and members of the Order on a visit to the Basilica, including its archaeological remains and early Christian and medieval artifacts, the Oratory, the picture gallery, and the so-called “Holy Land” area. Particular attention was given to a plaque that would indicate the tomb of the Siren Parthenope in the ancient pagan basilica.
During the visit, Father Giuliano also recalled the presence of the ancient Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, whose inscription, preserved in the Basilica, attests to the perpetual priorship of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies and his descendants.
Liturgical Celebration
At the beginning of the Mass, the Delegate for Naples and Campania read the letter from Cardinal Domenico Battaglia granting the former Oratory of the Confraternity of the 66 priests under the title of the Most Holy Crucifix, located within the Basilica, as the new Magisterial Seat of the Delegation.
In his homily, Father Giuliano emphasized the significance of Good Shepherd Sunday, made even more meaningful by the presence of the Grand Master. Reflecting on Christ as the Good Shepherd, he highlighted the importance of recognizing and following His voice, stressing that without a daily encounter with the Gospel, faith risks becoming merely a sequence of external rites.
He invited the faithful to examine their ability to listen to and follow Christ, recalling that only through trust in the Shepherd’s voice can one attain fullness of life.
Investiture
During the Eucharistic Celebration, Father Salvatore Giuliano was formally received into the Constantinian Order as Chaplain of Merit. The Head Chaplain pronounced in Latin the blessing of the mozzetta and the Constantinian decoration placed at the foot of the altar. The Grand Master then placed the Constantinian Cross around Father Giuliano’s neck.
This recognition holds special significance in light of the parish priest’s intense pastoral and social commitment, which has led to a profound renewal of both the Basilica and the parish community.
Liturgical Animation and Participation
The celebration was enriched by the participation of the parish children’s choir, emphasizing attention to younger generations and offering a moment of living and engaging catechesis. The presence and joyful singing of the children contributed to making the liturgy particularly meaningful.
Context and Pastoral Development
The event is part of a broader process that has seen the gradual integration of the Naples and Campania Delegation into the parish community. A first step had already been taken on December 28, 2025, during the Feast of the Holy Family, when a delegation participated in the Eucharistic Celebration alongside families, catechism children, and members of Catholic Action and Caritas.
A decisive moment came with the authorization granted on April 10, 2026, by Cardinal Battaglia for the establishment of the new Magisterial Seat, followed by the decree of April 14 issued by the Grand Master, which confirmed the full operational status of the Order’s activities and strengthened its bond with the Church and the local community.
The Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore, one of the oldest places of worship in Naples, now stands as a renewed point of reference for spiritual and cultural life in the historic center. After being closed for over forty years, it was reopened in 2012 and has gradually become a place of encounter, hospitality, and formation.
Under the guidance of Father Salvatore Giuliano, the Basilica has experienced a significant revival, becoming a cultural and pastoral center open to the city. Numerous initiatives have been promoted, including evangelization efforts, assistance to the poor, the “Don Bosco” soup kitchen, a solidarity shop, and projects supporting families and the elderly.
In this context, the presence of the Head of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies takes on a meaning that goes beyond the institutional dimension, representing a continuity of historical and cultural values deeply rooted in the traditions of Southern Italy. The figure of Saint George, celebrated in the previous day’s Pontifical Mass, thus continues to stand as a model of faith, courage, and witness, capable of speaking to all generations.
Conclusion
The celebration concluded with the recitation of the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight by the Delegate and the final blessing given by the parish priest, who expressed gratitude for the presence of the Grand Master, the dignitaries, and all participants.
The solemn Eucharistic Celebration thus stood not only as a liturgical moment, but as a tangible sign of renewed spiritual and social commitment, rooted in tradition and oriented toward the future of both the ecclesial and civil community.
