On 6 June 2026, Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George undertook a pilgrimage to the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino, located in the hamlet of the same name within the Municipality of Viterbo, as part of the celebrations marking the 800th Anniversary of its Consecration (11 November 2025 – 11 November 2026).
The event represented an important occasion of faith, fellowship, and ecclesial witness, bringing together Constantinian Knights, Dames, and Chaplains from various territorial delegations of the Order. Alongside the host Delegation, representatives from the Delegations of Rome and Vatican City, Umbria, and Tuscany participated, highlighting the deep spiritual and fraternal bonds that unite the various components of the Constantinian Order. This Jubilee and Marian pilgrimage took place in one of the most significant centres of Cistercian spirituality in central Italy, a guardian of centuries-old religious tradition and a historical and artistic heritage of extraordinary value.
The presence of distinguished representatives of the Royal Commission for Italy, the participating Delegations, and civil authorities further underscored the ecclesial and institutional significance of the event. Throughout the day, marked by intense moments of prayer, reflection, and fraternity, participants renewed their fidelity to the Constantinian ideals of the glorification of the Holy Cross, the propagation of the Faith, and service to Holy Church, entrusting the Knights and Dames of the Order to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Queen of the Cimini Mountains, and invoking her patronage upon the activities of the Royal Commission for Italy and its Delegations.
The Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. by the Prior for Italy, His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice, Cardinal Protodeacon of the Deaconry of Santo Spirito in Sassia and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Concelebrants included His Excellency Bishop Lino Fumagalli, Bishop Emeritus of Viterbo, Grand Cross Chaplain of Merit and Ecclesiastical Counsellor of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina; Fra Sergio Galdi d’Aragona, O.F.M., Chaplain of Justice and Chief Chaplain of the Delegation of Naples and Campania; and Father Fabrizio Pacelli, Parish Priest of San Martino Vescovo in San Martino al Cimino, Episcopal Delegate for the Permanent Formation of Clergy and Deacons, and Spiritual Assistant of the Diocesan Seminary “Santa Maria della Quercia”.
In his welcoming address, Father Fabrizio Pacelli noted that the Jubilee pilgrimage formed part of the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the consecration of the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino, for which a special Holy Year had been proclaimed. Pilgrims were able to obtain a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions established by the Church, thus experiencing an authentic journey of conversion, prayer, and ecclesial communion. He also reflected on the deeper meaning of the Jubilee pilgrimage, emphasizing that the Jubilee should not be understood merely according to its common meaning but rather as a privileged time of grace and spiritual renewal. He invited all present to live the experience in a spirit of recollection and to entrust themselves to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, especially venerated at the Abbey and Patroness of the Cimini Mountains.
The liturgical ceremonies were coordinated by Professor Father Stefano Sivilla Clary, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star, First Deputy Chaplain and Representative for the Diocese of Rieti of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina, in the presence of Professor Father Pierdomenico Maria Volpi, O.Cist., Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star and Representative for the Abbey of Casamari; Professor Father Paolo De Luigi, Chaplain of Merit and Chaplain of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina; and Father Mirko Mochi, S.D.B., Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star and Chaplain for the Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia of the Delegation of Umbria.
Representing the Royal Commission for Italy were the Secretary General, Dr Michele Cantarano, Knight of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star and Secretary General of the Delegation of Rome and Vatican City; the Master of Ceremonies, Avv. Fabio Adernò, Knight of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star of the Delegation of Rome and Vatican City; and the Communications Director, Comm. Vik van Brantegem, Knight of Merit with Silver Star of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina.
The Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina was led by its Delegate, Nob. Avv. Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star and Civil Law Consultant to the Royal Commission for Italy, accompanied by the Vice Delegate and Treasurer, Dr Sandro Calista, Knight of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star; Master of Ceremonies Dr Francesco Genna, Knight of Merit with Silver Star; Councillor Dr Alessio Marzo, Knight of Merit with Silver Star; and Angelo Musa, Knight of Merit with Silver Star and Communications Officer for the Representation at the Abbey of Casamari.
The Delegation of Rome and Vatican City was headed by its Delegate, Professor Giuseppe Schlitzer, Knight Grand Cross of Jure Sanguinis, accompanied by his wife Paola Maggi; together with the Secretary, Communications Director and Representative for Charitable Activities, Professor Engineer Luca Mazzola, Knight of Merit; and the Representative for Constantinian Formation, Professor Enzo Cantarano, Knight of Jure Sanguinis, accompanied by his wife Professor Luisa Carini.
The Delegation of Umbria was represented by Acting Vice Delegate Dr Alessio Lamoratta, Knight of Jure Sanguinis; Communications Officer Emiliano Santinelli, Knight of Office; and Civil Authorities Liaison Officer Dr Vincenzo Maglione, Knight of Office. At the conclusion of the pilgrimage, the Acting Delegate for Umbria, H.E. Ambassador Alfredo Bastianelli, Knight Grand Cross of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, Gentleman of His Holiness and Lieutenant for Central Italy of the Royal Commission for Italy, sent a message stating: “In prayer I was with you from Brussels, where I was attending the Belgian investiture ceremony of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.”
The Delegation of Tuscany was represented by Pasquale de Leo, Knight of Jure Sanguinis.
Also present was Lina Delle Monache, Provincial Councillor, representing the President of the Province of Viterbo, Alessandro Romoli.
The Liturgy of the Word followed the Lectionary of Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time. The First Reading (2 Timothy 4:1–8) was proclaimed by Dr Sandro Calista, while the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 70) was read by Professor Giuseppe Schlitzer. The Gospel (Mark 12:38–44) was proclaimed by Fra Sergio Galdi d’Aragona, O.F.M.
In his homily, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti reflected on evangelical poverty and humility before God. He stressed that all people are poor before the Lord, not necessarily because of material deprivation, but above all in their spiritual life, faith, and relationship with God. Even the greatest saints, he noted, always recognised their own smallness before divine holiness.
Drawing upon the Gospel account of the poor widow, the Cardinal explained that the Lord does not look at the quantity of the offering but at the sincerity of the heart. The widow, despite her poverty, gives all that she possesses and thus becomes a model of total trust in God. Christians are called to do likewise, offering not merely what is superfluous, but their very selves, their hearts, and their willingness to follow God’s will.
Referring to Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, Cardinal Mamberti highlighted the enduring relevance of the Apostle’s exhortation: “Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” He warned against the temptation to abandon sound doctrine in favour of teachings that correspond to personal desires and preferences. This warning, he observed, is particularly relevant in contemporary society, where many seek spirituality yet often search for answers far removed from the authentic sources of the Christian faith.
For this reason, bishops, priests, and lay faithful alike are called to preserve and faithfully transmit the Church’s teaching. It is not enough merely to profess the faith; it must be witnessed concretely in daily life through words and actions that reveal the joy born of a life lived according to the Gospel.
The Prayer of the Faithful was recited by Dr Alessio Lamoratta and concluded with prayers for H.R.H. the Grand Master Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, that he may guide the Constantinian Order in a spirit of authentic service, and for all Chaplains, Knights, and Dames, that they may faithfully follow the principles of the Faith and the teachings of Holy Church.
During the Mass, remembrance was made of H.E. Don Vincenzo (Enzo) Maria Giuseppe Francesco Giovanni Nicola Capasso Torre, 16th Count of Pastene, 5th Count of Caprara, Count Palatine, Neapolitan and Beneventan Patrician, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice with Collar, former Grand Chancellor and President of the Royal Deputation and the Royal Commission for Italy, who passed away on 13 May 2026 at the age of ninety-five.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the Delegate for Tuscia and Sabina, Nob. Avv. Roberto Saccarello, read a message sent for the occasion by the President of the Royal Commission for Italy, H.E. Don Flavio Borghese, Prince of Sulmona and Montecompatri, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice. The message expressed gratitude to all participants, honoured the memory of Count Enzo Capasso Torre, and entrusted the Order and the Royal Commission for Italy to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Queen of the Cimini Mountains.
Following the Mass, the Delegate thanked Cardinal Mamberti for his kindness and constant support of the Order, and also expressed gratitude to Bishop Lino Fumagalli, the participating Delegations, the members of the Royal Commission for Italy, the civil authorities, and the Choir of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Quercia, whose sacred music enriched the solemn liturgy.
The Delegate then recited the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight.
Cardinal Mamberti subsequently led the Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Queen of the Cimini Mountains, before her venerated statue, invoking her maternal protection and intercession. The pilgrimage concluded with the singing of the ancient Marian antiphon Salve Regina.
After the celebration, a group photograph was taken, and the Constantinian Knights greeted the Prior for Italy in the sacristy. Participants also received a commemorative booklet prepared by the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina, featuring an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Queen of the Cimini Mountains, a brief historical note on the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino, and the text of the ancient Marian prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium.
The day concluded with a fraternal luncheon at the Ristorante Balletti in San Martino al Cimino. On this occasion, Professor Enzo Cantarano distributed a reflection entitled The Knight Martin: Legend and History, Between Power and Mercy, based on a podcast he had prepared on 11 November 2024 and previously included in the meditation for the Vigil of Arms of the 2024 Pontifical Celebration of Saint George.
Throughout the day, a spirit of deep spirituality, recollection, and sincere fraternity prevailed, strengthening among participants the awareness of their Christian vocation and their commitment to bear witness in daily life to the values of faith, charity, and service that constitute the foundation of the tradition and charism of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
The Knights and Dames who participated in the pilgrimage and fellowship luncheon carried away in their hearts and minds a precious memory of this experience, as another step in their ongoing journey of spiritual growth, faith, and friendship.
The photographic coverage of the event was provided by Cav. Gennaro Vernillo of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina.
In the sacristy, the Constantinian knights greeted His Eminence Cardinal Mamberti, the Constantinian Order’s Prior for Italy
