On 3 March 2024, the Third Sunday of Lent, a Representation of the Delegation of Puglia and Basilicata of the Constantinian Order, led by Dr. Davide Dragonetti, Knight of Merit, held a day of spiritual retreat in preparation for Easter at the Convent of the Capuchin Friars in Vietri di Potenza. This took place in the presence of the Delegate, the Nob. Attorney Dario de Letteriis, Knight Grand Cross Jure Sanguinis.
The Lenten spiritual retreat marked the beginning of the activities of the newly formed Constantinian Representation in Basilicata. Fra’ Gerardo Lasalvia, OFM Cap, led the retreat and also commenced his role as diocesan spiritual assistant for the Order in Basilicata.
The Delegate expressed his personal support and that of all the confrères and consoeurs of the Delegation of Puglia and Basilicata for the flourishing of the activities of the new Representation. He also welcomed Father Lasalvia as Spiritual Assistant, thanking the Lord, in prayer with the local Representation, for this important recognition received from the Archdiocese of Potenza-Muro Lucano-Marsico Nuovo.
On 10 October 2023, the Metropolitan Archbishop, the Most Reverend Salvatore Ligorio, who today is Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese, appointed Father Lasalvia, pursuant to Can. 317 of the Code of Canon Law, “ad triennium Chaplain of the Constantinian Order of Saint George for the diocese”, “considering the opportunity to encourage the diffusion” of the “spirituality connected to the constitution and nature” of the Constantinian Order. This was in response to a request presented by the Delegate de Letteriis on 29 September 2023. According to the appointment decree, Father Lasalvia will fulfill his ministry “in compliance with the constitutions of the aforementioned Order and the prerogatives of the Cav. Dr. Davide Dragonetti, Moderator in the diocese of the Delegation of Puglia and Basilicata.” With words that denote profound esteem and knowledge of the nature of the Constantinian Order, Archbishop Ligorio expressed in the decree his particular support of the purposes and charism of the Constantinian Order, supporting, with a gesture of paternal benevolence, the spiritual path of the Constantinian Knights in the diocesan community under his pastoral guidance.
The spiritual retreat began at 10.00 am with the recitation of Morning Lauds, followed at 10.30 by the First Meditation, in which participants focused on Phil 4:8: “In conclusion, brothers, everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovable, honoured, that which is virtue and deserves praise, let all this be the object of your thoughts.” At 11.00 am the Moment in the Desert followed, with personal prayer.
After lunch, at 2.30 pm the Second Meditation was held, in which participants focused on Eph 6,11-17: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand firm against the wiles of the devil; for our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness, which are in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and to stand after you all have done your duty. Stand firm therefore: take the truth to gird your loins; put on the armor of justice; put the zeal given by the Gospel of Peace as shoes on your feet; take, in addition to all this, the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The time for confession followed the Midday Hour at 3.00 pm and Holy Mass was celebrated at 5.30 pm. At the end, the participants venerated the famous relic of the Holy Thorn, preserved at the Capuchin convent.
Both passages on which the Meditations ended evoke essential teachings and principles of spirituality and of the particular religious, military and chivalric vocation that unites the members of the Constantinian Order and which are expressed in their highest form by the figure of Saint George, Heavenly Patron of the Constantinian Order.
At the end of the spiritual exercises, the Delegate expressed his thanks for this precious moment of spirituality: “I would like to thank the Father Guardian of the Convent of the Capuchin Friars of Vietri di Potenza for the exquisite hospitality, Father Gerardo Lasalvia for the meditations proposed in the retreat, and our Brother Knights Davide and Stefano Dragonetti for the excellent organization. It is an experience worth repeating. A very beautiful first page in the history of our Delegation in Basilicata has been written. We thank the Lord for the gift received.”
