On Friday, 14 November 2025, at the historic Church of San Giuseppe al Corso on Corso Garibaldi—one of the most beautiful and significant places of worship in the heart of Reggio Calabria, Italy and a true point of reference for the entire city—a meeting was held by the Reggio Calabria Section of the Calabria Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. The gathering renewed among the participants the Constantinian sense of belonging and the spirit of chivalric fraternity.
The Eucharistic Celebration offered an intense moment of prayer and reflection on Christian values and the Constantinian charism that animates the mission of the Order: Faith, Charity, and dedication to the Holy Cross.
The meeting also provided the participants with a concrete opportunity to express the value of Christian solidarity. A spontaneous collection was organized among the Confrères to support individuals and families in need, through grocery vouchers delivered to Msgr. Pasquale Catanese, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria–Bova and Rector of the church, which is part of the Parish of San Giorgio al Corso. These vouchers will be distributed—through parish services—to those most in need.
A tangible sign of the Constantinian Knights’ commitment to the territory and a living testimony of a chivalric tradition that unites spirituality, service, and solidarity. An ancient Order, a renewed spirit.
The celebration of Holy Mass for the Friday of the 32nd Week of Ordinary Time was presided at 7:00 p.m. by Father Giovanni Gattuso, with Father Giovanni Zappalà, Chaplains of Merit, concelebrating. Present were several members of the Order, including the Vice Delegate for Calabria, Nob. Dr. Candido Francica di Panaya, Knight of Justice; the Delegation’s External Relations Officer, Avv. Francesco Biasi, Knight of Jure Sanguinis; and the Reggio Calabria Section Referent, Avv. Massimo Seminara, Knight of Merit with Silver Star, who organized the meeting together with Mario Latella, Knight of Merit.
Commenting on the Gospel passage proclaimed (Luke 17:26–37 – So it will be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed), Father Giovanni Gattuso offered a meditation on the meaning of belonging to the Constantinian Order:
“To be Constantinian Knights means to be noble and generous persons in spirit. I do not refer only to the generosity that leads us to perform works of charity; I refer to the generosity that becomes love, hospitality, and making room in our hearts for everyone—going out to meet all.”
Words that clearly recall the spirit of service and openness to those in need—an attitude that must inspire every member of the Constantinian Order, in full coherence with their Christian and chivalric identity.
The Church of San Giuseppe al Corso
Exterior
The Church of San Giuseppe al Corso reopened its doors last year—after having been forced to close since 2019 due to the discovery of severe roof damage—with the first Mass celebrated on Sunday, 17 March 2024, by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Reggio Calabria–Bova, Msgr. Fortunato Morrone.
The church was originally built in 1598 in a different location. It was twice destroyed by the catastrophic earthquakes of 1783 and 1908, after which it was rebuilt in its current neo-Gothic style.
The main façade is dominated by a large portal surmounted by a rose window. Two small shrines frame the sides of the entrance.
Interior
Inside, one can admire a painting of Saint Philip Neri and an 1838 depiction of the Madonna of Portosalvo by Brunetto Aloi. The latter originally belonged to the church dedicated to Our Lady of Portosalvo, located on the old seafront, which was never rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake.
