As is tradition, the Knights, Dames, and Postulants of the Sections of the Provinces of Enna, Messina, and Catania of the Delegation of Eastern Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George gathered for meetings in preparation for Christmas.

On Sunday, 14 December 2024, the Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete,” a solemn Holy Mass was celebrated at the Shrine of Saint Joseph in Enna. On Saturday, 20 December 2024, at the Church of Saint Joseph at the Palazzo in Messina, the solemn evening Holy Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Advent was celebrated; and at the Church of Saint Joseph at the Transito in Catania, the solemn vigil evening Holy Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Advent was celebrated according to the Vetus Ordo, focusing on the Annunciation and the Incarnation, and on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Advent is synonymous with waiting: the liturgical season of spiritual preparation that begins four Sundays before Christmas, marking the start of the new liturgical year. It is a twofold and joyful waiting: the remembrance of the birth of Jesus (past) and the anticipation of His glorious Second Coming (future). It is an invitation to hope, conversion, and openness of heart to welcome the light of God who comes, through figures such as Isaiah, John the Baptist, Joseph, and Mary.

Section of Enna

The Section of the Province of Enna gathered on Sunday, 14 December, at 10:30 a.m., at the Shrine of Saint Joseph in Enna. The solemn celebration of the Holy Mass was presided over by the Parish Priest of Saint John the Baptist and Chaplain of the Enna Prison, Father Giacomo Zangara, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star.

Reading
The Knights, Dames, and Postulants of the Section of the Province of Enna were led by the Section Representatives, Dr. Salvatrice Lucia Giunta, Dame of Merit with Silver Star, and Dr. Filippo Cuda, Knight of Merit, who recited the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight at the conclusion of Mass. The Second Reading was proclaimed by Avv. Carmelo Mirisciotti, Knight of Merit.

Section of Messina

The Section of the Province of Messina gathered on Saturday, 20 December 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the Church of Saint Joseph at the Palazzo in Messina. The solemn celebration of the evening Holy Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Advent was presided over by the Rector, Monsignor Santi Musicò, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star, with the Parish Priest of Santa Maria Annunziata of Merì, Father Damiano La Rosa, Chaplain of Merit, concelebrating.

The Knights, Dames, and Postulants of the Section of the Province of Messina were led by the Secretary General of the Delegation, Dr. Michele Lauro, Knight of Merit with Silver Star, together with the Treasurer, Matteo Santoro, Knight of Merit with Silver Star; the Director of Communications, Antonino Lauro, Knight of Merit, who proclaimed the Responsorial Psalm; the Director of Cultural Activities, Dr. Attilio Borda Bossana, Knight of Merit with Silver Star; and the Provincial Representative for Messina, Dr. Giuseppe Tortorici, Knight of Merit with Silver Star. The First Reading was proclaimed by Prof. Donatella Romeo, Dame of Merit; the Second Reading was proclaimed by Prof. Salvatore Italiano, Knight of Jure Sanguinis. The Prayer of the Faithful was proclaimed by Avv. Francesco Russo, Knight of Merit. The Prayer of the Constantinian Knight at the conclusion of the Holy Mass was recited by Prof. Riccardo Millemaggi Palatini, Knight of Jure Sanguinis.

Section of Catania

The Section of the Province of Catania gathered on Saturday, 20 December 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at the Church of Saint Joseph at the Transito in Catania. The Holy Mass was celebrated according to the Vetus Ordo by the Delegation’s Religious Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Carmelo Asero, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star  and Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Catania, in the presence of Father Guglielmo Fenolla, Chaplain of Merit, and the Provincial Representative for Catania, Dr. Luigi Lauriola, Knight of Merit.

Homily


While officiating the solemn evening vigil liturgy of the Sixth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of the Incarnation, Mons. Carmelo Asero focused his homily on the silence of Saint Joseph—not as mere acceptance, but as contemplation of the coming of the Messiah.

In this Sunday’s celebration according to the Vetus Ordo, the liturgy is characterized by Readings that emphasize the expectation of the Messiah who is about to be born, and by Antiphons that recall the messianic prophecies and the figure of Mary, such as “Drop down dew, O heavens, from above” (Introit), the Gospel of Matthew on the Annunciation to Joseph, and the Communion Antiphon, “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Emmanuel). The liturgy prepares for the coming of the Lord, highlighting the mystery of the Incarnation and the role of Mary as the “New Eve,” with a strong emphasis on spiritual preparation and joy at the presence of God who becomes man.