The Royal Commission for Italy of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George celebrated, in accordance with long established tradition, the liturgical memorial of its heavenly Patron with a Solemn Pontifical Mass in honour of Saint George, held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Basilica of Santa Chiara, in the heart of Naples.

The solemn Eucharistic liturgy, celebrated in Latin, was presided over by His Eminence Dominique Mamberti, Grand Prior for Italy of the Constantinian Order, Cardinal Deacon of the Holy Roman Church and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. The distinguished presence of the Grand Master, HRH Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta, and Head of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies, conferred upon the event the highest spiritual, ecclesial, institutional, and dynastic significance.

The Eucharistic Celebration saw a large and devout participation of Knights, Dames, Chaplains, postulants, family members, and guests of the Order, gathered in a moment of profound ecclesial communion and symbolic importance.

During the Mass—enriched by the solemnity of the liturgy and the historic setting of the Basilica—the foundational values of the Constantinian mission were recalled: the glorification of the Cross, the propagation of the Faith, and service to the Holy Church.

The Basilica and its historical significance

The Basilica of Santa Chiara is one of the most important monumental complexes in Naples and a place of exceptional historical, artistic, and spiritual value. Built between 1310 and 1328 at the will of Queen Sancia of Majorca, it has for centuries been a reference point for Neapolitan royalty and nobility.

Within the Royal Chapel of the Bourbons are preserved the remains of the Sovereigns of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, including Francis II of the Two Sicilies, Servant of God, together with Queen Maria Sophia and Princess Maria Cristina—making the Basilica a true shrine of dynastic memory.

The Pontifical Mass

Upon the arrival of the Celebrant, Cardinal Mamberti was received by the Principal Chaplain of the Naples and Campania Delegation, Fra’ Sergio Galdi d’Aragona, OFM, Chaplain of Justice; the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Naples, Fra’ Luigi Ortaglio, OFM, Chaplain of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star; and the President of the Royal Commission for Italy, H.E. Don Flavio Borghese, Prince of Sulmona and Montecompatri, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice.

The Eucharistic celebration began with the solemn entrance procession, following traditional ceremonial forms, involving clergy, ministers, and dignitaries of the Order.

During the liturgy, the readings and Gospel (Mark 16:15–20) emphasized the missionary mandate of the Church: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

In his homily, Cardinal Mamberti offered a profound theological reflection, highlighting:

  • the importance of evangelization
  • fidelity to the Constantinian charism
  • vigilance against evil through prayer, sacramental life, and works of mercy

A particularly moving moment was the Prayer of the Faithful, which included intentions for:

  • the universal Church
  • peoples afflicted by war, especially in the Middle East and Eastern Europe
  • the members of the Order, living and deceased

Investiture Ceremony

At the conclusion of the Pontifical Mass, the traditional Ceremony of Investiture and Promotion took place, according to the ancient rite of 1802.

Candidates publicly professed the Catholic faith before receiving:

  • blessed insignia
  • ceremonial mantles
  • official diplomas

The Grand Master personally greeted each new member, underscoring the paternal and symbolic dimension of the rite.

Among the senior officers and dignitaries of the Order were present the Grand Chancellor, H.E. Don Carlos Bárcena y Portolés, Ambassador of Spain, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice decorated with the Collar; the Vice Grand Chancellor, H.E. Guy Stair Sainty, Knight of the Royal and Distinguished Order of San Gennaro, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice; and the Councillor of the Royal Deputation, H.E. the Marquis Narciso Salvo of Pietraganzili, Knight Grand Cross of Justice.

In total:

  • 146 Knights
  • 19 Dames
  • 15 Chaplains

were admitted or promoted, along with 25 recipients of merit diplomas.

Homage to the Royal Tombs

Following the Regina Caeli, a solemn homage was paid at the Royal Tombs. A laurel wreath was laid by the Grand Master, accompanied by the Order’s Grand Chancellor and the President of the Royal Commission.

Cardinal Mamberti then recited prayers, blessing and incensing the royal sepulchres in a deeply solemn atmosphere.

A living tradition

With approximately 850 participants, the celebration demonstrated the vitality and deep-rooted presence of the Constantinian Order in Italy.

The event concluded with the return procession to the sacristy, sealing a day of extraordinary spiritual and institutional significance—renewing the enduring bond between tradition, faith, and identity that defines the Constantinian chivalric mission.

Address of the President of the Royal Commission for Italy

“In this magnificent Basilica of Santa Chiara, I have the privilege, in my capacity as President of the Royal Commission for Italy, to extend my most heartfelt greetings to all those present today for the celebration of the Pontifical Mass in honour of Saint George the Martyr, Patron of the Constantinian Order. This solemn Eucharistic Liturgy is presided over by His Most Reverend Eminence Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Constantinian Order and Grand Prior for Italy of the Order, to whom I renew my deepest sentiments of devotion and gratitude.

To our beloved Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta and Head of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies, I express my sincere gratitude for his august presence, confident that he will continue to follow with affectionate care and closeness the life of this Royal Commission and all its Delegations, which devote themselves to the mission of the Order, beginning precisely with Naples and Campania, lands so dear to the Royal House.

Today more than ever, to be a Knight or a Dame of the Order means to commit oneself to facing with determination the challenges that these difficult times place before each of us, drawing upon the strength of our Faith and listening to the words of our Church. The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, does not fail each day to indicate the path with his words of peace and his call to reject all recourse to violence. And on the occasion of the World Day of Peace this past January, the Holy Father repeated: ‘Peace be with you! This is the peace of the Risen Christ—a disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.’

Thus, as Knights, Dames, and Friends of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, we can devote ourselves to peace each day, following our mission of the glorification of the Cross, the propagation of the Faith, and the defense of the Holy Roman Church, by participating in the initiatives organized by our Delegates to bring Christian charity, fraternity, and peace to all. In this way, we reaffirm the chivalric and religious nature of the Order.

Finally, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who serve the Order within this Delegation, and to everyone who has contributed to the organization of this Pontifical with enthusiasm, determination, and tireless dedication.”

The Prayer of the Faithful

“Brethren, the Church lives by the proclamation of the Gospel. Let us raise our prayer to God the Father, who through the Evangelists has caused the Good News to resound throughout the world and, through the example of the Martyrs and Saints, has borne witness to it.

For the whole Church, and in particular for the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, for His Eminence the Cardinal celebrant Dominique Mamberti, for our Grand Prior, for the bishops, for our chaplains, and for all ministers of God: that they may live and bear witness with courage and consistency to the duty of proclamation and to the beauty of the saving Truth of Christ.

For nations afflicted by wars and injustices, and especially for the peoples suffering in the Middle East and Eastern Europe: that they may not be forgotten by the international community, but may experience renewed attention and more concrete assistance toward concord and the peace that only Christ can give.

For those who do not believe: that, through the coherent Christian witness of the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, they may be encouraged to seek more earnestly a meaning for their lives and may ultimately find it in faith in Christ Jesus, thus being freed from distress and loneliness.

For our Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta: that he may always guide with wisdom and fatherly care his august Family and all members of the Constantinian Order in faithful and generous service to God and to His Holy Church.

For the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, and especially for those who are received today: that, through the intercession of Saint George the Martyr, they may bear constant and coherent witness, with faith and fortitude, to the saving hope of the living God, under the sign of the Cross which they commit themselves to bear with devout honor.

For the blessed soul of the Servant of God Francis II of the Two Sicilies, King of the Two Sicilies, who rests in this sacred temple together with his beloved spouse and his august forebears: that the Lord may deign to grant to those who invoke his aid and patronage the graces they seek, so that, like his holy mother, he too may, in full observance of ecclesiastical law, soon be raised to the honours of the altar.

For the deceased Grand Masters of our Order; for all the Knights and Dames who have gone before us in the sign of faith and sleep the sleep of peace: that the Lord of Life may grant them the light of eternal blessedness, and that through our prayers of suffrage they may obtain the forgiveness of all their sins.

For all of us who today participate in this Holy Sacrifice offered on the feast of Saint Mark and in honour of Saint George: let us beseech the Father of glory that, as children in the Divine Son, we may cast aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, spreading the fragrance of Christ to all whom we meet along our path.

O Father, who have enlightened your Church with the teaching of the Evangelists, grant that, faithful to their instruction, we may attain the eternal joy of your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord.”