On Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024, a representation of Knights, Dames, Postulants and Volunteers of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George from the Calabria region volunteered at the canteen of the diocesan Caritas of Lamezia Terme. The regular functioning of the canteen is secured by the constant presence of volunteers who – bearing witness to the teaching of Christ – offer their time to serve the most needy, mostly people who are unfortunately still struggling with the aftermath of the economic and pandemic crisis, who are welcomed for lunch every day, including holidays.
The diocesan Caritas canteen of Lamezia Terme is located in via Bruno Napoleone Ruberto, on the premises of the Citadel of Charity in the Inter-parish Complex of San Benedetto, where on 16 March the Holy Mass of Easter Obligation was celebrated in the co-cathedral for the Knights, the Ladies and by the Calabrian Postulants of the Sacred Militia.
In addition to the canteen service in its various phases, such as preparing meals, setting the table, plating, clearing the table, sanitizing tables and chairs before and after the meals and tidying up with the volunteers, the Constantinian Knights, Ladies and Postulants donated Easter doves to every guest, as well as conversing and exchanging words of comfort.
Due to the reduction of public transport services on public holidays, many people who usually use the canteen on weekdays were unable to arrive on the day of Holy Easter due to the considerable distance between the canteen and the Caritas dormitory, located in another section of the Lamezzo municipality.
Therefore, to allow everyone to experience the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Dr. Domenico D’Auria, Knight of Merit, Raffaele Mazza, Knight of Office, and the volunteer Francesco Mazza transported hot meals to the dormitory via automobile, leaving Maurizio Capano, Knight of Office, and volunteers Dr. Maria Gianina Barcan and Antonietta Folino in charge of the canteen service.
This will certainly not be the first and last intervention of the Calabrian members of the Constantinian Order. Finding themselves in perfect harmony of intent with Sister Paola, the current head of the canteen, they plan to make this service a regular experience for the Constantinian Knights, Ladies, Postulants and Volunteers. In this regard, in the next few days a local representative of the Constantinian Order will contact the director of the canteen of the diocesan Caritas of Lamezia Terme.
Support and appreciation for the initiative were expressed by the Lieutenant for Southern Italy (excluding islands) of the Royal Commission for Italy of the Constantinian, H.E. the Marquis Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, who throughout the morning kept in close contact with the participants in the canteen service. “The best way to celebrate and bear witness to the Resurrection of Christ is not opulent lunches, but closeness to the least among us, in His name,” he stated.
