On Sunday 9 June 2024 at 10.30 am, at the Royal Collegiate Basilica of Maria Santissima dell’Elemosina in via Etnea 23 in Catania, the scheduled Holy Mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of Duke Diego de Vargas Machuca, the late President of the Royal Commission for Italy, one year after his death on 25 May 2023. A representation of the Delegation of Eastern Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, led by the Delegate, participated. The solemn and touching celebration underlined the importance and memory of those who dedicated their lives to the service of the Constantinian.
The Holy Mass was presided over by the Chief Chaplain of the Delegation, Monsignor Carmelo Salvatore Asero, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star, Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Catania, in the presence of the Delegate of Eastern Sicily, Nob. Ferdinando Testoni Blasco, Knight Grand Cross of Justice.
Also participating were: Santino Adriano Matarazzo and Piersanti Serrano, Knights of Merit with Silver Star; Nino di Mauro, Marcello Catalano, Alfio Scirè Risichella, Luigi Lauriola, Agostino Marando, Knights of Merit; Innocenzo Pillitteri and Salvatore Cardaci, Knights of Office; and Dr. Benedetto Reggio, Domenico Ciccarello and Giuseppe Chiesa, Postulants.
The First Reading and the Responsorial Psalm were read by Salvatore Cardaci, Knight of Office. The Second Reading was read by Dr. Benedetto Reggio, Postulant.
The Gospel was proclaimed by the Chief Chaplain, Monsignor Carmelo Salvatore Asero, who at the end of the Mass also recited the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight.
The solemn liturgy was enlivened with pieces performed on the organ by Piersanti Serrano, Knight of Merit with Silver Star.
