On Saturday, 22 August 2026, a representation from the Delegation of Eastern Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took part in Messina in the solemn celebrations in honor of Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato, a Clarissan nun and prominent figure of Franciscan spirituality, who in 1464 founded the Monastery of Montevergine. The feast of Saint Eustochia has its roots in a Decree of the Senate of Messina dated 2 July 1777 and still preserves today significant moments of the city’s religious tradition.
The Constantinian delegation took part by invitation of the Abbess, Sister Maria Agnese Pavone, O.S.C., of the Community of the Clarisses, and of the Chaplain, Msgr. Pietro Aliquò, reaffirming the bond of the Order with the places of faith and with the religious communities that safeguard a spiritual heritage of extraordinary value for the Church and for the history of Sicily.
The Holy Mass in the Church of Saint Eustochia, on Via XXIV Maggio, was presided at 6:30 p.m. by Father Bruno Rampazzo, R.C.I., Superior General of the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, an Institute founded in Messina by Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia. During the celebration, the traditional votive candle was presented—a sign of the City of Messina’s entrustment to the protection and intercession of the Saint.
The day also took on a special meaning in connection with Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia, founder of the Rogationists and of the Daughters of Divine Zeal, who nurtured a deep devotion to Saint Eustochia.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Celebration, the traditional Walk of Thanksgiving from the Monastery of Montevergine to the Saint’s birthplace, in the Annunziata Village, brought a day of Faith, remembrance, and devotion to an end.
The representation of the Delegation of Eastern Sicily was led, in place of the Delegate, by the Hon. Ferdinando Testoni Blasco, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, the General Secretary, Dr. Michele Lauro, Knight of Jure Sanguinis ; the Representative for the Province of Messina, Dr. Giuseppe Tortorici, Knight of Merit with Silver Star; the Representative for the Province of Catania and, in the meantime, for the Provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, Dr. Luigi Lauriola, Knight of Merit; and Attorney Francesco Russo, Knight of Merit.
Particularly significant was the moment of lighting the traditional votive candle at the feet of Saint Eustochia on the day commemorating her incorrupt body. During the celebration, it was lit by the Councilor Alessandra Calafiore, thereby symbolically renewing the City of Messina’s entrustment to the Saint’s protection and intercession.
The rite brought together in the church of the Monastery the city authorities, representatives of confraternities and chivalric orders, the volunteers of the Month of Christ the King and of Saint Anthony, and numerous faithful—restoring the celebration to its full communal and popular dimension, and bearing witness to a deeply rooted religious tradition in the history of Messina.
“Saint Eustochia continues her mission among us even today; she has always been a guiding light for the people of Messina, just as Saint Hannibal, who held a profound devotion for the Saint,” said Father Rampazzo.
