On May 22, 2026, Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, a representation of the Delegation of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, led by the Delegate, Dr. Cesare Tabarrini, Knight Grand Cross of Merit and member of the Royal Commission for San Marino, gathered at the Church of Saint Francis, located at Via Basilicius 33 in Contrada San Francesco, within the walls of the ancient city of the Republic of San Marino.
The celebration of Holy Mass, on the liturgical memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia and in honor of Saint George the Martyr, principal patron of the Constantinian Order, was presided over at 6:00 p.m. by the Bishop of San Marino-Montefeltro, H.E. the Most Reverend Domenico Beneventi, with concelebrants Father Tiziano Zoli, Chaplain of Merit, and Father Gabriele Mangiarotti, diocesan representative for the Church of Saint Francis.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the Bishop spent time with the participants in a fraternal atmosphere. The meeting, intended primarily as an opportunity for mutual acquaintance and information-sharing, developed in a spirit of collaboration aimed at identifying appropriate common activities and shared objectives.
The gathering was followed by a fraternal dinner at the Ritrovo XXVIII Luglio restaurant in the City of San Marino, featuring traditional Romagnol specialties and local culinary traditions, attended also by Bishop Beneventi and the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The event was attended by Knights, Dames, Postulants, family members, and guests of the Delegation, including the Hon. Matteo Rossi, former Captain Regent of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino during the semester from October 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026.
In his homily, Bishop Domenico Beneventi reflected upon the figure of Saint George, to whom Constantinian Knights and Dames must constantly look as a model for their commitment within the Church and society. He also recalled the life and faith of Saint Rita of Cascia.
The feast of the great Augustinian saint, deeply cherished also by members of the Order, represents an invitation to ensure that devotion is translated into daily life. Each time the feast of a saint is celebrated, there is the risk of considering them distant figures, believing holiness is not meant for us, whereas holiness is in fact a universal calling. Therefore, the love that the Constantinian Knights bear toward Saint Rita encourages them to take another step forward toward that goal.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Celebration, Patrizia Gallo, Dame of Merit, led the recitation of the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight.
Subsequently, the Delegate, Dr. Cesare Tabarrini, expressed particular gratitude to the Bishop and concelebrants, as well as to the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, who, as is customary, animated the Eucharistic Liturgy through sacred chant.
Since 2021, with the approval of the Superior of the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Sister Maria Gloria Riva, a renowned expert and scholar of art, the Delegation of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino has chosen the Church of Saint Francis in the City of San Marino as the place of worship and spiritual reference for its functions.
The monastic community of the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, originally known as the Nuns of Eucharistic Adoration, was founded in Rome on May 31, 1807 by Caterina Sordini, Sister Maria Maddalena of the Incarnation. The nuns follow the Rule of Saint Augustine and the constitutions drawn up by the foundress.
The Delegate also recalled that the Grand Master, HRH Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta, Head of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies, conferred the Constantinian Gold Medal of Merit upon the Church of Saint Francis, the oldest church in the historic center of the City of San Marino, dating back to the fourteenth century.
Finally, the roses of Saint Rita of Cascia were blessed.
This gathering for the observance of Saint George, whose liturgical memorial falls on April 23, forms part of the annual events in which members of the Constantinian Order are encouraged to participate, together with the celebrations for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 and the Holy Mass for the deceased during the pre-Christmas season.
