On Sunday 19 January 2025, the centenary of the passing of H.M. Maria Sofia, last Queen Consort of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (in Munich on 19 January 1925), the Delegation of Eastern Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George held a commemoration at the church of San Giuseppe al Palazzo in via Cesare Battisti 109 in Messina. Her remains, together with those of her husband H.M. Francis II of Bourbon, last King of the Two Sicilies and his daughter Maria Cristina, rest in the Royal Chapel of the Bourbons at the Royal Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples. Maria Sofia was Queen Consort of the Two Sicilies for less than two years, until the capitulation of Gaeta on 13 February 1861. She became a legendary figure as the soldier-queen and the very symbol of the resistance of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies during the long Piedmontese siege of the fortress of Gaeta, where she constantly exposed himself to enemy fire and personally assisted the wounded.
Monsignor Santi Musico’, Constantinian Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star, presided over the solemn Eucharistic Celebration.
The First Reading [Isaiah 62,1-5 – The groom will rejoice for the bride] was recited by Francesca Rizzuti, Dame of Merit. The Responsorial Psalm [Psalm 96 (95) – Announce the wonders of the Lord to all peoples] was recited by Donatella Romeo, Dame of Merit. The Second Reading [Cor 12,4-11 – The one and the same Spirit distributes to each as he wishes] was recited by Attilio Borda Bossana, Knight of Merit with Silver Star. The Gospel [John 2,1-11 – This, in Cana of Galilee, was the beginning of the signs performed by Jesus] was proclaimed by Monsignor Santi Musico’, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star. The Prayer of the Faithful [Lord make us new wine’ – An invitation to meditate that the Lord is not satisfied with a formal adherence to His message of salvation, but that He demands a radical transformation of being Christian] was recited by Giovanni Picone, Knight of Merit.
The representation of knights, dames, postulants and friends of the Delegation of Eastern Sicily was led by the Delegate, Nob. Ferdinando Testoni Blasco, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, with the Deputy Delegate, Nob. Gian Francesco Galletti, Baron of Santa Rosalia and Cancimino, Knight of Justice, and the Secretary General, Michele Lauro, Knight of Merit with Silver Star.
At the end of the Mass, Nob. Ferdinando Testoni Blasco, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, recited the Prayer of the Constantinian Knight and Baron Arturo Nesci di Sant’Agata spoke about H.M. Sofia Amalia, last Queen of the Two Sicilies (born Duchess Sofia Amalia in Bavaria).
