On Friday, 14 November 2025 at 5:00 p.m., representatives of the Naples and Campania Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George took part, at the invitation of the Spanish NATO Contingent, in the solemn Eucharistic Celebration in honour of Saint Barbara, the Immaculate Conception, and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto—patron saints of the Spanish Armed Forces, Artillery, Infantry, Air Force, and Space Command. The celebration was held in the splendid setting of the Royal Pontifical Basilica of St. James of the Spaniards, at Piazza Municipio 29 in Naples, Italy and was presided over by the Rector, Father Luigi Pecoraro, Chaplain of Merit of the Constantinian Order.

A cultural event followed, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Pavia (24 February 1525), along with a visit to the grave monument of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro de Toledo. The basilica, built in 1540 by order of the Viceroy and dedicated to the patron saint of Spain, the Apostle St. James the Greater, is the national church of Spain in Naples. It belongs to the Royal Brotherhood of Spanish Nobles of Santiago—Royal Archconfraternity and Mount of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Spanish Nobles.

It is one of the most remarkable examples of viceregal architecture, a treasure chest of fine paintings and sculptures, incorporated into the palace of the Bourbon government ministries, today Palazzo San Giacomo, seat of the Municipality of Naples. The Eucharistic Celebration, together with the historical recollection and the visit to the Viceroys’ tomb, reaffirmed the centrality of the basilica as a privileged place of encounter among Faith, chivalric tradition, and European historical memory.

St. James of the Spaniards

The Holy Mass

Welcoming in the basilica the Delegation of Naples and Campania, the authorities, and the faithful present were:
– The Rector of the Royal Pontifical Basilica of St. James of the Spaniards, Father Luigi Pecoraro, Chaplain of Merit;
– The First Governor Count Don Giuseppe de Vargas Machuca, of the Dukes de Vargas Machuca, and Governor Baron Giovanni de Lutio, representing the Royal Brotherhood of Spanish Nobles of Santiago.

The Delegation Representation

The representation of the Naples and Campania Delegation of the Constantinian Order was led by:
– Count Gianluigi Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Aragona, of the Dukes of Laurenzana, Knight of Justice and Delegate.


He was accompanied by members of the Delegation Council:
– Fra Sergio Galdi d’Aragona, O.F.M., Chief Chaplain;
– Nob. Antonio Masselli, Acting Secretary General;
– Don Antonino Sersale, Acting Cultural Officer;
– Avv. Valeria Pessetti, Acting Operations Officer.

Also attending was:
– H.E. Marquis Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice, Lieutenant for Peninsular Southern Italy of the Order’s Royal Commission for Italy.

Also present were: Prof. Giovanni Muto, Knight Grand Cross of Merit; Count Avv. Gerardo Mariano Rocco di Torrepadula, Knight of Justice; Nob. Avv. Giuseppe Raimondo Majo Orsini and Dr. Giovanni Samo, Knights of Jure Sanguinis; Dr. Ettore Corrado Araimo and Avv. Stefano D’Ambrosio, Knights of Merit with Silver Star; Dr. Ugo Appierto, Warrant Officer Maurizio Barbato, Dr. Maurizio Bava Gagliardi, P.I. Antonio Caputo, Arch. Carlo Iavazzo, Dr. Mario Quarantiello, Warrant Officer Roberto Russo, Avv. Raffaele Strina, and Dr. Adriano Zeni, Knights of Merit; P.I. Antonino Giunta, P.I. Luigi Scarano, Dr. Gennaro Napoletano, Dr. Ciro Sommella, and Dr. Giovanni Tartaglione, Knights of Office; Avv. Attilio Barone, Dr. Alberto de Vargas Machuca, Dr. Vincenzo Esposito, Avv. Carlo Maria Faiello, Dr. Salvatore Mancino, Dr. Michele Finaldi, Dr. Donato David Mastrullo, Francesco Muscariello, and Stefania Conte, Postulants; and Antonio Fittipaldi, Staff Sergeant Fernando Russo, and Roberta Di Biase, friends of the Order.

Among the Spanish civil and military authorities: Rear Admiral Isidro Carrara Navas, Spanish Representative to the Allied Joint Force Command (JFC)–Naples; Lieutenant Colonel José Manuel Manau and Commander Joaquín Rivera of the Spanish Contingent at the Allied Joint Force Command (JFC)–Naples; and Prof. Encarnación Sánchez García, Professor of Spanish Literature in the Faculty of Humanities and Philosophy at the University of Naples “L’Orientale.”

Entrance of the Celebrants

Photos and descriptions translated:

First photo: the concelebrants exit the sacristy—Fra Sergio Galdi d’Aragona (left) and Rector Don Luigi Pecoraro (right).
Second photo: members of the Royal Brotherhood of Spanish Nobles of Santiago.
Third photo: the Rector presiding over the Eucharistic Celebration.

The Celebration

The Rector presided over the Mass in Spanish, concelebrated by Fra Sergio Galdi d’Aragona.

Readings

The First Reading (Wis 13:1–9), Responsorial Psalm (Ps 18/19), and Prayer of the Faithful were read by Spanish officers.
The Gospel (Lk 17:26–37) was proclaimed by Don Luigi Pecoraro.

Homily (summarized translation from the Italian text provided by Father Pecoraro)

He reflected on the themes of fidelity and courage: fidelity to the Word of God and courage to face life’s challenges. For the Armed Forces, these virtues translate into service, dedication, and adherence to Christian values.

The Conference on the Battle of Pavia

Following Mass, at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hernando de Alarcón, the Spanish NATO Contingent held a conference titled:

“Remembering the Victory of Pavia in the Presence of Hernando de Alarcón”
part of the 6th Cultural Day In the Footsteps of the Spaniards in Naples.

Speakers included:
– Count Don Giuseppe de Vargas Machuca
– Rear Admiral Isidro Carrara Navas
– Lieutenant Colonel José Manuel Manau: The Battle of Pavia
– Commander Joaquín Rivera: Profile of Don Hernando de Alarcón

The role of Hernando de Alarcón—Commander in the imperial army of Charles V—was highlighted, especially his strategic skill and honourable custody of the captured King Francis I of France.

Guided Visit to the Tomb of Don Pedro Álvarez de Toledo

A guided tour followed to the tomb of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro Álvarez de Toledo y Zúñiga, and his wife Doña María Osorio y Pimentel.
Professor Encarnación Sánchez García gave a detailed presentation on:

“The II Marquises of Villafranca and Their Tomb by Giovanni da Nola”

She described the monument as one of the most important examples of Spanish funerary art in Naples and a symbol of the historical significance of the Spanish Viceroyalty in Naples.

Don Pedro de Toledo (1484–1553)

He was one of the most important viceroys in the history of the Kingdom of Naples. Appointed by Charles V, he governed from 1532–1553 and profoundly transformed the city through:

– Urban reforms
– Strengthening of defenses
– Administrative and fiscal reforms
– Support of religious orders and institutions

Spanish Contingent at NATO Naples

The Spanish Contingent at the Allied Joint Force Command Naples consists of ~72 military personnel and 4 civilians, led by Rear Admiral Isidro Carrara Navas.
They participate in peace and security operations, including missions in Iraq, KFOR in Kosovo, and monitoring of the Romanian border.

The Royal Brotherhood of Spanish Nobles of Santiago

A historic religious and charitable confraternity based at St. James of the Spaniards.
Founded formally in 1614, with roots back to confraternities recognized in 1532 and 1534.

Its goals include:
– Divine worship
– Charity toward noble descendants of Spanish blood in need
– Support for Spanish-language education
– Scholarships for Catholic missionary candidates in Spanish-speaking countries

Its Brother Major Emeritus is King Juan Carlos I, and its Brother Major and Superior is King Felipe VI.
The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, Prince Pedro of Bourbon–Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, is an Honorary Brother.