The anniversary of May 26, the feast of Mary Most Holy Liberator, Protectress of the City of Viterbo and celestial patron of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, represents the most important event of the year for the Knights, Ladies and Postulants of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina. In addition, in accordance with tradition, a representation of the Delegation, led by the Delegate, the Nob. Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, will take part in the celebrations in honor of the great Augustinian saint, Saint Rita of Cascia, on her feast day. This will be held on May 22, 2024 at the Convent of the Santissima Trinità in Viterbo. The Delegation will also participate in the Holy Mass and the Corpus Domini Procession in Bolsena on 2 June 2024, on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina – since its establishment in 2002 by decree of the 31st Grand Master, H.R.H. the Infante of Spain, Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, of happy memory – chose the church of the Holy Trinity (Santissima Trinità) as the center of his spiritual life. From the beginning, the Constantinians chose the Madonna Liberatrice as their celestial Patroness, committing themselves to the spread of her devotion. Every year they participate in the traditional procession in her honor. The church was built by the Augustinian Hermits in Gothic form in 1256 and rebuilt in 1745. The Madonna is particularly honored in it, invoked with the Title of Liberatrice due to the prodigious events of 28 May 1320 and for having liberated the Viterbo people over the centuries during wars and disasters. The Constantinian Chapel in the church was blessed on 8 April 2018, in the presence of the 32nd Grand Master of the Constantinian Order H.R.H. Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta. The Constantinian Chapel contains an artistic 16th century wooden Crucifix, restored by the Delegation.
To prepare for the important anniversary of the feast of the Madonna Liberatrice, the Delegation sent to its members a short essay on the history of the Cult and Sanctuary of the Madonna Liberatrice (entitled “Seven centuries of the cult of the Madonna Liberatrice in the church of the Augustinians of Viterbo (1320-2020)”), written by the First Chaplain of the Order’s Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina, Prof. Father Rocco Ronzani, OSA, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star (published in Analecta Augustiniana, Volume LXXXIII, 2020, pp. 179-245).
The devotion of the Constantinian Knights towards Santa Rita was constant. We remember the Pilgrimage carried out on 17 October 2015 by the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina, together with a representation of the Marche and Romagna Delegation, which was also attended by the late President of the Order’s Royal Commission for Italy, H.E. Duke Diego de Vargas Machuca. During the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Monsignor Giovanni D’Ercole, then Bishop of Ascoli Piceno, Chaplain Grand Cross of Merit of the Constantinian Order, the cloaks of the new Knights were blessed.
