The Umbria Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George will celebrate, at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, 7 March 2026, at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Firmina in Amelia, the solemn evening Holy Mass of the Third Sunday of Lent, in preparation for Holy Easter. The Mass will be presided over by the Bishop of Terni–Amelia, His Excellency the Most Reverend Francesco Antonio Soddu, Constantinian Grand Cross Chaplain of Merit and Secretary General of the Umbrian Episcopal Conference.
Taking part in the Mass, in addition to the Umbrian Confrères and Postulants, will be those led by the Interim Delegate for Umbria, His Excellency Ambassador Alfredo Bastianelli, Gentleman of His Holiness, Knight Grand Cross of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, Lieutenant for Central Italy of the Order’s Royal Commission for Italy, together with other Members of the Royal Commission and a representation of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina.
A convivial gathering at a local restaurant will follow.
The celebration of this Mass, presided over by the diocesan Bishop, takes place with particular significance following:
– the establishment of the Umbria Delegation on 12 October 2025;
– the audience granted by Archbishop Francesco Antonio Soddu at the Episcopal Palace of Terni to a representation of the Umbria Delegation, led by the Interim Delegate, together with the Interim Vice Delegate, Dr Alessio Lamoratta, Knight of Jure Sanguinis, and the Chaplain of the Delegation for the Diocese of Terni–Narni–Amelia, Prof. Father Giuseppe Capsoni, Chaplain of Merit;
– and the pre-Christmas gathering of the Delegation on 19 December 2025 in San Gemini.
The Liturgy
The liturgy of Sunday, 8 March 2026 celebrates preparation for Holy Easter, focusing on the call to conversion and to new life in Christ. The Church recalls the importance of penance, prayer, and works of charity as means of purifying hearts and welcoming the grace of the Resurrection.
The Territory of the Umbria Delegation
The Umbria Delegation extends over the territory of the Umbrian Ecclesiastical Region, which includes the administrative region of Umbria and certain localities in Lazio and the Marche. It is composed of eight dioceses:
– the Archdiocese of Perugia–Città della Pieve, with its suffragan dioceses of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino, Città di Castello, Foligno, and Gubbio;
– the Archdiocese of Spoleto–Norcia;
– and the Dioceses of Orvieto–Todi and—previously covered by the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina—Terni–Narni–Amelia, which are immediately subject to the Holy See.
The Reference Church of the Umbria Delegation
The reference church of the Umbria Delegation is the Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Terni–Narni–Amelia, dedicated to Saint Firmina, the young daughter of Calpurnius, Prefect of the City, who lived during the time of Emperor Diocletian. It was erected on the summit of the hill—the sacrum verticem of Amelia—in the year 872.
In 1629, a devastating fire destroyed the church, which was subsequently rebuilt in Baroque style. The interior is laid out in the form of a Latin cross, with a single nave and a deep apsidal presbytery. Along the nave, covered by a frescoed barrel vault, open five chapels on each side.
