As happens every year on the feast of the Madonna dell’Aspettizione al Parto (the Madonna awaiting the Birth), the Christmas meeting of the Delegation of Western Sicily of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took place on Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 11.00 am at the Oratorio della Dame al Giardinello (in via del Ponticello 39 in Palermo), a short distance from the Faculty of Law and the monumental complex of the Church of Gesù. In this baroque jewel of rare beauty and inestimable value, unfortunately unknown to many residents of Palermo, is the home to the Noble Congregation of the Ladies of the Expectation of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, which has always been responsible for assisting indigent women giving birth. Following tradition, on this occasion some layettes were delivered for newborns and panettone for the Comboni nuns who will help Sister Valeria make Christmas a happier one for poor children. The Oratorio delle Dame al Giardinello, which has continued for four centuries and still operates today, has been declared a national monument.
The representation of the Knights and Ladies of the Delegation, led by the Delegate, the Nob. Prof. Salvatore Bordonali, Knight Grand Cross of Justice, was welcomed by Mother Superior Donna Agata Orlando Riva Sanseverino, who asked the Delegate to convey the ladies’ greetings to HRH Princess Sofia of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria, Lady of Honor of the Noble Congregation of Ladies.
On this occasion, the layettes for the newborns were delivered by the Lions and Rotary Service Clubs and the Constantinian Ladies, and there was a presentation of the panettone, set up in the shape of a Christmas tree, intended for the Comboni nuns represented by Sister Valeria, delivered by the Treasurer of the Delegation, Dr. Gastone Brizzi, Knight of Merit with Silver Star.
After the ceremony of delivery of the Christmas gifts, Mass was celebrated, presided over by Father Luigi De Lucia, S.I., with concelebrants Father Davide Calantoni, Chaplain of Merit with Silver Star, and Father Faustino Licata, S.I.
At the conclusion of Mass, the traditional exchange of Christmas and New Year greetings took place in the rooms adjacent to the chapel. The Superior of the Noble Congregation of Ladies greeted those present, thanking in particular those who contributed to donating the layettes for the newborns, and the Delegate for Western Sicily thanked the Superior for her generous hospitality, concluding with Christmas greetings to those present.
