In keeping with a cherished tradition, on 14 December 2025, the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete), the pre-Christmas gathering of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took place. At 11:30 a.m., at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity—city sanctuary of Mary Most Holy the Liberator, celestial patroness of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation and protectress of the City of the Popes—the Bishop of Viterbo, His Excellency the Most Reverend Orazio Francesco Piazza, presided over the solemn celebration of the Holy Mass in preparation for Christmas.

Concelebrating were Father Stefano Trio, C.PP.S., Chaplain of Merit of the Order; Father Vito Logoteto, O.S.A., Prior of the Convent of the Most Holy Trinity; and Father Roberto Bracaccini, Episcopal Secretary.

The solemn celebration began with the Entrance Procession, led by more than sixty Constantinian Knights of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation, guided by the Delegate, Nob. Attorney Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross ofJure Sanguinis with Gold Star; by the Vice Delegate, Nob. Dr. Sandro Calista, Knight of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star; and by the Secretary General, Dr. Alessio Lamoratta, Knight ofJure Sanguinis. Representing the Royal Commission for Italy were the Secretary General, Dr. Michele Cantarano, Knight of Jure Sanguinis, and the Director of Communications, Commendatore Vik van Brantegem, Knight of Merit with Silver Star.

Procession

At the beginning of the Sacred Rite, two young women from the Community of the Most Holy Trinity lit the third candle of the parish Advent wreath.

The First Reading (Is 35:1–6, 8, 10 – Behold your God, He comes to save you) was proclaimed by the Secretary General of the Delegation, Dr. Alessio Lamoratta, Knight of Jure Sanguinis. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 145 – Come, Lord, to save us) and the Second Reading (Jas 5:7–10 – Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near) were proclaimed by Prof. Roberto Sangiorgi Colangelo, Knight of Merit. The Gospel (Mt 11:2–11 – Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?) was proclaimed by Father Stefano Trio, C.PP.S., Chaplain of Merit. The Prayer of the Faithful was read by a parishioner of the Most Holy Trinity. Liturgical music was provided by the parish choir.

Holy Mass

During the Liturgy of the Word, the Church proposes for the Third Sunday of Advent a Gospel passage in which Jesus asks the crowds what they actually went out to see. Well-dressed people can be found everywhere, but if it was a prophet they wished to see, then they did indeed see one. They were right to go to John the Baptist, for the Law and the Prophets had pointed to him. Yet the people followed him as children would dance in the marketplace without caring who was playing the flute. The parable that follows—though not included in the text proposed for this Sunday—offers an illuminating answer: in fact, people often do not know what they want. They chase after anyone who promises something sensational.

Homily

Beginning his homily, Bishop Orazio Francesco Piazza greeted the parish community of the Most Holy Trinity and the Constantinian Knights present, offering particular thanks to Father Stefano Trio, C.PP.S., for the zeal with which he follows the activities of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation.

Bishop Piazza affirmed: “Jesus Christ is our only hope,” the source of the joy that a Christian must carry in his or her heart, because this hope is ever closer, as we also heard in the Readings. “Do you have joy in your heart?” Bishop Piazza asked. How difficult it is to have joy in one’s heart in the face of life’s difficulties. We need to renew this joy within us by clinging to the Lord. In our hearts, hope must be renewed in order to rediscover joy through the light of hope.

A change of perspective is needed—the joy that accompanies us through difficulties along the Advent journey. Joy grows as we go out to meet the One who is coming. Let us learn to live in His presence, with the capacity to truly see. Joy opens our eyes, allowing us to see the Lord’s presence amid difficulties. Let us learn to read the signs of joy, so that we do not sink into discouragement. The Lord says: look at the signs—not an excessive craving for external signs, which would only lead us into the negativity that surrounds us.

“Joy precedes reality; it is not reality that precedes joy,” Bishop Piazza stated. It is necessary, he continued, to look at how the Lord has already led us thus far, with the joy of seeing Him arrive, as when we await a guest in our home, eager to welcome him well. Therefore, we must change our perspective: joy precedes life. If we have this joy in our hearts, we can also face life’s difficulties.

Bishop Piazza concluded: “I wish that the Lord may enter into each of you—not into things. Let us walk in the joy of the Lord, even with tears in our eyes because of life’s difficulties.”

Floral Tribute

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Constantinian Knights, Dames, and Postulants presented a floral tribute to their patroness, Our Lady the Liberator.

Luncheon

As is traditional, the celebration continued with a convivial luncheon and the exchange of Christmas greetings at the restaurant “Il Molino,” located beneath the Papal Palace. The guest of honour was the Bishop Emeritus of Viterbo, His Excellency the Most Reverend Lino Fumagalli, Chaplain Grand Cross of Merit of the Constantinian Order. At the beginning, he imparted the blessing of the table and, before departing, wished everyone joy in their hearts—not because things always go well, but because the Lord is present.

On this occasion, the Delegate thanked all the confrères and consoeurs for their strong participation in the traditional pre-Christmas gathering. He also expressed special thanks to the Chaplain, Father Stefano Trio “who has accompanied us spiritually with great generosity.”

The photographs above and below were  provided by Knight Gennaro Vernillo of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation, photographer of the Press Office of the Order’s Royal Commission for Italy.