On Sunday, 8 November, at the conclusion of the Holy Mass celebrated by Father Leo Pasqua, Rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary of Palermo, the Constantinian Deputy Delegate for Sicily, Antonio di Janni, Knight Grand Cross of Grace, presented Parish Priest Don Massimiliano Purpura with the diploma appointing him an Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
The Deputy Delegate recalled that the Constantinian Order has been present at the Magione since 1783 and that all its rectors and parish priests have belonged to the Order. The Constantinian Delegation supports the Constantinian Basilica of the Magione through both charitable initiatives and artistic restoration projects.
Among the restoration works, particular mention should be made of the contribution towards the restoration of the organ, the recovery of several sacred wooden artefacts and the restoration of a number of paintings.
Don Massimiliano expressed his gratitude for the appointment to the Constantinian Grand Master, H.R.H. Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House.
The fruitful collaboration between the Constantinian Order and the Basilica of the Magione continues, with the shared commitment to assisting those in need and preserving the artistic heritage of this splendid Norman church.
In addition to the Deputy Delegate, those attending the ceremony included Commendatore Claudio Ragusa, Chancellor of the Delegation; Dame Eugenia Ferro; and the newly invested Knight Pasquale D’Anna, who had received his investiture the previous day in Naples