On April 23rd, the day on which Saint George is celebrated, the delegation of Emilia Romagna-Piacenza—of which the valiant knight of Cappadocia, martyred during the time of Emperor Diocletian, is the patron protector—donated to the friars of Santa Maria
di Campagna more than 100 bags (bearing the Order’s logo) containing food products intended for families in difficulty. A gesture of generosity that is part of the association’s activity, which counts among its purposes the support of the community through concrete actions (within a six-month period, this is the third donation carried out by the Piacenza delegation).
The delivery of the aid—among the events on the program of Celebrations for the 500th anniversary of Santa Maria di Campagna organized by the Franciscan Community and the Banca di Piacenza—took place in the Convent Library, in the presence of the entire delegation of knights along with the Superior of the Friars Minor Father Secondo Ballati and the Prior of the Constantinian Order itself Father Stefano Antonelli, who—after imparting the blessing and reading a message from the Grand Prior Card. Renato Raffaele Martino—focused on the important role of the Order in being a voice of dissent, in the proper manner, with respect to dominant ideas, the so-called “single thought” (pensiero unico). A concept echoed by Delegate Corrado Sforza Fogliani: “Canon 212—he observed—obliges Catholics to a comparison of ideas and to dissent from prevailing opinions, except in matters of Faith.
In the same way, as an Order, we must feel it our duty to fight against single thought.’ Advocate Sforza then questioned whether, in the current situation, the Order still makes sense, giving an affirmative answer: ‘First of all, because we go to the aid of those in difficulty, and today’s initiative proves it, and then I believe that at this moment we also have the function of bearing witness to those ideas that no longer find a home in single thought. And to bear witness to those virtues that are now unfortunately rare, such as loyalty, fairness, and respect for the opinions of others. Principles that must influence the life of each of us. This, then, is the main role that we are called to play as the Constantinian Order in the current historical situation.’ The Delegate of Emilia Romagna brought greetings from the Regional Prior Monsignor Gianni Ambrosio (absent due to commitments at the Diocese of Massa), recalled the figure of Monsignor Domenico Ponzini, ‘who as Prior was always deeply dedicated to our Delegation,’ and thanked the Vicar Delegate Pietro Coppelli ‘for having revitalized the Order of Piacenza through his constant commitment. The bags, containing oil, long-life milk, pasta, canned goods, and much more, will be given to families put in financial difficulty by the long health emergency, to which the consequences of the war in Ukraine have been added. ‘The number of people who turn to the Convent on Saturday mornings is growing—emphasized Father Ballati, who thanked the Delegation for the generous gesture—because they struggle to make ends meet and put a meal on the table. Next Saturday we will deliver these precious bags, which will bring some relief to those in difficulty.’ On Thursday, April 28th—again as part of the Celebrations for the 500th anniversary of Santa Maria di Campagna—Dr. Coppelli will give a lecture in the Hall of the Duke on the relationship between the Constantinian Order and Piacenza.
