On Wednesday, 8 July, the Deputy Delegate for Sicily, Noble Antonio di Janni, delivered various essential supplies for the children residing at the Casa del Sorriso in Monreale. These supplies were donated by H.R.H. Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria, who visited the facility a few years ago. The Princess has remained deeply fond of the Casa del Sorriso and intends to return to visit Father Francesco, the director of the facility, and the children living there.

On Friday, 10 July, the Castelvetrano branch of the Italian Association for Spastic Persons (AIAS), a Third Sector organisation that has been working for over forty years in the Belice Valley to promote the rehabilitation, care and social inclusion of people with disabilities, hosted a ceremony at its headquarters to unveil a bronze bust dedicated to the Centre’s co-founder, Elio Zuccarello.
Dr Elio Zuccarello, Commander of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, who passed away in 2023, was a co-founder, benefactor and visionary. He strongly supported the establishment and development of the Centre, which, thanks to the commitment and professionalism of its staff and the therapies it provides, works every day to improve the health and quality of life of people with disabilities.
His passion for horse riding and his concern for the less fortunate led him to promote hippotherapy for young people with disabilities, a form of therapy that provides significant physical, psychological and social benefits.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Castelvetrano, various civil and religious authorities, law enforcement representatives, service clubs, members of the Italian Red Cross Volunteer Nurses Corps, representatives of chivalric orders, including the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the Constantinian Order of Saint George, as well as numerous local families.
During the welcoming address, the Centre’s co-founder and long-standing president, Dr Angela Puleo, expressed her gratitude for the presence and participation of the Constantinian Knights in an initiative dedicated to a fellow member of the Order.
In his address, the Mayor of Castelvetrano, Attorney Giovanni Lentini, recalled Dr Zuccarello’s commitment, which he had personally supported during his own tenure as Municipal Councillor for Urban Planning, when he authorised the construction of the Centre, which today provides essential services throughout the Belice Valley.
The Deputy Delegate, Antonio di Janni, recalled his bond of fraternal friendship with Elio Zuccarello and highlighted the charitable commitment of the Order, which had donated several wheelchairs to the AIAS centre in Castelvetrano. He also recalled the official visit to the Centre by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grand Prefect of the Order.
Also in attendance was His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Angelo Giurdanella, Bishop of Mazara del Vallo and Constantinian Knight Grand Cross of Ecclesiastical Grace, who, in his address, emphasised the value of memory as a source of inspiration and an example for the future.
The Constantinian Order of Saint George was represented by a delegation comprising Commander Erasmo Miceli, Commander Baldassare Cacioppo, both members of the AIAS Centre, Commander Antonino Patti and Knight Officer Fabrizio Santoro, led by the Deputy Delegate, Knight Grand Cross Noble Antonio di Janni.
Following the unveiling of the bronze bust and the blessing imparted by Bishop Monsignor Angelo Giurdanella, the guests visited the Centre’s facilities and stables. The day concluded with a reception.

The Sicily Delegation donated a defibrillator to the Benedictine Abbey of St Martin of the Scales and its museum complex. On the occasion of the celebrations in honour of Saint Benedict, at the conclusion of a Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Vincenzo Manzella, Deputy Delegate Antonio di Janni presented the Most Reverend Father Abbot Dom Vittorio Rizzone, Constantinian Knight Grand Cross of Ecclesiastical Grace, with a defibrillator for the Abbey and its museum complex, which welcomes numerous visitors and tourists.
This donation forms part of the “Cardioprotected Cities” Project.
The Abbot expressed his gratitude to the Constantinian Order, which, in addition to donating the defibrillator, also provides monthly donations of essential supplies for early childhood care, intended for children from families in need assisted by the Benedictine Caritas.
At the conclusion of the religious ceremony, the Deputy Delegate presented His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Manzella with a medal of the Sicily Delegation.