Francesco II Requiem Masses and Commemorations by the SMOCSG, 1° Reggimento Re and 2° Reggimento Regina, and Movimento Neoborbonico

Members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George
Photos courtesy of Mirko Speranza and the Fondazione Francesco II delle Due Sicilie

After the National Feast day and Christmas celebrations, the Two Sicilies and SMOSCG community marks annually the death of the late King Francis II of the Two Sicilies, former Grand Master of the SMOSCG, with a series of requiem masses and honor guard ceremonies in Naples, the former capital, as well as in cities through the former Kingdom and abroad.

Requiem Mass was also celebrated
in the Parish of the Madonna del
Carmine in Conversano, Bari

On 27 December 2021 M. Rev. Padre Guardiano Vincenzo Palumbo celebrated Holy Mass in remembrance of Servant of God Francesco II di Borbone delle Due Sicilie with a Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George in the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples, while another mass was likewise celebrated in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria at the behest of the Movimento Neoborbonico and the Fondazione Il Giglio.

During the solemn occasion in Santa Chiara, the SMOCSG Naples Delegate Dama Commendatore Marchesa Federica De Gregorio Cattaneo presented the Fondazione Francesco II with a Gold Medal of recognition which HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Grand Master of the SMOCSG bestowed upon the Foundation represented by President Giuseppe Cerchia, Vice President Don Luciano Rotolo, Spiritual Director Luigi De Filippo, Treasurer Gaspare Arpaio, and Secretary General Umberto Crescenzi and Nob. Cav. Giovanni Grimaldi. The Foundation accepted also accepted honors on behalf of Rev. Don Francesco Scapin, the Archpriest of the Collegiata di S. Maria Assunta in Arco (Trent, where the King died) and Dama Prof. Gallidoro.

During the commemorations a gold Benemerenza Medal was bestowed upon Don Massimo Cuofano, founder of the Fondazione Francesco II delle Due Sicilie

Last year HRH Carlo di Borbone issued a motu proprio to bestow upon the Foundation's founder Don Massimo Cuofano the Gold Benemerenza Medal for his vision and ceaseless efforts to promote the cause for canonization of Francis II. Also present were the Honor Guard of the Royal Tombs, the Foundation's Campania Delegate Cav. Riccardo Spadafora and Trentino Delegate Dr. Marco Ascione (also representative at the Chiesa della Vittoria), and the men of the 1° Reggimento Re.

Members of the 1° Reggimento Re served as honor guard at the royal tombs

The Two Sicilies community thanks the men and women of the SMOCSG, the Foundation and the 1° and 2° Reggimento for their tireless efforts in promoting the cause for the late King's beatification and canonization and for the generous charitable efforts to those in need all year round in the spirit of the late King's well-known kindness, which he and the late Queen continued to practice even from their exile. The community also thanks the members of the Royal Regiments who carry out at their own expense numerous commemorations and who serve as honor guards in Naples and other cities.

~ Cav. Charles Sant’Elia, December 31, Feast of San Silvestro I