The Pontifical Mass of St. George, 16th April 2005

The Solemn Pontifical Mass of St. George was celebrated on Saturday April 16th 2005 in the Basilica della Santa Croce al Flaminio in Rome.

The Mass was celebrated by His eminence Cardinal Antonio Innocenti, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice with Collar and Grand Prior Emeritus of our Order. He was assisted by His Excellence Msgr. Custodio Alvim Pereira Archbishop Emeritus of Lourenço Marques and Vice Grand Prior of our Order and by several of our Chaplains, among which our Chef Chaplain for Italy, Father Enrico Bosoni, Grand Cross of Merit, Msgr, Alberto Vallini and others.

HRH the Duchess of Calabria participated to the Mass with her daughter, HRH process Inés and her husband, Marques Michele Carrelli Palombi.

His Excellence Ambassador Jorge Dezcallar, Ambassador of Spain at the Holy See attended the Mass with his wife and with the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy.

The Royal Deputation was represented by Their Excellences the President, Count Enzo Capasso Torre, Count delle Pàstene, Duke Diego Vargas Machuca – also President of the Royal Commission for Italy, Count Alessandro Mariotti Solimani, Prince Francesco Saverio Caracciolo di Vietri, Marques Don Roberto Dentice di Accadia, HSH Prince Maurizio Gonzaga di Vescovato Marques del Vodice and noble Lorenzo de’ Notaristefani.

The attendance to the Solemn Mass was very high; there were well more than one hundred knights in a cape and Most knights and dames were introduced to HRH the Duchess of Calabria.

After the Holy Mass a light lunch was offered at the Royal Academy of Spain and a hundred people attended in the beautiful renaissance palace belonging to the Spanish Embassy.

Marques Michele Carrelli Palombi, HRH Dona Ines de Borbon Dos Sicilias, married Carrelli Palombi, HRH the Duchess of Calabria, Don Juan Carlos Elorza Guinea, Director of the royal Academy, Mrs Elorza, wife of Don Juan Carlo