The awarding ceremony of the diplomas of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and of the Order of Merit of Savoy took place on Saturday 29th September at the “Benedict XVI” Hall of the Pontifical Lateran University and saw the participation of numerous members together with their families and friends.
At the sound of the Royal March, H.R.H. Prince Vittorio Emanuele, Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, with TT.RR.HH. the Princes of Piedmont and Venice Emanuele Filiberto and Clotilde and H.R.H. Princess Maria Pia entered the hall. TT.RR.HH. Prince Serge and princesses Hélène and Eleonora of Yugoslavia, the Right Reverend Monsignor Paolo De Nicolò, Grand Prior and H.E. the Grand Chancellor Johannes Theo Niederhauser were also present.
At the end of the award ceremony H.R.H. Prince Emanuele Filiberto presided over the General Assembly of A.I.C.O.D.S. during which a video summarizing the charity work supported during the last year was shown.
On the evening of Saturday 29th September, the members and their families gathered again for the traditional gala dinner within the magnificent setting of Palazzo Colonna. In addition to the above-mentioned RR.HH., also H.R.H. Princess Marina was present.
The proceeds from the gala will serve to finance a significant vocational training project promoted by the Diocese of Ascoli Piceno, whose territories were seriously affected by the devastating earthquake of 2016. During the event, the fundamental contribution of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy for the opening of a polyclinic dedicated to Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy in the so-called “red zone” of Genoa marked by the tragedy of the Morandi bridge was remembered.
On Sunday 30th September the Grand Prior of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, the Right Reverend Mgr Paolo De Nicolò conducted a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Papal Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour in San Giovanni in Laterano. After the end of the Holy Mass, a charity reception with light refreshments was held at the nearby Pontifical Lateran University.
Once again the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy demonstrate their active presence in the world with over 870,000 euros devoted to charitable projects. The goals the Orders have set for themselves are even more significant: new Delegations and Vicariates will be formed; several challenges await us next year with new charity projects.
