London, 29 April 2013. Knights and Dames of the Constantinian Order attended a special mass held on Monday 29 April 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of St Peter’s Italian Church in London’s Clerkenwell. It was concelebrated by the Archbishop of Westminster, His Grace The Most Rev Vincent Nichols.
Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O-Connor, HE Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio, The Most Rev George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, The Rt Rev Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and the Rt Rev Hlib Lonchyna, Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London were among those con-celebrating.
Special messages were read out from HM Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis and the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The Archbishop of Westminster delivered a thought provoking speech on the history of the Church and of the contribution of the
Italian community in London. The longstanding and popular Parish Priest, The Rev Fr Carmelo Di Giovanni also spoke of the great historic moment for his parish and his community and of the great strength of his community today.
Over 500 people attended the mass including senior civic, parliamentary, diplomatic, religious and charitable personalities. A dinner was held afterwards at the Church Hall.
The Constantinian Order, as an Order of Knighthood fully recognised by decree of the President and Government of the Italian Republic, invited knights and dames of the British and Irish delegation to form part of the procession wearing their mantle capes. The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey read the bidding prayers.
Among those attending were the Gavyn Arthur, Mr William Jeffcock, Mrs Maureen Jones, The Hon Alexander Brennan, Professor Vincent McBrierty, Mr Leo Simmonds, Mr John Kennedy, Scott MacMillan of Rathdown, Prince Don Cristoforo Rocco di Torrepadula, Mr Andrew Rogers, The Rev Fr Michael Seed, HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, The Hon Mrs Jenny Sinclair, Mr Juan Manuel Uribe and Ms Gilda Velásquez.
For more information on St Peter’s Italian Church please visit its website at www.italianchurch.org.uk