Edward Cardinal Egan Greets Royal Couple of the House of Savoy and Savoy Orders at a Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

(PRWEB) January 6, 2006 -- Edward Cardinal Egan greets Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Emmanuel Philibert and Princess Clotilde of Savoy, at a Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, which culminated the royal couple’s whirlwind two- day visit to New York City. The Prince is the grandson of the last King of Italy, Umberto II, who died in 1983. The Knights and Dames of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and their guests were invited by their confrere, Cavaliere di Gran Croce Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, to participate in the solemn Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, December 11th. Some three-dozen members of the Savoy Orders participated, along with a large number of family and friends. The Cathedral was filled to capacity, with over 3000 attending the Mass.

Before the Mass, His Eminence greeted Their Royal Highnesses Prince Emmanuel Philibert and Princess Clotilde of Savoy and the American Delegate, Cavaliere Di Gran Croce Avv. Carl J. Morelli. Members of the Savoy Orders, including Their Royal Highnesses, participated in the procession to the altar together with the celebrants, other ministers of the altar, and the seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, who were visiting that day.

Members of the Savoy Orders and their guests were seated in a reserved section in the front pews of the Cathedral. His Eminence very graciously recognized and welcomed Their Royal Highnesses and the members of the Savoy Orders from the altar. His Eminence counted himself as a member of the Orders, and praised the charitable work of the Savoy Foundation. At the prayer of the Faithful, His Eminence added a special prayer for the members of the Orders, and for the continued success of their charitable endeavors through the American Foundation of Savoy Orders.    

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders is a tax exempt U.S. charity whose philanthropic work in North American is supported by members of the American Delegation. The Foundation is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Their Royal Highnesses, Savoy Delegate Carl J. Morelli, and Dr. Sergio Pellecchi were invited to bring up the gifts at the offertory.

Following the Mass, His Eminence met with Their Royal Highnesses, Delegate Carl J. Morelli, Dr. Pellecchi and the members of the Savoy Orders in their Church Robes to pose for photographs. The Orders’ participation in the Mass at St. Patrick’s was coordinated by Cavaliere David V. Skoblow. The Mass at the Cathedral seemed a very fitting way to end a splendid weekend of festivities in honor of the Royals visit to New York.

About The American Delegation of Savoy Orders
The American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States and Canada, is part of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, and is among the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals, like those of Royal House of Savoy that has the hereditary right to confer them, date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel IV, Prince of Naples, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. His son, Prince Emmanuel Philibert, is Grand Chancellor of the Savoy Orders.


http://www.savoia.org

Contact:
Mira Zivkovich (212) 366-5409    
Carl J. Morelli (212) 972-1100