THE ITALIAN ROYAL FAMILY

New Zealand Tablet, 12 August 1915, Page 19

THE ITALIAN ROYAL FAMILY

In the Church of the Sudario, Rome, on May 30 (writes a Rome correspondent), all the members of the Royal Family attended a solemn function held to implore the grace of a safe and victorious return for King Victor Emmanuel 111. from the front. Among those present were Queen Helena, Queen Margherita, the three royal princesses, the Heir-Apparent to the Throne. Prince Umberto, the Duke of Genoa, whom his nephew King Victor Emmanuel' appointed Regent before setting out to the Military Headquarters, and a brilliant gathering of the dignitaries of the Court. Mass was celebrated by Mgr. Beccaria, senior chaplain of the court, assisted by two of the royal chaplains, Mgr. Domenico Tizi being master of ceremonies. The Litany of the Saints was intoned by a choir selected from the basilicas of Rome. The choir then rendered Psalm ix., ' Exaudiat te Dominus in die Tribulationis.' At the close of the ceremony, while the members of the Royal Family and all others present remained on their knees, a touching prayer of his own composition was read by the senior court chaplain. It invoked the blessing of God upon the Italian Army, King Victor Emmanuel, his Consort, the Dowager Queen, the "royal children, and the people of Italy.