New York City, October 11, 2004 - On a beautiful autumn Monday Columbus Day morning, a contingent of Savoy Knights that included Gr. Uff.  Dott. Robert LaRocca, Uff. Avv. David Skoblow and Cav. Avv. Roy De Barbieri, took part in the procession of the Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, at the invitation of our confratello, Cav. Gr. Cr. His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, along with representatives from other Orders, dignitaries and military groups of the Italian Government, as well as national and local leaders of the Italian American community.

The Mass, planned and sponsored by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, was part of the day's celebrations. Joining New York Mayor Bloomberg was Amb. Charles A. Gargano, as chair of the Foundation's Board of Governors and representing Governor Pataki, and Vice-President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, GianFranco Fini, accompanied by  two Italian military bands--one being the world-famous rapid-trotting brass band, La Fanfara dei Bersaglieri--and a group of Italian fire fighters.

Other Savoy Orders confreres in attendance were:  Cav. Gr. Cr. H.E. Archbishop Celestine Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations, as well as concelebrant of the Mass; Comm. L'On. Dominic R. Massaro; Comm. Ted H. Jacobsen; Uff. Dott. Joseph V. Scelsa; Uff. Joseph Sciame, National President of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America; Uff. Richard Torrenzano; Cav. Daniel F. Kelly; Cav. Fr. Richard Seagraves and Cav. Robert De Simone.  Cardinal Egan welcomed all in both Italian and English, and used Italian during the Eucharist and in other parts of the service.

The service concluded with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the Italian National Anthem, L'Inno di Mameli.