The annual celebrations, which usually begin in the morning with a sung Mass in honour of Our Lady Virgo Fidelis, were this year held at St Paul’s Church in Coburg.
The event saw a reduced turnout: the severe weather on Sunday, November 16, prevented many regular attendees and numerous guests from Carabinieri and veterans’ associations— many of whom are elderly or in fragile health—from taking part in the Virgo Fidelis festivities as in years past.
The Mass was celebrated by parish priest Father James Puppady and accompanied by the church choir directed by Rosa Oppedisano.
The celebration dates back to 1949, when Pope Pius XII officially proclaimed Mary “Virgo Fidelis”, Patroness of the Carabinieri and assigning her the feast day of November 21.
This date coincides with two other observances: the liturgical feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and the anniversary of the Battle of Culqualber.
That battle, remembered vividly within the Corps, was fought from August 6 to November 21 in the Culqualber Pass in Ethiopia, where Italian forces clashed with the British Commonwealth.
It was a decisive encounter of the East African Campaign, ending with the defeat of the Italian troops led by Colonel Augusto Ugolini and marking the close of a conventional phase of the war.
At the conclusion of the Mass, President Pavan greeted parishioners, members of the association and representatives of other groups in attendance. “Your presence here today has been deeply meaningful and greatly appreciated,” he said.
“I wish to thank my colleagues who support all our social activities throughout the year, and I also extend my thanks to Il Globo for the support it offers to all associations and clubs in our community.”
After Mass, the congregation went to the Veneto Club in Bulleen for their annual general meeting, during which members renewed their registration for the coming year, and a lunch held in The Boardroom.
The Melbourne Section, founded in 1972 under the National Carabinieri Association, carries a long tradition and a significant legacy, having been led over the years by: Captain Francesco Trafficante (1972–73), Marshal Felice Prattico (1973–84), Carabiniere Frank Di Guardi (1984), Marshal Felice Prattico (1984–2005), Carabiniere Antonio Mautone (2005–2019) and Frank Pavan (from 2019 to today).
Former member of the Melbourne Section, Carabiniere Renato Masucci, recalled that the name Carabinieri derives from the carabina, the firearm still used in ceremonial parades.
The Carabinieri Corps was founded on July 13, 1814, by King Vittorio Emanuele I of the Kingdom of Sardinia, through the promulgation of the Regie Patenti establishing the Royal Corps of Carabinieri.
Since 1833, the colours red and blue have formed part of the uniform: blue symbolising the nobility of the institution, military valour, loyalty and justice; red representing audacity, courage and sacrifice.
With roughly 110,000 personnel stationed across Italy and abroad, the Carabinieri serve in military police operations and international missions aimed at combating organised crime.
“To carry out this profession, they risk their lives every single day for the sake of justice—however small. We thank you for everything you do for others,” Masucci concluded.
