Official Premises for the Maltese Lieutenancy

It is with immense pride and pleasure that we announce what marks  a very important milestone in the history our Order.  

The Official Premises of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the EOHSJ in Merchants Street, Valletta.

For the first time in its history, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem now has its Official Premises in the heart of our Capital City, Valletta.

This was only possible with the help of our beloved Grand Prior, His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Archbishop Scicluna signed the agreement granting us use of the property earlier this week on the 15th May 2019, which coincidentally happened to be his birthday, in the presence of H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta, and Chev. Michael Pace Ross, Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta, also a member of our Order.

H.E. Roberto Buontempo is seen here presenting His Grace with a small gift, a hand painted crest of our Order, to commemorate this occasion.

Investiture 2019

The Vigil at Arms and Investiture Ceremonies of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were held on the 10th & 11th May 2019 respectively in the presence of our Lieutenant, H.E. Roberto Buontempo.

We were honoured by the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order, this being his 3rd visit to Malta on the occasion of our last three consecutive investitures.

Both occasions were also attended by Representatives of other Lieutenancies including:

  • H.E. Ing. Maurizio Russo KGCHS – Lieutenant of Sicily
  • Comm. John McDermott KGCHS – representing the Lieutenant of England & Wales
  • Comm. David Tabarracci KCHS – Delegate of Lucca, Lieutenancy of Central Apennine Italy
  • Comm. Tiago Teles de Abreu KCHS – representing the Lieutenant of Portugal
Knights and Dame to be invested seen here during the Vigil Ceremony

The Vigil at Arms Ceremony

The Vigil at Arms Ceremony was held on Friday 10th May 2019 at the St. Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Ġieżu) Church, Valletta.  This was presided by His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Paul Cremona, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta and Grand Prior ad Honorem of the Maltese Lieutenancy.

This ceremony served as a time of solemn prayer for the Knights, Dame and Clergy to be invested, as well as for all members of the Order, in preparation for the Investiture.

On this occasion the following promotions were conferred:

  • To Commander with Star, Commander Ray Cassar
  • To Commander with Star, Commander Charles Mifsud
  • To Commander, Knight Glen Farrugia
  • To Commander, Knight Marino Egisto Paolucci
  • To Commander, Knight Frederick Schembri
  • To Commander, Knight George Scicluna
  • To Dame Commander with Star, Dame Commander Elizabeth Olivieri

and the following awards were given:

  • Chev. Raymond Zammit – Bronze Palm of Jerusalem
  • Dame Marianne Zammit – Bronze Palm of Jerusalem
  • Mrs. Mariella Fenech Pace – Cross of Merit of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
  • Mrs. Rosanne Licari – Cross of Merit of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

The ceremony was followed by a reception at Palazzo Messina in Valletta.

The Investiture Ceremony

His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Edwin Frederick O’Brien

The Investiture Ceremony was held on Saturday 11th May 2019 at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.  This was celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Edwin Frederick O’Brien. 

His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Charles J. Scicluna

Major Concelebrants included His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Grand Prior of the Maltese Lieutenancy and His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Paul Cremona, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta and Grand Prior ad Honorem of the Maltese Lieutenancy.

The ceremony was also attended by H.E. The Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta.

H.E. Roberto Buontempo with H.E. The Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata

On this occasion, the following were invested:

  • Knights – Mr. Roger DeGaetano, Mr. Marco Ortica, Mr. Michael Pace Ross
  • Dame – Mrs. Louisa Depasquale
  • Ecc. Knight – Mgr. Paul Carmel Vella, Provost Archpriest of B’Kara, Canon ad honorem of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter
  • Ecc. Knight Grand Officer – His Lordship Mgr. Joseph Galea Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, Titular Bishop of Cebarades

The ceremony was followed by a Gala Dinner held at the Casino Maltese in Valletta.