On Saturday 26 June the Lieutenant for Malta Roberto Buontempo, accompanied by the Secretary Chris Busuttil Delbridge, participated in a service organised by the Romanian Orthodox Community in Malta and presided by Bishop Athanasie from the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. This was held at the Church of St Rocco, Valletta.

On the occasion of the feast of St John the Baptist our Order participated in a Pontifical Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The function was presided by our Grand Prior, His Grace Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta.

Their Excellencies Roberto Buontempo and Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, EOHSJ Lieutenant for Malta and SMOM (Malta) President respectively, led their members during the celebration. Members of the Maltese delegation of the Venerable Order of St John were also present.

Our Lieutenancy was invited to participate in the celebrations for the titular feast of the Heart of Jesus in Fontana, Gozo. On Saturday 19th June members attended the celebration for the Translation of the Relic of the Holy Cross and the First Solemn Vespers. Our members also attended the solemn Pontifical led by His Excellency Monsignor Bishop Anton Teuma, on Sunday 20 June 2021.

In 1264, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of Corpus Christi, a special feast day to recognize and to promote the great gift of the Blessed Sacrament. A year earlier the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena (north of Rome) had happened and confirmed. He commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to compose a Mass and an office for the Liturgy of the Hours honoring the holy Eucharist. St. Thomas Aquinas also composed the beautiful Eucharistic hymns “Panis Angelicus,” “Pange Lingua,” “O Salutaris Hostia” and “Tantum Ergo.” Around the world, brothers and sisters of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem are called every year to partake in the commemoration and celebration of this most generous miracle.

Today, members from our Lieutenancy took part in the commemoration and celebration of this most generous miracle. The mass was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, Mdina and was presided by our Grand Prior and Archbishop of Malta, H.G. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna.

Their Excellencies Roberto Buontempo and Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, EOHSJ Lieutenant for Malta and SMOM (Malta) President respectively, led their members during the celebration.

Photo credit to Chev. Ian Noel Pace