Oslo, Tromsø- Norway June 20 to 25

On the invitation of the Magistral Delegate of Norway, Dr Huan Nguyen, our Lieutenant, Ambassador Roberto Buontempo, participated during the Vigil and Investiture ceremonies, organised by the Nordic and Baltic Lieutenancies. The ceremonies were presided by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Other Lieutenants came from Eastern Spain, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Scotland, Northern Italy and the USA Middle Atlantic. Enric Mas, Vice Governor General for Latin America, represented the Governor General and Dr Helene Lund, a member of the Grand Magisterium, attended as the Emeritus Magistral Delegate of Norway.

Ambassador Buontempo, who was accompanied by his spouse Josette, had the opportunity to travel further north to Tromso, where he was received by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Tromso, who happens to be the Prior of the Magistral Delegation of Norway.

Pontifical high Mass presided by His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna at St. John’s CoCathedral, Valletta, Malta.

Present for this event were members of the only two chivalric Orders recognised by the Holy See, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Rhodes and Jerusalem, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Following the Mass, H.E. Marchesino Daniel DePetri Testaferrata, President of the Maltese Association of SMOM, presided over his last investiture after a long and successful tenure. Among the many delegates present were Speaker Emeritus Dr. Michael Frendo, Chairman of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and Christopher Busuttil Delbridge KCHS, Chancellor EOHSJ, who deputised for the Lieutenant H.E. Amb. Roberto Buontempo. This continued to underpin the fraternal unity and mutual respect between the two Orders in Malta.

Photos by Ian Noel Pace – Archdiocese of Malta

Members from the Gozo Delegation participated in the Solemn Translation with the Holy Cross relic, followed by the Vigil Solemn Mass as part of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Fontana. Then, on Sunday, June 16th, the Order participated in the Pontifical Mass presided over by His Lordship, the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr. Anton Teuma, also as part of the same Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Fontana.

Our Order was invited by Rev. Ramon Farrugia OFM, Guardian of the Ta’ Ġieżu Church, Valletta, to participate in the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Patron Saint of the Custodia of the Holy Land. The Mass was celebrated by Father Provincial and Commissioner of the Holy Land, Rev. Kt. Comm. Fr Anthony Chircop OFM.

This year, our long-standing tradition of sponsoring the oil and flowers for St. Anthony’s altar took on special significance. We had the privilege of presenting our standard to St. Anthony, the patron saint of the Franciscans. This standard will now be a permanent fixture next to St. Anthony’s altar at Ta’ Ġieżu Church, symbolizing our devotion and commitment.

This marks our second such presentation, following the placement of our standard at the altar of Christ the Redeemer in Senglea a few years ago.

Our Order was invited by Rev. Can. Knight Robin Camilleri, Archpriest of Senglea’s Basilica, to participate in the Feast of Christ the Redeemer. Mass was followed by a procession with the miraculous effigy of Christ the Redeemer around the streets of Senglea, during which prayers were recited.

In the year 1813, during a time when Malta was battling a plague outbreak, the inhabitants of Senglea made a solemn promise. They vowed that if their town was spared from the ravages of this deadly epidemic, they would hold a procession with the Statue of Christ the Redeemer annually. Miraculously, their prayers were answered, and their wish was granted. Since then, without fail, this procession has taken place each year as a testament to their gratitude and faith.

Photos: Senglea Parish Church

Our Order participated in the Feast of Corpus Christi at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The Mass was presided over by our Grand Prior, His Grace Archbishop of Malta, Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna. Following the Mass, a solemn procession with the Holy Eucharist took place.