28th December 2023
Members of our Order attended the Vespers and Mass on the end of the Quarantore, the Forty Hours’ Devotion, held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta.
The vespers were presided by the Prior Rev. Alex Scerri O.Carm, whereas the mass was celebrated by the Mijister Provincial Rev. Joe Saliba O.Carm.
20.12.2023
A representation of the Council of the Lieutenancy of Malta, led by the Lieutenant Amb. Roberto Buontempo, were cordially invited to exchange Christmas Greetings with His Grace Mgr. Charles Scicluna, Grand Prior and Archbishop of Malta at the Archbishop’s Palace in Valletta.
Council members accompanying the Lieutenant, were the newly appointed Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, Comm. Chris Busuttil Delbridge and Comm. Michael Pace Ross respectively, together with the Secretary Dame Amy Sciberras and the Councillor in charge of Dame Affairs, Dame Daphne Fenech.
Credits Ian Noel Pace
27-29.11.2023
2023 CCEE – Consilium Conferentiarum Episcoporum Europae – Plenary Assembly: members of our Order, led by the Lieutenant Amb. Roberto Buontempo, participated, along with members of SMOM, at the inaugural Mass held at the Co-Cathedral of St John’s, Valletta, presided by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech. Among the co-celebrants were a number of cardinals and bishops, in particular our Grand Prior Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.
On Wednesday our Lieutenancy had the rare honour of hosting around 40 high ranking Prelates between Cardinals and Bishops, for a short visit at our Ecclesiastical Seat of Ta’ Doni in Rabat, Malta. This was made possible through the intervention of our Lay MC Comm Michael Pace Ross, Vice Chancellor Designate.
Of particular mention was the participation of SMOM Grand Commander Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau.
Photo credits: Ian Noel Pace
19/11/2023
Città Senglea
Città Vittoriosa
To conclude the Investiture celebrations, a thanksgiving Mass, organised by Archpriest Rev Can Robin Camilleri, was held at the Basilica of Maria Bambina in Senglea. It was presided by the Bishop of Ozieri Mons Corrado Melis, in the presence of the host of these events, the Lieutenant for Malta Amb Roberto Buontempo and the Lieutenants of Italia Centrale Anna Maria Munzi Iacoboni, Italia Sardinia Marco Cantori and Italia Sicilia Maurizio Russo, together with members, families and friends.
At the end of the Mass, the dignitaries, together with the delegation of Sardinia and other Maltese members and their families, made history when they crossed from Senglea to Vittoriosa on the famous ‘barklori boats’. 12 boats were used for this special occasion. Those making the trip, could experience the majestic grand harbour of Valletta.
A reception was held afterwards at the recently restored Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa, with the assistance of Heritage Malta.
Photo Credits David Mercieca
Members and Postulants from our Lieutenancy attended a very well organised Lenten Retreat at the Oratory of Christ the Redeemer in Senglea. This was followed by lunch at the Senglea Marina.
The event was organised by the Spirituality Commission, led by Rev Can Dr Kt Nicholas Doublet, who together with the Archpriest of the Senglea Basilica, Rev Kt Robin Camilleri, made it possible to have a truly memorable experience.
The excellent Lenten reflection and Mass that followed were presided by Mons Kt Comm Paul Carmel Vella, Rector of St John’s Co-Cathedral.
Our Order took part in a Solemn Mass presided by Archbishop Emeritus Mons George Frendo, OP and a pilgrimage around the streets of Vittoriosa.
His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by the Cardinal Grand Master Fernando Filoni, on the 25th January 2023.
A delegation led by H.E. the Lieutenant Roberto Buontempo, composed of members of the Council of the Maltese Lieutenancy was present for this historical event, which was held at the Order’s seat Palazzo della Rovere, located a few meters away from St Peter’s Square in Rome. This historical palazzo predates Saint Peter’s Basilica by more than five centuries.
Upon arrival to Rome the Council visited the television studios of the news agency Rome Reports. This was followed by an invitation to Palazzo del Rovere where His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order by Grand Master Ferdinando Filoni. (See previous post).
On Wednesday the group attended the Pope’s General audience and later visited the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops on invitation of His Eminence Grech. Later in the day evening the group attended the 56th week of prayer for Christian unity inside the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
On the final day the Council members started the morning with an early mass and reflection inside the Clementine Chapel located within the underground necropolitan grottoes and Papal crypts of St Peter’s Basilica where Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech and concelebrated by Rev. Can. Knight Robin Camilleri.
A representation of our Order led by the Lieutenant, Roberto Buontempo, participated during a Mass presided by our Grand Prior and Archbishop of Malta, Mons Charles J. Scicluna, celebrating the feast of the Conversion of St Paul at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mdina.
This was made possible after an invitation by the Archpriest of Mdina, Mons Mario Tong.
A most pleasant New Year’s activity organised by the Gozitan Members of the Lieutenancy of Malta was held in Gozo at the Stella Maris Retreat House in Zebbug, in honour of our Lieutenant Roberto Buontempo and his wife Marie-Josette.
The day started with a Holy Mass concelebrated by three of our ecclesiastical members Mgr Lawrence Sciberras, Mgr Dr Joseph Zammit and Can. John Muscat.
Fr Norbert Bonavia MSSP, organized a tour of the convent followed by a welcome cocktail and lunch prepared by Chev. Joe Bajada.
A special mention goes to Comm. Euchar Mizzi, who is in charge of Gozo Affairs and was the driving force behind this event. Practically all members and postulants hailing from the island, attended, making it a first!
