Upon the invitation of Rev. Guardian Fr. Ramon Farrugia OFM, members of Order, and postulants participated in the procession and Mass celebrating the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Ta’ Ġieżu Church, Valletta.
The Mass was presided by Rev. Provincial Fr. Anthony Chircop.
On the invitation of H.E. Dr Donata Krethlow-Benziger, Lieutenant for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Maltese Lieutenancy participated through its Vice Chancellor Comm. Michael Pace Ross, who was representing Ambassador Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta.
The Governor General Ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, was also in attendance. Grand Prior H.E. Charles Morerod, Bishop of Lausanne and Fribourg, presided the ceremonies in the presence of numerous authorities and representatives of other European and American Lieutenancies.
Comm. Pace Ross, was accompanied by his spouse Lucienne, a Postulant of the Order.
We were honoured to be invited by the Franciscan Order to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of the Custodia of the Holy Land at Ta’ Ġieżu Church, Valletta. Led by Lieutenant Roberto Buontempo, our members joined the celebrations.
The function was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Anthony Chircop, OFM. Bread was blessed during the Mass and distributed among all those present.
Following the Mass, we presented the oil lamp to the Minister Provincial. Our Lieutenancy will be funding the oil and flowers for the altar dedicated to St. Anthony of Padova for another 12 months. This commitment reflects our dedication to upholding the traditions and spirituality associated with this revered Saint.
Our Order proudly participated in the Feast of Corpus Christi at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The Mass, presided by our Grand Prior, His Grace Archbishop of Malta, Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, was followed by a solemn procession with the Holy Eucharist.
Our Lieutenancy participated in the feast of Corpus Christi at the Parish Church in Ghasri, Gozo. The mass was followed by a procession with the Holy Eucharist. Our members were led by the delegate for Gozo, Comm. Euchar Mizzi.
The Solemn Investiture of 16 Knights and Dames took place in the magnificent Co-Cathedral of St John in Valletta.
Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior Mons. Charles J. Scicluna presided the rituals. He was assisted by the Apostolic Nuncio to Malta Mons Hon Tai Fai and the Bishop of Ozieri in Sardinia, Mons Corrado Melis.
Led by the Lieutenant for Malta, Amb Roberto Buontempo, we had the honour of hosting all the Italian language Lieutenants, their Excellencies Giovanni Battista Rossi, Marco Cantori, Ferdinando Parente, Maurizio Russo, Giuseppe Michele Marrani, Angelo Domenico Dell’Oro and Anna Maria Munzi Iacoboni, together with that of Switzerland, Donata Krethlow-Benziger.
After the Investiture and Mass that followed, those present gathered together for a formal lunch at the superb grand ballroom of the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian’s.
Among the 16 candidates, for the first time ever, three came from Sardinia.
A delegation composed of council members Comm. Raymond Mercieca, Comm. Michael Pace Ross and Dame Valentina Lupo accompanied H.E Roberto Buontempo to exchange Christmas greetings with His Grace Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna l, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of the Maltese Lieutenancy and His Excellency Mgr. Joseph Galea-Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop of Malta.
The Maltese Lieutenancy held a Christmas Mass at Saint Mark’s Church, Rabat, organised by the Spiritual commission and celebrated by one of our ecclesiastical members Rev. Can. Chev. Robin Camilleri. Following mass, a reception was held at the Mdina Cathedral Museum with the kind support of Mgr. Edgar Vella. On entering the museum the attendees were invited to a private tour conducted by Rev. Can. Chev. Nicholas Doublet. The event was well attended by numerous members of the Council, members of the Order, postulants and family members.
Members of our Council led by the Lieutenant Roberto Buontempo, were invited for the Solemn Translation with the relic of Saint Helen followed by Vespers at the Collegiate Basilica of Birkirkara as part of the celebration of the Feast dedicated to Saint Helen.
On Sunday 27 June, the Lieutenant together with the Chancellor Ray Cassar, received Bishop Athanasie together with members of the Romanian Community in Malta, at the Lieutenancy’s Church of Santa Maria Ta’ Doni in Rabat, Malta where the Order’s mission and work were discussed.
At the end of the meeting the Lieutenant presented Bishop Athanasie with Grand Master Cardinal Filoni’s book on the spirituality of the knights and dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. A number of copies were presented to the Parish Priest of the Romanian Orthodox Community in Malta, Fr George Alexandru Popescu, for use by members of the Community.