Archbishop’s Palace, Valletta.
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.
photos by Ronald Falzon and Ivan Saliba.
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.
Lent is a time of renewal, Metanoia (change of heart), a time of reflection by the religious practices of Prayer, Fasting and Works of Charity.
Ever heard of Metanoia? No? We invite you to read this beautiful Lenten Reflection
On Wednesday 10th March 2021 our Lieutenancy was invited to a special mass celebrated on occasion of the Lenten period in the presence of the miraculous effigy of Christ the Redeemer. Mass was celebrated by the Archpriest of Senglea’s Basilica and postulant Can Rev. Robin Camilleri in the presence of the Lieutenant Roberto Buontempo, council and other members and postulants of the Lieutenancy. We have joined in prayer to the Lord through the intercession of Our Lady for help to face the current COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences.Mass was splendidly animated by renowned harpist and postulants Lydia Buttigieg and leading Soprano Rosabelle Bianchi.
This was the last Mass service allowed to the congregation before more restrictions were unveiled. All safety precautions and guidelines were followed.
The 3rd of January 2021 marked the first centenary since the Senglea parish church was elevated to a Basilica and also the coronation of the titular statue known as Maria Bambina, during the same year of 1921. A Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Grand Prior H.G. Mons Charles Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta in the presence of the President of the Republic, H.E. Dr George Vella. The council of the Maltese Lieutenancy was invited to take part in appreciation for the help extended to a number of families from Senglea during the pandemic lock down last year, thus marking this occasion as the Lieutenancy’s first activity for 2021.
At the end of the Pontifical, Roberto Buontempo, the Lieutenant, donated to the Collegiate Chapter an album with original photos dating from 1921, passed on to him by his grandfather the late artist painter Prof Giuseppe Briffa, who was the artist that painted the Dome of the same Basilica (destroyed during a 1941 blitz). Furthermore, during his speech, the Lieutenant informed the congregation that the next Vigil of Investiture earmarked to take place in November 2021, will be held for the first time at the Senglea Basilica.
On the 17th August 2019, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attended a Solemn Translation with the relic of St. Helen followed by Vespers, as part of the celebration of the Feast of St. Helen. This occasion took place at the Collegial Basilica of St. Helen in Birkirkara in the presence of H.E. Roberto Buontempo our Lieutenant and H.E. Dr. George Vella President of the Republic of Malta.
EOHSJ Malta would like to thank Mr. Ronald Falzon and Mr. Ivan Saliba for providing us with photos of this beautiful occasion.
On Monday 24th June, our Lieutenant, His Excellency Roberto Buontempo, attended a Pontifical Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral followed by the Investiture Ceremony of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, having been kindly invited to attend by H.E. The Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President SMOM (Malta).
Mgr. Scicluna has been admitted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem on the 10th of December 2014 in the grade of Ecclesiastical Knight Commander with Star. A reception in his honour was held on Saturday 10th January 2015. H.E The Lieutenant Eric Fenech Pace and other members of the Order of the Maltese Lieutenancy were present for this event.
