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
Special mass celebrated on occasion of the Lenten period
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.
Senglea Basilica Centenary 1921-2021
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.
Special Christmas Mass Celebration – H.E. Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President MASMOM, Honoured by EOHSJ.
On Friday 18th December, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem organised a Special Christmas Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, celebrated by His Grace Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of our Lieutenancy in the presence of H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant.
The event was well attended by numerous members of the Council, members of the Order, postulants and family members.
Special guests of the evening were H.E. the Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and his wife Ms. Enyd de Petri Testaferrata Pisani.
Following the Holy Mass, His Grace the Grand Prior presented H.E. de Petri Testaferrata the Gold Cross of Merit, a most prestigious and well deserved award for his invaluable contribution towards the development of a respectful and synergistic relationship between our two Orders.
All necessary safety protocols were observed by all throughout the event.
H.E. The Lieutenant Honoured by SMOM
A significant and honourable gesture of the growing close relationship between the two historic Orders within the Catholic Church happened on Saturday 12th December 2020 in Malta.
His Excellency the Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata (President MASMOM) presented the prestigious Cross of Commander of the Order pro Merito Melitensi to His Excellency Roberto Buontempo (Lieutenant EOHSJ Malta), in the presence of His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and a distinct congregation.
Accompanying the Lieutenant were the Chancellor and Secretary of the Maltese Lieutenancy, Comm. Dr Ruben Depasquale and Chev. Christopher Busuttil Delbridge respectively.
Thanksgiving Mass – His Eminence Mgr. Mario Grech
Wednesday 9th December 2020
In a joint participation, the two recognised chivalric orders, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), were present at the thanksgiving mass of His Eminence Cardinal Mgr. Mario Grech, only the third Maltese Cardinal ever.
Joining His Excellency Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta was another Knight and two Dames from the Order, one being the only Gozitan Dame, in honour of the birthplace of His Eminence.
The Grand Prior of our Order, Archbishop H.E. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, and Knight Grand Officer Auxiliary Bishop H.E. Mgr. Joseph Gale Curmi, were among the concelebrants.
Other members of the Order were the Administrative Secretary of the Curia in Malta as well as the official photographer of His Grace the Archbishop, among others.
The strong Christian message of His Eminence during his interventions struck a chord with all present. A very unique painting of an expectant Mary Mother of God was presented by Archbishop Scicluna to His Eminence Cardinal Grech at the end of the ceremony bringing to a close an impeccably organised thanksgiving mass.
May His Eminence always keep Malta and Gozo in his prayers as we surely will keep him.
Investiture 2020
With the blessing and approval of His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Fernando Filoni, the Vigil at Arms and Investiture Ceremonies of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were held on the 6th & 7th November 2020 at the Collegiate Basilica of St. Helen, Birkirkara, and St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, respectively in the presence of our Lieutenant, H.E. Roberto Buontempo.
The Vigil at Arms was presided by H.E. Kt. Gr. Off. Mons. Joseph Galea Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of Malta.
We were also honoured and blessed by the presence of His Grace Mons. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of the Maltese Lieutenancy, who, for the first time, presided over the Investiture ceremony. H.E. Mons. Alessandro D’Errico, Apostolic Nuncio, and H.E. Mons. Thomas Halim Habib, Bishop-Elect of Sohag (Egypt), concelebrated.
This year’s Vigil and Investiture ceremonies were historical events on other fronts:
These were the first, and God Willing the last, to be held during a global viral pandemic with all the restrictions and precautions this has brought about.
More importantly for our Lieutenancy however, this year saw the largest number ever of new Dames and Knights being invested, namely 4 Dames, 8 Knights and 1 Ecclesiastical Knight, bringing the total number of members to a humbling 75.
We would like to thank all those who participated and who, notwithstanding the ongoing difficulties, made these events so solemnly magnificent.
His Eminence Mons. Mario Grech Appointed Cardinal
H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, together with the Council and all members of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem would like to congratulate His Eminence Mons. Mario Grech on his nomination to the College of Cardinals. We assure Mons. Grech of our prayers. May God Bless him and keep him.
New Patriarch of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, together with the Council and all members of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is overjoyed to hear the news that His Beatitude Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa has been appointed Patriarch of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Grand Prior of our beloved Order. We wish His Beatitude all the very best in his new roles. May the Lord guide him through his demanding appointments.
Santa Maria Ta’ Doni Chapel in Rabat transferred to the Maltese Lieutenancy of the EOHSJ
The 4th June 2020 marks a historical day for the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. On this day the Maltese Lieutenancy took custody of the historical chapel of Ta’ Doni in the Parish of Rabat, Malta. This would not have been possible without the support of His Grace Mons Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior, who granted the Chapel to the Lieutenancy in response to a request made by H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta.
The original Ta’ Doni Chapel was built in the 16th century and was dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Doni means gifts in Maltese. The current chapel was rebuilt in the 17th century under the rule of the 18th Grand Master of the Order of St John, Nicholas Cottoner.
The Lieutenancy of Malta plans to make full use of the Chapel by organising religious functions for its members and for the public in general.
