Wednesday 12th February @ 19:00

Dr Charles Gauci, the first Chief Herald of Malta and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem will be delivering a public lecture on the fascinating subject of heraldry and nobility in Malta. History lovers will enjoy learning about the reasons for the introduction of titles in Malta, their origins and the status of the nobility today. 

This lecture is being held under the auspices of the Lieutenancy of Malta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre whose mission is to protect and support Christianity in the Holy Land. The lecture is also being supported by the University of Malta. 

The lecture is being held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 12th February at the Aula Prima of the University Campus in Valletta. Entrance is both from St. Paul Street and from Merchants Street. 

Dr Charles Gauci will be happy to sign copies of his latest book “The Peerage and Knightage In Malta” which will be for sale at the end of the lecture. 

A donation of €10.00 towards the Order’s projects in the Holy Land will be collected at the door.

To book, you may send an email eohsj.malta@gmail.com or call on 99424521 

On 16 January 2020, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the new Grand Master of the Order, was officially welcomed to Palazzo della Rovere, the Rome headquarters of the Grand Magisterium, during a hand-over ceremony in which his predecessor Cardinal Edwin O’Brien also participated.

On Thursday 19th December, following an invitation received by the Lieutenant, a delegation composed of HE Kt. Gr. Off. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant; Chev. Dr. Ruben Depasquale, Chancellor; Chev. Christopher Busuttil Delbridge, Secretary; and Chev. Michael Pace Ross, Lay Master of Ceremonies, exchanged Christmas greetings with His Grace Mgr. Kt. Gr. Off. Charles J. Scicluna Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of the Maltese Lieutenancy and His Excellency Mgr. Kt. Gr. Off. Joseph Galea-Curmi Auxiliary Bishop of Malta at the Archbishop’s Palace in Valletta.

On Thursday 12th December 2019, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem held its Annual Christmas Gathering. Thanks to the benevolence of our Grand Prior, His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, this event took place at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana. Mass at the Curia Chapel was followed by a reception in the Refectory. This event was well attended by members and postulants alike along with their families. All proceeds from this event will go to the project being supported by the Maltese Lieutenancy in the Holy Land.

By decision of the Holy Father, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni has been appointed Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre starting this December 8 2019, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

We publish below the official communiqué of His Eminence Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order since 2012, who concludes his mandate a few months after reaching the age of 80.

“It is with complete acceptance and appreciation that I welcome the decision of Pope Francis to replace me as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. I am especially pleased that His Holiness has appointed His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni as my successor.

I have been privileged well beyond the time of my letter of resignation, submitted over five years ago. Throughout my more than eight years as Grand Master, my personal faith and love of our Church have deepened as I have witnessed our members’ commitment to the goals of our Order, expressed in different cultures and languages, all profoundly Catholic!

I am most grateful to the two Governors General with whom I have served, Their Excellencies, Professor Agostino Borromeo and Ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone. Our collaborators in the Grand Magisterium and the daily, dedicated service of our office staff largely account for the steady growth of our Order. Their commitment to our lieutenancies and to the mission of the Latin Patriarchate has been unwavering.

Finally, I welcome His Eminence, Cardinal Filoni as Our Grand Master. His long and broad pastoral and administrative experience in service to the Universal Church will be precious assets as he leads our Order into the future. I offer him my full and fraternal support as I beg the continued intercession of Our Lady of Palestine.”

[Write-up reproduced from the Official EOHSJ Grand Magisterium website:

http://www.oessh.va/content/ordineequestresantosepolcro/en/gran-magistero/il-gran-magistero/news-dal-gran-magistero/benvenuto-al-nuovo-gran-maestro.html]

On Friday 1st November, All Saints Day, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attended a Pontifical Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.  Mass was celebrated by His Grace Mons. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of our Order. 

A number of members and postulants of the Order attended along with H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant.  Members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, including their Ambassador to Malta,  were also present. 

On Sunday 15th September members of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attended a procession followed by Holy Mass held at St. Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Giezu) Church in Valletta on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

On Sunday 8th September members of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, together with H. E. Knight Grand Officer Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant, attended the Capitular Mass held at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lady, Mother of the Redeemer and Queen of Victories.

This important occasion was also very well attended by our confreres and consoeurs from the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta.

On the 13th August 2019, our Lieutenant H.E. Roberto Buontempo, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Josette Buontempo, attended an Oratory, entitled ‘Sant’ Elena Imperatriċi Awgusta: 1919-2019′, organised by the St. Helen Musical Society, as part of the centenary celebrations since its founding. The Oratory took place at St. Helen’s Basilica in Birkirkara under the patronage of H.E. the Lieutenant.