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.

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!

The Council of the Maltese Lieutenancy led by Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, Archbishop Mgr Savio Hon Tai-Fai.

The delegation discussed in detail the work of the Order and offered the Nunciature with all the support it would need to carry out its mission.

The Council of the Maltese Lieutenancy led by Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, Archbishop Mgr Savio Hon Tai-Fai.

The delegation discussed in detail the work of the Order and offered the Nunciature with all the support it would need to carry out its mission.

Our Order attended the Vespers and Mass on the end of the Quarantore, the Forty Hours’ Devotion inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta.

The vespers were celebrated by the Prior Rev. Alex Scerri O.Carm, the mass was celebrated by the Provincial Rev. Joe Saliba O.Carm.