Special Christmas Mass Celebration – H.E. Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President MASMOM, Honoured by EOHSJ.

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His Grace the Grand Prior Presenting the Award to H.E. de Petri Testaferrata.

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.

H.E. Roberto Buontempo

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.

His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna flanked by H.E. de Petri Testaferrrata and Mrs. de Petri Testaferrata Pisani to his left and H.E. Roberto Buontempo on the right.

All necessary safety protocols were observed by all throughout the event.

H.E. The Lieutenant Honoured by SMOM

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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

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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

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The New Knights & Dames of the Order Together With His Grace the Archbishop and Attending Members of our Order

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.

The Magnificent Internal Architecture of St. John’s Co-Cathedral

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.

The New Knights & Dames of the Order Together With His Grace the Archbishop

We would like to thank all those who participated and who, notwithstanding the ongoing difficulties, made these events so solemnly magnificent.

New Patriarch of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

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His Beatitude Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa

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

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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. 

H.E. Roberto Buontempo signing the Commodatum Agreement on behalf of EOHSJ 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.

Thanksgiving Mass – Senglea Parish

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On Friday 1st May 2020, H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant, accompanied by members of the Council, attended a Holy Mass at Senglea Parish Church organised by Can. Robin Camilleri, Archpriest, as a sign of gratitude for the help given to families in need within his parish by EOHSJ Malta. 

The Mass was offered for the repose of our dear departed as well as for the intention of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto.

The suffering that certain families/individuals go through during testing times like these is immense. The Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem encourages everyone to donate. Any amount, big or small, will go a long way towards alleviating the financial difficulties being faced.

EOHSJ Thanksgiving Mass 01 May 2020Senglea Basilica

Gepostet von Robin Camilleri am Freitag, 1. Mai 2020

Message From Our Lieutenant On The Occasion of Our ‘Would-Be’ Investiture Weekend

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Today would have marked the beginning of our Investiture Weekend 2020, a much cherished and longed for event in the lives of all members of the Order and especially so in the lives of the postulants who would have been joining the Maltese Lieutenancy this year.  Unfortunately the Lord had other plans for us and our ceremony had to be rescheduled.

H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant, has produced a heartfelt video message in Maltese which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCE3gHUZkA.

He has also written the attached letter in English to reach all postulants, members and confreres/consoeurs worldwide.


God bless you all.


Deus Lo Vult!

Lieutenant’s Visit to the EOHSJ Headquarters

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H.E. the Lieutenant seen here with His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Fernando Filoni

An official visit to the EOHSJ Headquarters in Rome by His Excellency Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, took place this week. The lieutenant had a number of formal cordial meetings during this visit, including meetings with His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master; His Excellency Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, Governor General; and Fr Maxim Baz, Ecclesiastical Assistant to the Grand Magisterium. All these meetings were held at Palazzo Della Rovere on the 20th and 21st February.

H.E. the Lieutenant seen here with H.E. Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, Governor General.

Among other topics discussed, our upcoming Investiture Ceremony in April 2020, featured prominently. It is worth remembering that the Maltese Lieutenancy will be honoured to receive His Eminence the Cardinal Grand Master, who will be presiding over our Investiture Ceremony, and that this will be his first investiture outside of Italy since he took on his his new role as Grand Master in January.

H.E. the Lieutenant seen here with Fr. Maxim Baz, Ecclesiastical Assistant to the Grand Magisterium.