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.
On Monday 5th August, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, upon invitation by the Parish Priest of Lija, attended the feast of Christ the Saviour. On this occasion, the Lija Parish also celebrated the 425th anniversary since the founding of the Parish and the 325th anniversary of the actual building of the current Parish Church.
The occasion was presided by His Grace Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of our Order, in the presence of H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant.
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).
On Sunday 23rd June, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has participated in the procession and pontifical mass on the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi. This was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mdina and presided by His Grace Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of our Order. On this occasion, our Lieutenant, His Excellency Roberto Buontempo, also presented the Order’s Cross of Merit to Mrs. Louisette dei Conti Sant Manduca.
It is with immense pride and pleasure that we announce what marks a very important milestone in the history our Order.
For the first time in its history, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem now has its Official Premises in the heart of our Capital City, Valletta.
This was only possible with the help of our beloved Grand Prior, His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Archbishop Scicluna signed the agreement granting us use of the property earlier this week on the 15th May 2019, which coincidentally happened to be his birthday, in the presence of H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta, and Chev. Michael Pace Ross, Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta, also a member of our Order.
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 10th & 11th May 2019 respectively in the presence of our Lieutenant, H.E. Roberto Buontempo.
We were honoured by the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order, this being his 3rd visit to Malta on the occasion of our last three consecutive investitures.
Both occasions were also attended by Representatives of other Lieutenancies including:
The Vigil at Arms Ceremony was held on Friday 10th May 2019 at the St. Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Ġieżu) Church, Valletta. This was presided by His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Paul Cremona, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta and Grand Prior ad Honorem of the Maltese Lieutenancy.
This ceremony served as a time of solemn prayer for the Knights, Dame and Clergy to be invested, as well as for all members of the Order, in preparation for the Investiture.
On this occasion the following promotions were conferred:
and the following awards were given:
The ceremony was followed by a reception at Palazzo Messina in Valletta.
The Investiture Ceremony was held on Saturday 11th May 2019 at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta. This was celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Edwin Frederick O’Brien.
Major Concelebrants included His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Grand Prior of the Maltese Lieutenancy and His Grace Mgr. Knight Grand Officer Paul Cremona, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta and Grand Prior ad Honorem of the Maltese Lieutenancy.
The ceremony was also attended by H.E. The Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta.
On this occasion, the following were invested:
The ceremony was followed by a Gala Dinner held at the Casino Maltese in Valletta.
The Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem took part in the annual Good Friday procession organised by the Franciscan Church of St. Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Giezu).
Last Sunday, 7th April 2019, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem organised a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church in Fontana, Gozo.
Mass was celebrated by Fontana’s Parish Priest, our confrere Rev. Fr. Kt. Comm. John Muscat, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Nicholas J. Doublet. After mass, the Fontana Parish kindly organised a pre-lunch drinks and canapés in honour of our new Lieutenant H.E. Kt. Gr. Off. Roberto Buontempo.
The attending knights and dames, accompanied by family and friends, had a very pleasant lunch at the Grand Hotel in Mgarr, Gozo.
On the 21st March 2019, our Confrere, Chev. Dr. Charles A. Gauci KHS, upon recommendation of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, was appointed by Heritage Malta as Malta’s first Chief Herald of Arms. We would like to congratulate him on his well deserved appointment and wish him all the luck in his new role.
The members of the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem would like to congratulate their Confrere, H.E. Mgr. Paul Cremona KC*HS, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta and Grand Prior Ad Honorem of the Lieutenancy on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary since his Ordination to priesthood. We wish him well in the many years to come. Ad multos annos!