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.