Maltese Association - Order of Malta

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Maltese Association - Order of Malta

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Non Profit Charitable Organisation

11/10/2026

Holy See reiterates its position on chivalric orders
The Secretariat of State reaffirms its position on chivalric orders, noting that the Holy See recognizes and protects only the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, besides its own chivalric orders.
Vatican News
The Secretariat of State has issued a clarification on the Holy See’s position regarding chivalric orders, following numerous requests for information about organizations dedicated to saints or bearing sacred titles.
Released on Saturday, the statement reiterated that, in addition to its own chivalric orders, the Holy See recognizes and protects only the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
“It does not intend to change this policy,” the statement said.
The Holy See’s own orders are the Supreme Order of Christ, the Order of the Golden Spur, the Pian Order, also known as the Order of Pope Pius IX, the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and the Order of Saint Sylvester the Pope.
Unrecognized orders
The statement noted that all other equestrian orders, whether newly established or claiming descent from medieval orders, are not recognized by the Holy See, which cannot vouch for their historical and juridical legitimacy, purposes, or organizational structures.
The Secretariat of State explained that the clarification sought to prevent misunderstandings arising in part from the unlawful issuance of documents and the improper use of sacred places, as well as abuses that harm people acting in good faith.
“The Holy See reaffirms that it attaches no value to knighthood diplomas and related insignia issued by unrecognized organizations and does not consider the use of churches and chapels for so-called ‘investiture ceremonies’ to be appropriate,” concludes the statement.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-10/holy-see-secretariat-state-position-chivalric-orders.html

11/10/2026

Grand Hospitaller Visits Malta’s Volunteer Services and Emergency Response Initiatives

During his visit to Malta, the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Josef D. Blotz, met with the leadership, members and volunteers of the Maltese Association, expressing his gratitude for their commitment to the Order’s humanitarian mission and learning more about the Association’s ongoing activities in the fields of social assistance and emergency response.
At the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, the Grand Hospitaller visited the volunteer service provided by the Maltese Association, which offers assistance to cancer patients and their families. He witnessed the work carried out at the centre and the personal attention given to those undergoing treatment, reflecting the importance of human support alongside medical care.
The programme also included a visit to Malta’s correctional facilities, where he met volunteers engaged in prison outreach activities. The visit highlighted the Order’s longstanding efforts to accompany people facing marginalisation and social exclusion, helping to preserve dignity and provide support to inmates and their families.
Particular attention was devoted to the Maltese Association’s Search and Rescue Unit. Following a briefing on its activities and future developments, the Grand Hospitaller attended a practical demonstration of its capabilities in search and rescue operations, first aid and emergency response. The exercise underscored the high level of professionalism required to serve the community.
The Grand Hospitaller also paid a visit to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta, HG Mgr Charles Jude Scicluna in Mdina.

11/10/2026

Annual General Meeting.

Many members of the Association attended the Annual General Meeting held at Casa Lanfreducci on Wednesday the 30th of September.

Mass was celebrated by the Principal Chaplain, Monsignor Fr Brendan Gatt.

The minutes of the last General Meeting were read by the Secretary General, Marchesino Josef Formosa Gauci.

A very detailed Annual Report was delivered by the President of the Association, Dr Michael Grech. This was a special year having celebrated the 60th Anniversary since the setting up of the Maltese Association. This was done in the presence of His Most Eminent Highness, Fra’ John Dunlap, Prince and Grand Master and under the Patronage of the Her Excellency, Ms Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of the Republic of Malta. The visit of the Grand Commander, Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau in June enhanced the celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist and coincided with the launch of the book - Sixty Years of Service - The Maltese Association of the Order 1965-2025 - and the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Malta.

Dame Karen Miller, the Hospitaller, gave a power point presentation of the activities held during the year. Once again, she had only praise for the hard work put into all the activities by members and volunteers of the Order, and the financial help given every year by VOTO, the volunteers organization. As always, the highlight of the year remained the pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Frederick Mifsud Bonnici, the Treasurer, presented a statement of accounts. Copies of the audited report were circulated.

All the reports were adopted.

After the AGM, Mgr Brendan Gatt blessed the new MASMOM van which will be used to transport wheelchair cases whenever required.

11/10/2026

TA' PINU PILGRIMAGE 2026

A total of nine special cars came together early morning on Saturday, the 43rd of October at Cirkewwa, ready to embark on the Gozo boat. They were carrying a large number Our Lord the Sick, coming from several institutions around Malta, and , as guests of the Maltese Association , were looking forward for a day in Gozo. They would be joined, in Gozo, by several others resident in the sister island.

This is one of the main events in the calendar of the Association and has been held for many years. Dame Karen Miller, the Hospitaller, supported by the Council , members and aspirants, prepare the logistics of the days from weeks in advance.

Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Fr Brendan Gatt, Principal Chaplain assisted by Canon Geoffrey Attard, himself a Magistral Chaplain. The 4th of October happened to be day when the 800th Anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi was being celebrated all over the world. Monsignor Gatt in his homily, brought out the simplicity of character of Saint Francis and his humility. Lessons were read by Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, while the bidding prayers were said by Dr Noel Buttigieg-Scicluna.

The President of the Association, Dr Michael Grech, at the end of Mass, read the Prayer of the Order.

Lunch was then served to all those present at Hotel Ta’Cenc, accompanied by the playing of guitars as, the guests, Our Lord the Sick, were invited to join the music, singing along several popular songs.

01/10/2026

October Youth Camp preparations in full swing!

01/10/2026

We can’t wait to kick off October Youth Camp 2026!

14/09/2026

7th September

For many years now, the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta has kept the 7th of September as a day of remembrance of those who died in the Great Siege of 1565 and those fallen during the Second World War.

A Mass de Requiem is said at St John’s Co-Cathedral. The members of the Order and the many Maltese who died during the five months of the Siege of 1565 are remembered in the special prayers said during Mass and in the laying of flowers that follows the end of Mass.

Mass this year was said by Monsignor Reverend Paul Vella, Conventual Chaplain Grand Cross ad honorem, assisted by Reverend Fr Andrew Fisher from the United States Federal Association of the Order of Malta.

Following the end of Mass, Dr Michael Grech, President of the Association and other members of the Council led the congregation made up of both Maltese and American Knights to the tomb of Fra Don Melchoir de Robles, a Spanish knight who distinguished himself during the Siege where after prayers were said by Monsignor Vella, a bouquet of flowers was placed in homage to the sacrifice he and others like him did in withstanding, at the cost of their lives, the onslaught of the Muslim forces.

Prayers and flowers were also laid on the tomb of the hero of the Great Siege Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette.

The Maltese Association also laid flowers on the tomb of Grand Matthew Master Festing, the last Grand Master to be buried in the Crypt at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

05/09/2026

It is with great pleasure that we announce that on the 23rd of July the latest Hospitaller endeavour was initiated.

This consists of weekly visits to Dar tal- Kleru to sit and chat with the elderly priests who reside there. Many have little or no family and love talking about their interesting lives with our members and volunteers.

These clergymen have given their lives to God and spiritual leadership. Members and volunteers visit once monthly for an hour - parking is available in the grounds of the home.

If anyone is interested in joining these visits, please get in touch with the Secretariat. It is an extremely rewarding experience.

RKM

13/08/2026

More Maltacamp fun!

12/08/2026

Order of Malta International Summer Camp - Day 5

We had a bright and early start heading to Pamplona, where we enjoyed a nice morning coffee and walked part of the Camino bearing our flags representing our home country 🇲🇹along with all the delegations of Maltacamp. We walked into the beautiful Pamplona cathedral to hear Mass and then starting making our way back home.

Address

Casa Lanfreducci, Jean De Valette Square
Valletta
VLT1104

Website

http://www.orderofmalta.mt/

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