Order of Malta celebrates St. John the Baptist in Rome
The patron saint of the Order of Malta, St. John the Baptist, was celebrated yesterday with a Mass in the Roman Basilica dei Santi Bonifacio e Alessio, in the presence of the Grand Master, the Sovereign Council and a large representation of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Sovereign Order of Malta.
In his homily, Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Cardinal Patron of the Order of Malta, recalled the eight Beatitudes, represented on the eight-point cross, symbol of the Order.
On the occasion of the solemnity of St. John the Baptist, Pope Leo XIV sent a message, expressing his gratitude to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta for their concrete witness to God’s love: “The Church thanks you for all the good you do, where there is a need for love, in sometimes very difficult situations. I also thank you for the commitment to renewal you have been carrying forward for several years, for greater fidelity to the Gospel, in close and cordial collaboration with the Cardinal Patron, whom I have reconfirmed in his office. Continue in this direction!”*
Celebrations have also taken place in many other nations where the Order of Malta is present with its relief network and humanitarian projects. The Order of Malta’s Grand Priories, National Associations, Embassies and Relief Corps on the five continents organized masses and events to celebrate St. John the Baptist.
The Grand Master, with the Grand Commander and the Grand Chancellor together with some members of the Sovereign Council, also took part in the Mass held this morning in Rome in the hospital dedicated to the patron saint. The Mass was also attended by several patients of the hospital.
