This morning the Lieutenant of the Grand Master, Fra’ John T. Dunlap, left the Magistral Palace and walked to the Oratory of Saint Ignatius. To celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist, he attended a special lunch for the needy served by the “Fra’ Giacomo Group” of the Order of Malta’s Rome Delegation.

Some 120 people, organized in two shifts, at 12 and 1 pm, sat around the tables set up in the beautiful setting of the Oratory where fifteen volunteers from the Group served them three courses followed by dessert.

After prayers, the Lieutenant wished those present an enjoyable feast and gave the floor to Pope Francis’ almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who greeted the guests and then passed among the tables, giving each of them a personal message from Pope Francis.

This festive lunch, like those for Christmas and Easter, was also attended by the Procurator of the Grand Priory of Rome, Amedeo de Franchis, the Rome Delegate, Leopoldo Torlonia, and Father Bruno Esposito OP, the Order of Malta’s Magistral Chaplain.

The Jesuit fathers offer lunch every Saturday to the needy in this church dedicated to the founder of the Society of Jesus, helped also by teachers and students from the nearby Visconti lyceum. At the entrance, clothes, bags and other everyday items are available for those who need them.

The Fra’ Giacomo Group of the Order of Malta’s Rome Delegation was established a year ago in memory of Grand Master Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, who died in April 2020. As both Grand Prior and later Grand Master, Fra’ Giacomo was assiduous in serving meals to the needy in Rome. The Fra’ Giacomo group, consisting of some fifteen volunteers, is coordinated by Mons. Vittorio Formenti, and every Thursday evening distributes meals in central Rome.