Today, we received four new members for our Area of the Order of Malta in Connecticut. They were among 106 new members. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the preaching was done by Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn. Interestingly five of the professed Knights of Justice were part of the ceremony. (We rarely get that many of the professed present!)
Our little area in CT is growing incrementally. We are grateful for our new brothers and sister.
Blessed Gerard, pray for us.
Today the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area gathered for the annual Liturgy for deceased members, family and friends at St. Ann Melkite Church (Waterford). The parish belongs to the Eparchy of Newtown.
The Divine Liturgy was served by Fr Dennis McCarthy and the bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, Bishop Richard F. Reidy preached. They were joined at the altar by Fr. Joseph L. MacNeill, a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, rector of St Thomas More Chapel, New Haven –the Catholic chaplaincy at Yale University and a Deputy Chaplain of the Order.
This is the second time the Order of Malta met at St Ann’s.
The Order of Malta is a 1000 year old lay religious order with more than 30K members worldwide serving the poor, the sick, and those in need of any sort. Historically, the Order has a rich history of service in Lebanon and throughout the East.
May all those prayed for today rest in peace. Eternal memory.
Today, the Order of Malta – CT North East Area met to honor the memory of Saint John the Baptist with a meeting, Holy Mass and lunch.
We met at St. Thomas Seminary-Pastoral Center, Bloomfield, CT.
One the great joys of the day was to officially welcomed 4 as new Knights and Dames of the Order.
Besides the announcements of various ministries, Bishop Peter Rosazza and Bob O’Hara spoke of their recent pilgrimage to Lourdes.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
The CT North East Area of the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem met Sunday, March 30, for Solemn Vespers at St Monica’s Church (St Ambrose Parish), Northford. Archbishop Leonard Blair, emeritus archbishop of Hartford and a member of both Orders presided and preached.
The evening was attended by parishioners of St Monica’s which was hosted by Father Robert L. Turner, KHS, pastor. The sacred music was beautiful and the reception was a nicely done.
The Dominican nuns of Our Lady of Grace Monastery welcomed the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area and the Fraternity of St. Dominic for Solemn Vespers for Gaudete Sunday.
Chaplains to the two Orders, Fr Peter J. Langevin and Fr Joe MacNeill sat in choir.
Fr Brian Mulchay, OP, presided and preached.
Today, we celebrate Blessed Gerard, founder and first Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Fra’ Gerard has embodied the motto Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum, which inspires over nine centuries of members and volunteers of the Order of Malta around the world.
Fra’ Gerard, pray for us.
Our annual Order of Malta picnic, old and new friends.
In advance of the solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the Order of Malta—CT North East Area met for a meeting, Mass, and lunch. Part of the day was at the Clelian Center at Mount Sacred Heart in Hamden, CT. Sister Susan Francis Graham gave a presentation on the spirituality of the Sacred Heart.
Bishop Peter Rosazza blessed the neck cross once worn by our Magistral Chaplain, Father Thomas Kelly who died 2 months ago today.
St. John the Baptist is a principal feast of the Order of Malta.
Vilmos (William) Apor, born 1892, was a Hungarian bishop who earned a special reputation for his service to the poor, especially during the months of hardship that came toward and at the end of World War II. Named Bishop of Gÿor in 1941, he chose as his motto: “The Cross strengthens the weak and makes the strong gentle.” During the many air raids he opened his home to those whose houses had been destroyed. When Russian troops entered the city in 1945, many women including religious took refuge in his episcopal residence. On Good Friday 1945 three Russian soldiers came to the residence and demanded that the women be taken to their barracks. Bishop Apor refused and placed himself in front of the women. One of the Russians shot and wounded him. Out of fear they then fled, leaving the women unmolested. Bishop Apor lived in great agony for three days and died on 2 April, Easter Monday.
Blessed William Apor, Bishop and Martyr, was a Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of the Order of Malta.
Collect: Almighty and Eternal God, through your grace, Bishop William, by courageously shedding his blood for his flock, earned a martyr’s crown. Grant that we, despite the difficulties of our daily lives, may do your will and offer our good works for the salvation of our brothers and sisters. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessed Vilmos Apor, PRAY FOR US!
*from the biography
Members of the CT – North East Area represented the Order of Malta in New Haven CT with members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at the launch of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Procession for the National Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage. Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford, celebrated the sacred Liturgy. Following Mass the congregation formed a procession in the Church’s neighborhood.
The group photo was taken in the basement of St. Mary’s Church, the founding location of the Knights of Columbus, with Father Peter J. Langevin, KHS, Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, and Father Joseph MacNeil, Parochial Vicar at Blessed McGivney Parish (New Haven, CT).
This fourth route will journey through the major cities of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Mid-Atlantic states to the Indianapolis Convention on July 17. One of the traveling Pilgrimage vans, which was parked at the Blessed MIchael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, contains the Tabernacle to securely transport the Blessed Sacrament for travelling Adoration .
