Tag: Order of Malta

St Andrew –crossed no more

Andrew, the fisherman first-called by Jesus to be among the 12 Apostles. He eventually dies a cruel death and on an X shaped cross. View the image with this post closely. Andrew’s adherence to Jesus is noteworthy. He really should have the title of “the Apostle of the Kerygma” because of preaching the Good News. Do we adhere, or do we even aspire to adhere as St Andrew, to the Lord?

On another note, today in the pouring rain I had the privilege of joining friends to celebrate the 125 years of New Haven’s Saint Andrew Society at Woodwinds in North Branford. Nearly 350 people at dinner. Originally a mutual benefit society for the Italian immigrants to New Haven, today the Saint Andrew Society is more a social group which sponsors a festival, some social projects and keeping friendship important.

The first founders and their families of the Saint Andrew Society came from Amalfi which has a significant import for those who belong to the Order of Malta: Blessed Gerard Sasso was born in the Amalfi area and a Benedictine monk there before moving to Jerusalem. The cross on our habit bears what is called the Maltese Cross on the breast, and the cross is used in abundance in Amalfi on churches, sidewalks, tee-shirts, etc.

The eight-pointed cross reminds us of the Eight Beatitudes as taught by the Lord and recorded in Matthew 5:7. The Paschal Mystery and the Beatitudes are intimates in that they deepen our way of living the Christian life: Lex orandi, lex orandi, lex agendi.

Frá Jean-Louis Mainguy falls asleep in the Lord

On August 14th, Frá Jean-Louis Mainguy died. He was 71. Jean-Louis was a solemnly professed member of the Order of Saint John (2014), a Knight of Justice. In the Order of Malta he was a member of the First Class.

What is noteworthy for me is that he was born in Beruit. An Eastern Catholic member of the Order of Malta being Maronite. He was only Professed Knight of Solemn Vows who lived and worked in the Middle East for nine centuries.

The religious superior of the Fraters, Frá John Dunlap said, “Fra’ Jean-Louis was a model of faith, dedication, and service, with the title of the first Professed Knight in Lebanon and a resident knight in Malta. His tireless commitment to the service of the Order and his noble spirit will remain etched in our hearts.”

The announcement of Frá Jean-Louis’ death is noted here by the Order of Malta. Here is an article on Jean-Louis here.

The Grand Priory of England noted two things about Jean-Louis that I want bring to our attention here:

1. “His distinguished work as an architect/interior designer and scenographer of spaces, stage and cinema, was recognised nationally and internationally.

2. “Profoundly spiritual … He was a leading light in the Order’s spiritual and humanitarian mission. A man of deep philosophical reflection, he lived a spirituality which was both inspiring and impressive. It was a privilege to have known him and worked with him.

May Our Lady of Sorrows assist Frá Jean-Louis, the Order of Malta, and his family and friends in this time of mourning. May St John the Baptist and Blessed Gerard attend to him. May the memory of Frá Jean-Louis Mainguy be eternal.

913 years of the Order of Malta

Today, February 15, 1113 (yes, 912 years ago): Pope Paschal II issues “Pie Postulatio Voluntatis” (English: The Most Pious Request), recognizing the Order of Hospitallers. (Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem).

The entities generally considered to maintain historical continuity with the Knights are the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, based in Rome, the Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the hospital at Jerusalem, Johanniter Orde in Nederland, Order of Saint John in Sweden, and the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

May Our Lady, St Joseph, and Blessed Gerard , intercede for us.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage begins in New Haven

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 .

All Saints of the Order of Malta

We gathered earlier this evening at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick (NYC) for Solemn Vespers for the feast of All Saints of the Order of Malta. The feast day is actually on November 19 but since the 19th was a Sunday this year, the observance was transferred to Monday. We also had the privilege of venerating the relic of the founder of the Order of Malta, Blessed Gerard.

May the saints and blesseds of the Order of Malta intercede for us before the Throne of Grace.

Defense of the Faith Dinner 2023

Earlier today the Order of Malta of Eastern CT  had the Appreciation Dinner a beautiful celebration for beloved retired clergy in the Diocese of Norwich including the three MSA from Holy Apostles Seminary.

This dinner was founded several years ago by the late Dr Robert Straab, KM, to show appreciation to the retired clergy who served in the Diocese of Norwich, CT.  The continues with the current members of the Eastern CT area of the Order of Malta under the leadership Richard Feil, KM.

Order of Malta Eastern CT Area Celebrates Feast of St. John the Baptist

Today, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is a solemn feast for the Order of Malta as the Forerunner to the Messiah is our patron saint. The Eastern Connecticut are of the Order of Malta met for a meeting, some education, Holy Mass and scrumptious meal. Sister Maryann Cantlon, CSJ, gave an informative presentation on Restorative Justice (aka Prison Ministry). Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael Richard Cote, ChC.

The day’s events took place at St. Bernard Church, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rockville-Vernon, CT. Gina Raymond, DM, Area Membership Chair, hosted the event and invited members of her Parish Council to participate in the Mass and to attend lunch with the Clergy.

Blessed feast to all members of the Order of Malta! May Saint John the Baptist continue to intercede for us.

On the ground in Ukraine

EWTN News in Depth (12/16/2022) has a review of the plight of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. There are several pivotal interviews for our consideration.

Watch “On the Ground in Ukraine.” One of the groups the news profiles, the Order of Malta, is also a group that has helped us in New Haven with giving food and aid.

I am happy that we can collaborate with the Order of Malta (Southeast CT Area) assisting Ukrainians. We have made several substantial donations that are on the way to Ukraine.

An Advent Day with the Order of Malta

Earlier today the Southeast CT area section of the Order of Malta met for its annual Advent Day meeting, Holy Mass and lunch. A delightful time with these brothers and sisters in faith and service.

I was only able to make the tail end of Mass and lunch due to my attendance at my godmother’s funeral rites. A deep sorrow at Pam’s transitus to the Lord. Please keep my godmother Pam in your prayers; she lived with the tragic disease of ALS.

The photo above shows us with Bishop Peter Rosazza and Fr Thomas Kelly and the Knights and Dames of Malta and the Associates.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Blessed Gerard, pray for us.