2019 Australian OSPITALLER HThe Annual Review of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta Spirit beyond generosity National Day | The Church of the True Cross | The Pilgrimage On 28 June Pope Francis hosted the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. Particular focus was placed 2019 Australian on the refugee crisis. At the conclusion of the private audience, Pope Francis received the new Sovereign OSPITALLER Council of the Order of Malta (elected on 1 May) Welcome H and the Order’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Antonio Zanardi Landi. 2019 Australian elcome to Australian Hospitaller magazine, the Annual Review of the Australian OSPITALLER HThe Annual Review of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, for the year 2019. Our cover story marks an historic milestone for the Order in the region with Wa report on the successful 9th Asia Pacific Conference held at Waurn Ponds, Geelong that welcomed participants from our Asia Pacific neighbours as well as the Grand Magistry in Rome, friends from Europe, and a record-breaking number of participants from Australia. ‘Living our faith in a secular society’ was the theme of the conference with a special focus on the Promise of Obedience. Working in discussion groups to facilitate input from a broad cross section of members was just one of the many highlights. The lines next to the picture of our Grand Chancellor on this cover consist of three words, Spirit beyond Spirit Beyond Generosity. Many of you may be thinking: What is the meaning behind this generosity statement? How can there be a spirit beyond this wonderful virtue? Generosity is at the very heart of our Catholic faith, for God so loved the world offered his one and only son Jesus who National Day | The Church of the True Cross | The Pilgrimage gave his life for us. In the second book of Paul to Corinthians, the disciple Paul tells the early Christians, that Cover image: H.E Albrecht Freiherr von they should make the most of God’s gifts and in turn share their blessings with others. (2 Cor. Boeselager attending the 9th Asia Pacific 9-13). Not grudgingly or through mere obligation but instead for the Glory of God. Conference in Waurn Ponds, Victoria. H.E Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager laid down a challenge to us during his visit to Australia: he wants us to go beyond generosity. He has asked us to open our hearts to do more than just serve those in need and protect our faith but to actively become part of the lives of our lords, the The Australian Association of the Sovereign sick and the poor. He said “Don’t just give the poor a hand out but become part of their lives”. Military Hospitaller Order of These recent words from our Grand Chancellor tap into the message of St Paul. Don’t just St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes look after the simple material needs of our neighbours but go deeper, make a genuine connection and of Malta with those in need, do not just care for them but care about them. Invest of yourself in their lives where possible and make a lasting difference through your actions. The spirit of this message Members of Executive Council: was front and centre during the Asia Pacific Conference as well as during the Grand Chancellor’s discussions with the new Executive Council. President: Our Prelate H.E Bishop Jean Laffitte in the Journal of Spirituality issue 16 – Service to The Hon Justice James Sholto Douglas KHD Neighbour as a Testimony of Faith, refers to a presentation given at the International Hospitallers Vice President: Prof. Michelle Campbell DMG conference titled ‘The Sense of Christian Voluntary Work’. Chancellor: Scott Robert Samson KMG “I thought that a generous heart should be a distinctive mark of any member of the Order, not Treasurer: James Gurry KMG only of those committed in actions of compassion. National Hospitaller: John Murphy KMG “How to express this simply? A generous heart exceeds always what is strictly due in terms of Hospitaller North Eastern Region: justice. Our love to the sick and the poor should inspire our own personal service.” May we first look back at 2019 with gratitude and now face the challenges and opportunities Danny Higgins KMG for the Order in Australia in 2020 and beyond with a generous heart and all that it encompasses. Hospitaller Central Eastern Region: Dr John Stephen Quain KMG John Murphy Hospitaller South Eastern Region: Publisher David Blackwell OAM, RFD, KMG(Ob) Hospitaller Northern Central Region: Seán Clement Parnell OAM KMG As we went to print with the 2019 edition of Australian Hospitaller magazine, Hospitaller Southern Central Region: it was with great sadness that the Grand Magistry announced the death Noel Mifsud KMG of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and 80th Hospitaller New Zealand: Grand Master Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto on 29 April. Dr Gregory Coyle KMG 2019 Australian Hospitaller Delegate of Communications: Australian Hospitaller Publisher: Contributors: is published by John Murphy KMG Alastair Furnival KMG Daniel Kwok KMG (Ob) Prime Creative Media Michelle Rees Vice Delegate of Communications: Editor: Melbourne Office Stephen Gatt KMG (Ob) Anthony Gerada KMG (Ob) Sarah Baker 11-15 Buckhurst Street Joseph Grogan South Melbourne, VIC 3205 John Murphy KMG Sub Editors: Christine Clancy Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception Sydney Office Daniel Kwok KMG (Ob) Dunstan de Souza KMG Suite 3.03, Level 3, 1-9 Chandos Street Procurator: St Leonards, NSW 2065 Design and Production: Professor David Kissane AC KMG (Ob) General Enquiries Michelle Weston +61 3 9690 8766 [email protected] 2019 Australian Hospitaller 3 2019 Australian contents HOSPITALLER 06 54 38 REPORTS FEATURES 62 66 76 12 Association President 06 Setting a path to living our Faith The ninth Asia Pacific Conference in Melbourne highlights 44 Did you know… 58 Forward Focus Bethlehem is a blessing for thousands 16 14 Subpriory the Order’s progressive social and humanitarian works Discover why there’s more to the Order The Order of Malta’s Clinic in Dili, of tiny heartbeats, their parents and 16 National Hospitaller of Malta’s name than meets the eye Timor-Leste, makes significant progress families each year 15 A Piece of History in operations and funding, and 18 North Eastern The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Michelangelo 48 Inaugural National Day highlights goals for the year ahead 70 Book Reviews 20 Central Eastern Merisi da Caravaggio is considered “the painting of the The Order of Malta has launched its first The Order celebrates a breathtaking 17th Century” National Day in Australia to promote its 60 Humanitarian Diplomacy story of military crusading, barbary 22 South Eastern significant work to the wider community How the Order of Malta acts to serve pirates and the Ottoman Empire, and the 20 24 Central Southern 34 The True Cross the poor, sick and victims of conflicts evolution of the Youth Catechism of the The Church of the True Cross continues to stand as a 50 Embracing the Challenge in neutral, impartial and apolitical ways Catholic Church 26 Northern Central shrine to the Vera Cruz and the people of Segovia Members of the Australian Association 28 New Zealand of the Order of Malta discuss ways to 62 Hope in Hong Kong 72 Obituaries 38 The Spirit and Tradition of Pilgrimage embrace challenges and maintain hope The Order of Malta hosts the Third We honour the lives of Australian 30 Thailand The spirit of pilgrimage dates from the 11th century in at the 2019 Assembly Asia Pacific Youth Camp in Hong Association members and record their 28 32 Korea Jerusalem and continues as a sacred tradition for the Kong, filled with inspiration, fun, life stories Order 54 The People’s Journey resilience, courage and faith. Celebrating the Order of Malta’s 61st 76 Original Glory 41 A Leading Legacy Annual International Pilgrimage to 66 Bethlehem’s Miracle After two years of restoration, the Dr. Ian Marshall closes a chapter of leadership after 27 Lourdes, and Pilgrims share their personal Workers Church of Santa Maria on the Aventine years serving the Order of Malta Australia reflections on their spiritual journey Why the Holy Family Hospital in Hill, is glowing again 4 2019 Australian Hospitaller 2019 Australian Hospitaller 5 Setting a path to our LIVING TheFAITH ninth Asia Pacific Conference, held in Melbourne, Australia, outlined a strategic three-year plan for the region and highlighted the Order’s spirituality and progressive social and humanitarian works. 6 2019 Australian Hospitaller 2019 Australian Hospitaller 7 n 21 November, Grand Chancellor H.E. Faith in a Secularised World’ and the agenda regarding the Promise of Obedience. international hospitaller activities were the focus Baron Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager focused on priorities and plans at a national and “It should become clearer that it is not about a of the afternoon session. The Grand Hospitaller took to the stage at a pivotal moment for international level for both the Order of Malta’s decoration or a promotion, but the response to a introduced the World Day of the Poor 2019 video and Othe Asia Pacific associations of the Order. A group of charitable works and defence of the faith initiatives. specific vocation to serve the Order in an organic then spoke on the works of the Order across the globe. 98 delegates from across the region gathered to hold This theme was explored throughout the and continuous manner, received by one who already “The help and support provided should not be their annual conference for the first time in Victoria conference which ran for three days to 24 lives the charisma of Malta and who works to give understood as the strong helping the weak,” said the at the Waurn Ponds Estate Geelong.