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Australian HThe Annual ReviewOSPITALLER of the2017 Australian Association of the Sovereign of ENGAGING THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER

KOREA Korean Delegation’s first report PILGRIMAGE Walking in the footsteps of St Paul COATS CAMPAIGN The Order’s 900 year old mission in action Lieutenant of the Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was elected on 29 April 2017 by the Council Complete of State for one year. Australian WELCOME HOSPITALLER2017

elcome to the Australian Hospitaller magazine, the Annual Australian Review of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, for the year 2017. HThe Annual ReviewOSPITALLER of the2017 Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta WThis edition takes a look at the challenge facing our Order both in and the Order’s national associations around the world; that of engaging and recruiting young volunteers to the Order of Malta’s ENGAGING mission to the needs of the poor, the sick, the elderly, the handicapped, THE YOUNG the outcast and the refugee. Our article on Homelessness highlights the VOLUNTEER plight of the growing number of rough sleepers in Australia. In some of our cities, walking by these poor souls without your heart going out to them can be extremely hard and the many unanswered stories about their current situation and their plight are just as difficult to comprehend. KOREA Korean Delegation’s first report The Australian Association mourned the loss of a number of PILGRIMAGE members in 2017 and in this edition we have selected three obituaries: Walking in the footsteps of St Paul COATS CAMPAIGN the Association’s only of Justice Frà Richard Divall AO OBE The Order’s 900 year old mission in action CMM; celebrated portrait painter Confrere Paul Fitzgerald AM KMG; and former Australian Association Confrere Thomas (Tom) Hazell AO KHS KMG CMM. Each contributed greatly throughout their years as members of the Association. We’ve also sought to bring you new and interesting information FEEDBACK on the Order of Malta, such as the use of processional swords and We want to know what vocations to the first class - that of of Justice. you think. After all, the more we For the first time our new delegation in Korea has contributed a know about what members want to see in report and we also bring you reports from throughout the Australian their annual publication, the more we can Association, as well as our delegations in , and provide you with branch reports, interesting articles and reseach on the events and New Zealand. history of the Order of Malta. I hope you enjoy reading this year’s edition. Scott Samson Send your feedback to [email protected] Editor Meet our Contributors

Seán Parnell OAM KMG Mark Switkowski KMG Frà Richard Divall AO OBE Scott Samson KMG I was fortunate enough to join Like so many not-for-profit As a professed Knight of the The history of our Order the Northern Territory Catholic organisations, the Order of Malta Order of St John of , fascinates me and as Editor Education Office on their annual is not immune to the challenges of Rhodes and of Malta, I want of the Australian Hospitaller pilgrimage. This year’s chosen of volunteer retention, especially to share with members of our I enjoy the challenges laid journey was entitled “In the younger volunteers. Confrere Association the context of God’s down by our Members to find Scott Samson KMG and I were answers to their questions on Footsteps of St Paul” and covered specific call to ‘each one of us fortunate enough to meet with the traditions and history of St Paul’s journey throughout to play a definite role that He two younger members from the the Sovereign Order of Malta. Minor () and Greece. has foreseen from all eternity’. French and British Associations In this edition we have looked I have enjoyed recalling the I encourage all our members and learn from their Associations’ into the history of carrying progress of our pilgrimage. to ‘discern’ their ongoing roles, experiences. We have recorded swords in the Order’s liturgical Read more on page 64. our European friends’ activities and vocations within processions. recommendations here. the Order. Read more on page 11. Read more on page 18. Read more on page 28.

Photo Credits: Top - Remo Camilli /AP, 30 April, 2017; Bottom - Alberto Pizzoli/Afp, 23June 25, 2017 April, 2017; Bottom - 30 - Remo Camilli /AP, Top Photo Credits: 3 Australian HOSPITALLER2017 CONTENTS Features Reports 6 ASSOCIATION President 7 Subpriory PROCURATOR 8 THE GRAND MAGISTRY

33 tRANSITIONAL COUNCIL Page 30 34 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Order’s Clinic 36 NORTH EASTERN REGION in Timor Leste 38 CENTRAL EASTERN REGION open for patients 40 SOUTH EASTERN REGION Page 18 42 CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION 44 CENTRALNORTHERN REGION Youth development is an important 47 WESTERN DELEGATION element in growing our Order How do we as an Australian Association and 48 PILGRIMAGE throughout our regions engage with our youth and encourage them to volunteer; see page 18. 50 NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION 11 Bearing Swords 52 THAILAND DELEGATION Ever wondered why we carry a 54 HONG KONG DELEGATION large parade sword in liturgical 56 KOREAN DELEGATION processions? We answer Members’ questions on our swords. 58 7th Asia-Pacific 14 Obituaries Conference We record the lives of three Members: Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CMM, Confrere Paul Fitzgerald AM KMG and Confrere Tom Hazell AO KSH KMG CMM.

24 Australian Members Supporting the Homeless The Members, volunteers and supporters of the Australian Association are making a practical contribution to improve the circumstances of the homeless. 28 Knights of Justice Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CMM looks at what it means to take Profession in our Order. 30 Clinic Now Open The Order’s new medical clinic in Dili, Timor Leste is officially open. 60 Book Reviews Two new books touching on the history of the Order of Malta are recommended to readers. 64 On Pilgrimage Page 28 Page 24 Confrere Seán Parnell OAM Vocation as Coats for the Homeless KMG recounts his experience on a Knight of pilgrimage and the significant Campaign makes all the spiritual journey he found while Justice difference walking in the footsteps of St Paul.

4 Page 11 Why do we carry swords in liturgical Page 64 processions? Walking the road less travelled, the Pilgrim’s Trail through Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece.

11 Dressing the Order for War and Peace

Page 10 The Armour of a Grand Master

Coats for the Homeless Campaign makes all the difference

5 AssociationPresident In this year’s President’s Report His Excellency Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob) highlights the work and achievements of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta at home and abroad, including the establishment of a new group in Korea.

n recent years the Australian Association regional and intra-regional pilgrimages in the Northern Territory. Palliative care of the Order has been involved in and retreats. continues to be a key activity in . a complicated and time consuming Our chaplains have never been more The Ambassadors have never been Iprocess of constitutional reform, firstly of involved in the life of the Order. They so active and the regional presence and our own national Statutes and more recently allocate precious time from their usual membership of the Order grows - in Hong of the Order globally. responsibilities to attend to our spiritual Kong, Thailand and , Timor- A Transitional Council has been needs for which we must all be very Leste and now South Korea. appointed to oversee the ordinary activities grateful. Our Ambassadors quietly explore of our activities pending the outcome of I record our thanks to the members of avenues for development of the Order in the global reform process; a monumental the former Executive Council for their past the Asia Pacific area. exercise in its own right in which Australia contributions and thank the members of Individual members with local will play its part. the new Transitional Council for accepting expertise willingly offer to assess Hence the new concept of “regional their new responsibilities. opportunities for the Order in , Papua hospitallers”, regional office bearers rather Our appreciation must be recorded for New Guinea, Indonesia, and . than State based within State borders. It the activities of our overseas members in It is some sort of recognition of the also gives recognition to the smaller groups New Zealand, Hong Kong and Thailand vibrancy and dynamism of the Order in in Western Australia and the Northern and most recently Korea. our part of the world that the Asia Pacific Territory; and elsewhere. They are currently under the umbrella Conference is now an established annual It is designed to encourage more co- of the Australian Association during their event. operation between members nationally and progress towards independence in their It is the only annual international event especially internationally. own countries. Various reports on their on the Order’s calendar, routinely attended It is understandable if we have highly commendable activities appear by both the Grand and the been distracted from fully devoting our elsewhere. Grand Hospitaller. energies to our core activities of obsequium One of the great events in the life All of this is achieved by the pauperum, Service to Our Lords the Poor of the Order is the annual pilgrimage commitment of many of our members and the Sick, and tuitio fidei, Defence of the to Lourdes in the first weekend in May and the investment of their personal time, Faith. and each year now we see an impressive knowledge and enthusiasm for which we all The Grand Chancellor has urged us to number of pilgrims under the Australian must be grateful. concentrate during this reform process on banner join with the Irish to assist with the I know from personal experience of the “how we can do things better in the future“ Irish malades. sacrifice our families make in supporting - that is to use this opportunity to plan Increasing numbers of malades attend our activities in the Order. carefully for the future. the annual Lourdes Masses in Australia There is an understated but It is essential we take this opportunity held for those who can’t physically attend nevertheless uniform spirit of optimism to focus primarily on what we are supposed Lourdes. and a common desire for a brighter future. to be doing such as our national Coats for Membership continues to build. We Together, let’s move enthusiastically the Homeless project and whatever else we have a record number of members and into 2018 to further fulfil our common do to serve the poor and the sick. we now have two families with third dedication to the twin mission of our Order With the distraction of revision of generation members. - Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum! the Statutes, plebiscites and then reform Our fundraising has never been more of the Order itself, policy development in successful. The Coats for the Homeless certain areas has lapsed such as a modern project goes from strength to strength communications strategy; involvement with coats now being distributed well of volunteers; an active national youth outside the capital cities. 6,000 coats were program; and Bioethics distributed to keep the homeless warm and It is the task of the new Regional dry this year. Hospitallers to actively promote the normal Local charitable works projects also activities of the members: Lourdes Mass; continue to expand. A notable one is the fundraising; local coats programs, inter- Advocacy Centre run by our members

6 SubprioryProcurator The Knights and in Obedience form the second of the three classes of the Order of Malta. Unlike the members of the first class (the Knights of Justice) who make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the Knights and Dames of the second class make a promise of obedience. Confrere Professor Kissane KMG(Ob), as Procurator, reports on the Subpriory of the .

t Australia’s recent National I will ask this committee to examine in support of such preparation? I would Assembly in Brisbane in June 2017, with me the opportunities and barriers to welcome feedback from any members of it was wonderful to have eight joining the Subpriory, and work with them the Subpriory that have thought about Amembers of our Sub Priory take their to increase the sense of community that these matters and have constructive advice Promises of Obedience before others in the comes with membership of the Subpriory. to offer. Australian Association. I am delighted to also report that In July, the NSW Branch of the This witness provided by Consoeur members of our Subpriory are also Australian Association held its annual day Deirdre Page DMG(Ob) and Confreres actively serving in the Reform Processes of reflection and Confrere Paul Grew very Dr Campion KMG(Ob), of the Order, with Confrere Ian Marshall generously arranged a couple of extra days Damian Fogarty KMG(Ob), Stephen Gatt serving on the Reform Working Group of retreat for members of the Subpriory KMG(Ob), Anthony Gerada, KMG(Ob), for Associations, Confrere Simon Grenfell (Thursday-Friday) at the Canisius Centre Richard Hall, KMG(Ob) Daniel Kwok on the Working Group for Governance, in . Some 14 or more members KMG(Ob) and Dr Ian Leitch RFD Confrere Dr Ian Leitch on the Working booked in to attend. The retreat was led by KMG(Ob) proved that the work of the Holy Group for Youth, Confrere Tony Heath Fr Geoffrey Plant, Parish Priest of the Lane Spirit is alive and well in the Australian KMG(Ob) on the Working Group for the Cove Parish in Sydney. Association. Third Class, Consoeur Jennifer Dunlop on This year prayers have been needed for We also have further members the Working Group for Dames and I have the Physician-Assisted Suicide debates that undertaking their year of preparation in the been appointed to the Working Group for are again active in our State Parliaments. persons of Confreres David Blackwell OAM the Second Class. In Victoria, as of November the Parliament KMG (VIC), James Caesar-Thwaytes KMG The gift of Obedience emerged from has debated and passed a Bill. Euthanasia (ACT), Justin Harkiewicz KMG (Hong the last reform of the Order in 1997 and will now become law, with legislators Kong), and Gregory Pang Shien Khing the Working Group for the Second Class claiming that their new legislation creates KMG (). is examining the nature of the vocation the safest euthanasia system in the world. Additionally, Consoeur Marianne Daly which it brings and the barriers that exist These claims appeared little more DMG(Ob) from the Subpriory of Our Lady for other members of the Order engaging than a clever marketing strategy to me, of Philermos (Western USA) is working for with this call to deeper holiness. and several of the recommendations risk a time in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Building a sense of community is a harming the vulnerable and normaliing will join in activities with our Subpriory key process to draw members together medical killing in the years ahead. while here. to deepen the spiritual stability of our Finally, I would like to take the I received a letter from The Grand Order, with Subpriories supporting this, opportunity to thank Confrere the Hon Chancellor, His Excellency Albrecht and indeed, in the Asia Pacific region, our Sir AC CVO KGCSG Freiherr von Boeselager, on behalf of the Subpriory accepting this responsibility for KGCMG(Ob) GCMM for his dedication Lieutenant of the Grand Master and the our geographic region. and years of service as Regent of our Sovereign Council, approving the renewal The Subpriory is currently considering Subpriory. As the Subpriory’s first Regent of my appointment as Procurator for a a number of proposals relating to the Year and one of the early members of the further year until the Reform of the Order is of Preparation that is required before a Second Class in Australia, Sir James completed. member can be admitted into the Second has contributed greatly to the spiritual Because we are not allowed at this stage Class. development of members and in providing to elect a Council for the Subpriory, on One of the biggest questions asked encouragement to those considering taking the advice of the Grand Chancellor, I have has been whether there is more that could the Promise of Obedience. formed a representative committee to guide be done with the Year of Preparation? My Our Subpriory also lost its keystone our development and activities, comprising sense was that some of our recent members this year, with the passing into eternal life Consoeurs Jennifer Dunlop DMG(Ob) formed a very cohesive group that of Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CMM. As (ACT) and Mary Galea DMG(Ob) (VIC) mutually supported one another through our only professed Knight, Frà Richard will and Confreres Anthony Gerada (QLD), this year. be sorely missed. His enthusiasm for the Stephen Gatt (NSW) and Dr Ian Leitch (SA) Is the creation of such a community works of the Order and the success of the to assist me in the day-to-day affairs of the of important to enrich the Subpriory were all pervasive. I pray that Frà Subpriory. journey? And what of the role of chaplains Richard now rests in peace.

7 TheGrand Magistry The Council Complete of State, the body responsible for electing the Grand Master or Lieutenant of the Grand Master (with the same powers as the Grand Master, but in office for one year), took place on 29 April. The 2017 Council Complete of State, met in the Magistral Villa – the extraterritorial headquarters of the Order of Malta in . Council Complete of State elects a Lieutenant of the Grand Master ~29 April 2017 ~

rà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio of the most significant moments in the di Sanguinetto was elected Lieutenant spiritual life of the Order’s members and of the Grand Master of the Sovereign volunteers. FOrder of Malta on 29 April 2017. The electing body, the Council Complete of Constitutional Reform State, met in the Magistral Villa in Rome, One of the most important tasks of Frà one of the Order of Malta’s two institutional Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di seats. Sanguinetto during his one year mandate, The newly elected Lieutenant of the will be to work on the reform process of the Grand Master swore his Oath before the Constitution and Code of the Order. ’s Special Delegate to the Sovereign The Constitutional was Order of Malta, Angelo Becciu, promulgated in June 1961 and was and the members of the Council Complete amended in 1997. of State in the of Santa Maria in In particular, the proposed Aventino. Constitutional reform will address Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di potential institutional weaknesses. The Sanguinetto succeeds Frà , recent crisis has shown some weaknesses 79th Grand Master, who resigned on 28 in the checks and balances in governance: January 2017. the reform will take this into consideration. was informed by letter The reform will also focus on strengthening of the election result and all the Order of the Orders spiritual life and to increase Malta’s Grand Priories, Subpriories and the number of its Professed members. National Associations around the world Consultations have already begun and all were subsequently informed, as were the members of the Order have been invited to representatives of the 106 countries with offer their suggestions. which the Order maintains diplomatic essays and articles on aspects of medieval relations. art history. Lieutenant of the Grand Master The new Lieutenant of the Grand He became a member of the Sovereign According to the Order’s Constitution, the Master, elected for a one-year mandate, Order in 1985 and took his Solemn Vows Lieutenant of the Grand Master remains in affirmed his commitment to work closely in 1993. From 1994-1999 he was Grand charge for one year with the same powers with the Order’s Sovereign Council in of Lombardy and Venice and from as a Grand Master. The Lieutenant of the advancing the diplomatic, social and 1999 to 2004, a member of the Sovereign Grand Master must reconvene the Council humanitarian activities and to nourish the Council. At the General of 2004 Complete of State before the end of his spiritual life and the commitment of its he was elected Grand of the mandate. 13,500 members as well as that of its more Order and on the death of the 78th Grand The Lieutenant of the Grand Master than 100,000 volunteers and employees. Master, Frà , he became is the sovereign and religious head of the the Lieutenant ad interim. From 2008 Frà Order, and must fully dedicate himself to Profile of Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Giacomo Dalla Torre has held the post of the development of the works of the Order Tempio di Sanguinetto Grand Prior of Rome. and to set an example of living by Christian Frà Giacomo was born 1944 in Rome. The first official engagement of the principles to its members. He is vested with He graduated in Humanities from the new Lieutenant of the Grand Master was supreme authorities. Together with the University of Rome, specialising in the 59th Order of Malta International Sovereign Council, he issues the legislative Christian Archeology and History of Art. Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which took place measures not covered by the Constitution, He took up academic posts at the Pontifical from 5 to 9 May. Every year, over 7,000 promulgates government acts and ratifies Urbaniana Institute, teaching classical members and volunteers from all over the international agreements. The Lieutenant Greek. He was also Chief Librarian and world take part in the pilgrimage, assisting of the Grand Master resides at the Order’s Archivist for the Institute’s important around 1,500 sick and disabled pilgrims. seat of government, the Magistral in collections and has published a range of The pilgrimage to Lourdes represents one Rome.

8 A message from His Excellency The Lieutenant of the Grand Master

ear members of the Order, it is an honour for me to address you as Lieutenant of the Grand Master of Dthe Sovereign Order of Malta. I feel blessed to have been elected for one year as the sovereign head and religious superior of the Order of Malta, an institution that, – even during the most challenging times in its long history – has never failed to honour its Catholic faith and its core mission to help the sick and those in need. My dedication to promoting the spiritual dimension of our 900-year-old Order will be relentless and profound. One of my main tasks will be to work to refine our Constitution. Consultations to address institutional issues have already started. The Order of Malta has grown beyond all expectations in the last decades, in particular under the last two Grand Masters and we are grateful to them for this. But this growth also comes with much Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, elected Lieutenant of the Grand greater responsibility. Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, swore the oath of office in the Church of Santa And therefore we need to amend some Maria in Aventino, before the Council Complete of State (the elective body of the Order of our rules and regulations and strengthen of Malta consisting of 56 voters including: the Lieutenant ad interim (1); Members of the the governance aligning them with current Sovereign Council (9); (1); Grand and Procurators of Grand Priories (6); needs, and with the role and dimension of Professed Bailiffs (7); Professed Knights representing the Grand Priories (10); Professed the Order. Knight elected by the Knights in gremio religionis (1); Knight in Obedience elected by the All these reforms will take place without Knights in gremio religionis (1); Regents of the Subpriories (5); Presidents of the national any change to the charisma and ideals of the Associations (15)) and Archbishop Angelo Becciu, the Pope’s Special Delegate. Order. After the oath, the Grand Commander, Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein I take this opportunity to affirm, too, conferred the of Grand Master to the Lieutenant afterwhich the Grand Chancellor my strong commitment and total dedication Albrecht Boeselager declared the Council Complete of State dissolved. to advancing and developing the important A solemn Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Becciu and the flag of Grand Master was actions that the Order of Malta carries raised at the top of the Magistral Villa at the end of the ceremony. out – through our many associations, relief The Lieutenant of the Grand Master will remain in office one year at the end of which a and volunteer corps and embassies – in 120 new Council Complete of State will be convened. countries, some coping with the effect on local populations of violence, poverty and food and medical assistance, and social hospitaller mission. natural disasters. and spiritual support, are increasing and it I ask the interception of our Lady of We live in era of unrest and uncertainty. is our duty to help them. Philermo and the help of your prayers and Humanitarian emergencies – causing With deep gratitude, I thank the your commitment to sustain me during my displacement and an ever-increasing Order’s members, volunteers, doctors, mandate. number of refugees – are tragically nurses and rescuers. May the Lord watch over you and our proliferating around us. All around the world, with unremitting beloved Order. The demands of those in dire need of passion and dedication, you testify to our

9 A Piece of History The damascened parade armour made in the Milanese armoury workshops for the Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (1601 - 1622) . Grand Master de Wignacourt was a well respected leader of the Order and history records he was loved by the . He was a man of princely tastes and his suit of armour is one of the most expensive in existence. During his rule, the Bibliotheca (National Library) was firmly established, but his name will always be connected with the aqueduct he built to bring water to whose population had increased considerably by this time. Grand Master de Wignacourt died of apoplexy while he was out shooting. Grand Master’s armour is on display at the Palace Armoury, Valletta.

10 Adding to your knowledge of the Order of Malta A Piece of History DID YOU KNOW... Image courtesy of Bertand Malvaux, 2 rue Drébillon, 44000 Nantes,

The bearing sword of the Irish Association and a ceremonial verge carried before Frà Matthew Festing, while the 79th Prince and Grand Master: many arms and weapons museum collections typically feature immense parade or bearing great-swords as if they were actual combat weapons ignoring the fact they are not only blunt edged, but of impractical size and weight as well as poorly balanced for effective use. Unlike ceremonial specimens, none of the fighting weapons exceeded 1.8 kg and the heaviest ceremonial was less than 5 kg. Why do we carry large swords in the Order’s liturgical processions?

he use of large swords as symbols known as a Zweihänder. Zweihänder “Wielded by the of power and was a swords developed from the Longswords largest and most practice that originated in the high of the Late Middle Ages and became the TMiddle Ages. By the fifteenth century, hallmark weapon of German mercenaries impressive soldiers enormous ‘bearing swords’, intended solely from the time of the Emperor Maximilian (Doppelsoldners, who for ceremonial and processional use in I (1486-1519) and during the Italian Wars pageants and state occasions, were carried of 1494–1559. The Goliath Fechtbuch received double pay), before monarchs, statesmen and nobles, as (1510) shows an intermediate form well as town dignitaries of many European between long-sword and Zweihänder. Schlachterschwerter nation-states as a symbol of their legitimacy It was the sixteenth century, however, were also used to and status. that saw the zenith of the Zweihänder’s In the fifteenth century the town of development and by the second half guard banners and Passau, in Lower Bavaria, was the centre for of the sixteenth century the use of castle walls.” production of the large, two-handed swords enormous two-handed swords as a

11 Image courtesy of Hermann Historica oHG, Linprunstraẞe 16, 80335 München, Deutschland Images courtesy of the New York Public Library. include a small lion rampant, the heraldic symbol of the City of Brunswick, struck into their blades. A number of swords within Order of Malta’s collection in the Palace Armoury in Valletta also bear this distinctive hallmark. There is a certain ‘family resemblance’ across this group of Brunswick swords as a whole, yet it is possible to separate them in to several quite distinct subgroups. By far the largest of these subgroups contain swords that are dated 1573-4. These pieces have wide, crutch-shaped pommels, curved -guards formed with the likeness of a monstrous fish and their ricassos (the unsharpened length of blade just above the cross-guard) are nearly always inscribed with the cipher of their aristocratic owner alongside the relevant date. Some of the most magnificent bearing swords of the 1560s to the 1580s are those of manufactured in the Duchy of Brunswick during the reign of Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel (r. 1568-89). Grandly accentuated proportions and stylistic features unique to the Brunswick duchy could not have failed to impart a sense of awe and deference to the Royal and Imperial clients who placed large orders with the duchy’s armourers for their unique products. These swords, however, differ from those used in battle and carried by members of noble bodyguards in that they bear none of the and markings present on combat weaponry; they bear instead the heraldic and iconographic emblems of the noble lords they were carried before. They were also substantially larger than conventional two-handed swords, with a wider width of the quillons, together with the use of brass sheet applied uppermost within the guard and boldly embossed with large heraldic emblems and blazons positioned up and down the blade to be correctly viewed while carried aloft in procession. To understand what we are discussing it is important to first have a working definition. The respected work, ‘Swords and Hilt Weapons’, offers this description of the weapon: “The two-handed sword was a Departure of the Doppelsöldner of the Landsknecht (by Gustave Jean Jacquet 1846 - 1909). specialised and effective infantry Doppelsöldner were soldiers in 16th-century who volunteered to fight in the front line, taking weapon, and was recognised as such in on extra risk, in exchange for double payment. the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Although large, measuring 150-175 cm weapon was very much in decline, yet since the beginning of the fourteenth overall, it was not as hefty as it looked, these swords’ remained in widespread century and from around 1570 the first weighing something of the order of ceremonial use, as ‘bearing swords’ carried bearing swords of the ‘Brunswick’ 2.3-3.6 kg. in procession on occasions of state, as were manufactured and exported from the In the hands of the Swiss and German fitting symbols of power and authority. City to the Royal and Imperial Courts of infantrymen it was lethal, and its use Ironsmiths of the City of Brunswick, . was considered as special skill, often owing to the city’s proximity to the rich Most of the swords of this period do meriting extra pay.” ores of the Harz Mountains, had been not carry makers’ marks, yet one or two Fifteenth-century examples usually have active as a centre of sword manufacturing examples currently in museum collections an expanded cruciform hilt, sometimes

12 with side rings on one or both sides of the quillon block. This was the form which remained dominant in during the sixteenth century, but in of the Germany a more flamboyant form developed. Order of Malta: Two-handed swords typically have a generous ricasso to allow the blade to be safely gripped below the quillons arms & emblems and thus wielded more effectively at close quarters. Triangular or pointed projections, known as flukes, were added at the base of the ricasso to The State Flag defend the hand. The red rectangular flag with the white In contrast to long-swords, technically, true two- cross is the State flag of the Sovereign handed swords (épée à deux mains) Order of Malta. Called the flag of St John, or “two-handers” were actually it has been used since ancient times. Renaissance, not Medieval weapons. The Order Giacomo Bosio’s “History of the Order “ They are really those specialised forms The Order of Malta’s arms display the (1594) records that in 1130 Pope Innocent of the later 1500-1600s, such as the eight-pointed on a red oval field II had decreed that the “ in war Swiss/German Dopplehänder (“double- surrounded by a rosary and surmounted should bear a standard with a white cross hander”) or Bidenhänder (“both- by the princely mantle and crown (as on a red field.” Following Pope Alexander hander”). described in Article 6 of the Order’s IV’s Bull of 1259 permitting the Knights The popular names Zweihander Constitutional Charter). It is the emblem in war to wear a red mantle bearing a and Zweyhander are actually relatively of the Sovereign Order’s Grand Magistry white cross, the Order began to make modern not historical terms. English and its Institutions: the Grand Priories, systematic use of the Latin cross as its made swords were sometimes referred Subpriories, National Associations and emblem. In 1291, the Order left the Holy to as “slaughter-swords” after the Diplomatic Missions. German, Schlachterschwerter (“battle Land, the knightly standard was flown swords”). over their ships for the next six centuries. While used similarly to longswords, Today the State flag flies over the Order’s and even employed in some duels, Magistral Palace in Rome and accompanies they were not identical in handling or the Grand Master and members of the performance. Sovereign Council on official visits. Wielded by the largest and most impressive looking soldiers (Doppelsoldners, who received double pay), Schlachterschwerter were also used to guard banners and castle walls. These soldiers are the fore-bearers The Lieutenant of of today’s ceremonial sword bearers. Along with the bearing swords carried The Grand Master by the Order of Malta in our liturgical The arms of Lieutenant of the Grand processions, ceremonial swords are Master, Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del also carried before the British King or Tempio di Sanguinetto are quartered with Queen at their coronation ceremony, those of the Order. At 1 & 4, Gules, a cross the Lord Mayor of and Argent (for John); 2 & 3, Azure, on a Lord Mayors of many of ’s mount vert a square tower in perspective The Flag of the Order’s Works municipalities. proper, the ports Sable, surmounted by Similar to the Order of Malta, The red flag with eight-pointed white cross a Latin cross between two mullets of six is the flag of the Order of Malta’s works. ceremonial processions of the Most Argent. Behind the shield a Venerable Order of the Hospital of The eight-pointed cross has been used interlaced with a golden Rosary, from St John of Jerusalem also include the in the Order as long as the Latin cross, regular use of bearing swords. which depends a white Maltese cross. and stems from the Order’s ancient links Bearing swords are an important with the Republic of . Its present aspect of our Order’s liturgical life and form dates back over 400 years; the first and should be better appreciated and clear reference to an eight-pointed cross celebrated. was its representation on the coins of Australian Association Members Grand Master Frà should also remember to check your (1305-1319). This is the flag flown by the State or Territory’s laws as they apply Order’s Grand Priories and Subpriories, to swords and edged weapons before looking to purchase or borrow a Emblem its 47 National Associations and over sword to use in your region’s liturgical The emblem is the symbol of the Order of 100 diplomatic missions around the processions. By way of example, in Malta’s medical and humanitarian activities world. It also flies over hospitals, medical Victoria it is illegal to carry a sword worldwide. It is a red shield with a white, centres, as well as wherever the Order of without a special Police or Governor- eight-pointed cross (as described in Article Malta’s corps, foundations and in-Council regulatory exemption. 242 of the Order’s Code). specialised units operate.

13 Over 2017, the Australian Association mourned the loss of eight Members. We record the live stories of three Members here: Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CMM, Confrere Paul Fitzgerald AM KMG and Confrere OBITUARIES Thomas (Tom) Hazell AO KHS KMG CMM. Frà Prof Richard Divall AO OBE CMM 1945 - 2017

In addition to Opera and his wide research, Richard’s contribution to music continued in a wide variety of other areas. Thus he was for nearly twenty years chief adjudicator and conductor for the Sun Aria Competition. Last year his illness precluded him from performing his usual role but he agreed to attend in his wheelchair and to make a brief appearance on stage. There was a spontaneous overwhelming and unforgettable applause from a packed auditorium at the Arts Centre. This was a grateful community expressing its thanks for his twenty years of service. Similarly valued was his association with the Australian String Quartet in the Dunkeld Music Festivals sponsored by Allan and Maria Myers. It is not surprising that Richard’s contribution to Music attracted high . In the Order of Australia he was honoured by an at the level of Officer and also an OBE in the previous system. He received honorary doctorates from , the Australian ichard Sydney Benedict Divall nineteenth century, from colonisation to Catholic University and the University of was born on the 9th September federation, and beyond. Sao Paolo. 1945 in New South Wales. He Throughout his lifetime he continued The one topic in history other than Rwas the son of Frederick Ronald and to collect and edit this music. The totality music itself which was to dominate his life Dorothy Margaret Divall. He was of this editorial work amounts literally was the story of the Hospitallers of St John educated at Manly Boys School, the to hundreds of compositions. Some have of Jerusalem. This was the body which was Sydney Conservatorium of Music and been published by the Marshall-Hall Trust to become known as the Hospitaller Order the University of . with which he was closely connected, and of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Richard won scholarships to study another forty-five have been published Malta. Opera in Paris and in London where he by Monash University, and others by the Richard soon learned that the studied under Sir . In Lyrebird Press. The remainder of this Hospitallers began their work in Jerusalem 1972 he was appointed Music Director labour of his musical love will be published in about 1050, well before the . of the , a position he posthumously as part of Richard’s legacy to They were a group of monastic religious held for over twenty five years. Later he Australia. who provided care and shelter to pilgrims was the principal Resident Conductor for Through Richard’s editorial work arriving in the suffering . we have come to know something of the from injuries, disease and hunger. These Richard had an innate love of sounds of Australia in the nineteenth Hospitallers were led by a remarkable history, and a pride in Australia as his and early twentieth centuries, the works man called Fra’ Gerard whose work was homeland. About the same time as Roger of composers who contributed so much sponsored by merchants of the Maritime Covell’s seminal book Australia’s Music to the cultural development of Australia, Republic of Amalfi. They were known was published in 1967, Richard started including Nathan, Charles Horsley, collectively as the Hospital a word which what was to become a lifelong habit of Fritz Hart, G.W. Marshall-Hall, and at that time meant a place of shelter. This fossicking in libraries, archives, and any . In this scholarly Hospital was located near the Church of kind of private repository, amassing endeavour, Richard was one of the greatest St and the Hospital soon a huge collection of music composed champions of Australian musical heritage adopted St John the Baptist as its Patron in Australia, particularly during the that this country has known. Saint.

14 HERALDRY

Richard was already collecting books those who were – or potentially were – about the Hospitallers of St John in the ‘rough sleepers’ specially designed new 1970s and even had some early coins of warm waterproof coats. The leaders and the Order. He had a copy of the famous volunteers, some fifty of which came Bulla of Pope Paschal II issued in 1113 from Newman College, followed the St formally establishing the Hospitallers of St Vincent de Paul Soup Vans which fed the John as a . At that time the homeless at various stops around the City. Hospitallers were not a military force and Frà Richard cheerfully took up the most were not involved in the Crusades. That arduous round being that serving North was to come later. Melbourne, Footscray and the Geelong Rd By 1980, Richard was extending his Caravan park. study to the Hospitallers’ expanding to Frà Richard was enriched by his hospitals providing medical care. In 1982 music and his faith and both of these Sir James Gobbo, as President of the were sustained by his deep love of history. Australian Association of the Order of Binding all this together was a great Malta, invited Richard to give the Oration capacity for friendship – and for loyalty. at the Association’s Annual Dinner in In the last years of his life he battled Melbourne. It was a superb address, Following his profession as a Knight of cancer, recovered, and then faced more entitled The Order of Malta and Medicine. Justice, Frà Richard Divall was awarded and different cancers and major spinal Thereafter Richard started on the a Coat of Arms by His Most Eminent surgery. Through this long and arduous journey of becoming a Catholic. This took Highness Frà Matthew Festing, Prince and period, he remained prayerful and drew over three years during which he had the Grand Master of the Order in 2011. strength from his prayers, and grateful for friendship and guidance of a wise and his many messages of further prayers and brilliant scholar, Msgr Frank Harman. in-Residence at Queens College where he best wishes. Richard was received into the Catholic was much admired as a scholar and friend. At FràRichard’s funeral two Telegrams faith on Tuesday 7th November 1989 here When he moved from Queens College to from Rome were read out. The first was in this great Cathedral. This happened an apartment in Parkville it was thought from His Most Eminent Highnes the to be the first Tuesday in November – he might lose contact. On the contrary, he Grand Master of the Order of Malta. It Melbourne Cup Day. For those who can kept up the links with his many friends at read as follows: only read history by reference to a racing Queens. In fact, far from losing contact, he ‘It is with great sadness that I have calendar, a horse called Terrific won the enjoyed a new title, ‘Radio Parkville’. learned of the passing away of our Cup that year. Richard’s involvement with the Order dear Confrere Frà Richard. He will be Those present at the ceremony at the of Malta deepened his interest in the missed by all members of our Order. Cathedral included , musical . He travelled to Please accept my heartfelt condolences Lady Potter, Lady Gobbo and Sister Fabian Malta frequently to research in the Maltese and my prayers for the happy repose of of the Sisters of Charity. Sister Fabian was archives and he soon won the respect and his soul. Frà Matthew Festing’ something of a legend in the world of friendship of many Maltese historians and The second telegram was from the Grand hospitals. Sir James Killen once described musicologists. His closest colleague in this Chancellor A.I. Frà John Critien and was her as being the only person he knew who regard was Msgr John Azzopardi, who in similar prayerful terms. could have run BHP alone with one hand was responsible for the two largest musical Right through his life, including his tied behind her back. archives on the island. time of grave ill health, Frà Richard’s wit There were other formidable ladies Among numerous other works, remained irrepressible. His sometimes who could not be present that day, but Richard edited the unknown church music quizzical approach was such as to lead who were Richard’s supporters and friends. composed on Malta by Niccolo Isouard, a wise priest who knew him well to This included Dame Elizabeth Murdoch better known for his operatic compositions comment – ‘With Richard, it is not a who was to honour Richard at her 100th later in life when he settled in Paris. This question as to whether he is ready for Birthday Celebration by seating him at a formed the basis of Richard’s PhD thesis God, but whether God is quite ready for place of honour beside her. at the College of Divinity Melbourne, Richard!!’ Moreover, at the Cathedral on that completed in 2013. The Maltese As to this, some guidance from above memorable day there were also two males Community in Melbourne, the largest in may have been provided. present – the Celebrant, Bishop George the world outside Malta, honoured Richard Almost at the end of his life, Richard Pell (as he then was) and Sir James Gobbo, for his work, both in Maltese music and in was at Caritas Christi surrounded by as the God-Parent. This day changed the Order of Malta. friends. A small group of Carmelite Sisters, Richard’s life. Frà Richard’s life in the Order of quite exceptionally, left their nearby He soon became a Knight of Malta and Malta had an obvious spiritual dimension, Monastery of prayer and contemplation ultimately became a Knight of Justice and but it also had a practical side. Like Frà and came to his bedside. They there sang took solemn vows and the title of Frà. Gerard, he was very much hands-on in the beautiful and moving hymn “Salve These vows imposed new spiritual participating in the works of the Order, Regina”. The Sisters had just left his bedside obligations on him, including daily especially amongst the sick and the poor. when Frà Richard breathed his last. attendance at Mass which thus led to new So for example, for some seven years Frà Richard, the Maestro, had links with Newman College within the Richard was one of several team leaders brilliantly orchestrated the final fall of the . His links with in Victoria’s Coats Program. This was curtain. that University had always been strong for a program for meeting the Homeless he was for many years and Artist- people of the city and personally giving

15 Confrere Paul Fitzgerald AM KMG 1922 - 2017 carer,’ said Paul. ‘She takes such good care of me, and I have the most wonderful family’ including seven children— Fabian, Marisa, Patrick (deceased), Emma, Edward, Maria and Frances, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Paul’s life is surrounded by portraits, and behind each picture is a story. Speaking of his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Pauk said it had been commissioned by ‘Bob’ Menzies. ‘I was painting Bob’s portrait and he said he’d never seen a decent portrait of the Queen he liked. I told him I could probably do it.’ It was the first of three portraits he painted of the Queen, including the official portrait for her Silver Jubilee year. Speaking of his portrait of American actress Vivien Leigh, Paul recalled her experience when visiting the Fitzgerald home. ‘Her first sitting was at 11 o’clock in the morning and Fabian—he was a little fellow then, about six years old—answered aul Fitzgerald AM KMG was one friendships that would help launch his the door for me. He said, “Come in, Miss of Australia’s most distinguished career in England. Vivien Leigh, will you have a cocktail?” portrait painters. During his career, In his first year there, Paul painted She always remembered that and we had a Pwhich spanned more than 60 years, Paul enough portraits to fund trips to France, good laugh about it.’ painted some of the world’s most notable Italy and —where he would soak Looking back over his life and career, figures including Queen Elizabeth II, up the famous galleries—and then return Paul said he’d been very blessed. And Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Pope John to London to paint again. Paul spent while he could not remember how many XXIII, Cardinal James Knox, Archbishop five years in London painting some of portraits of notables he had done, he , former prime ministers the Commonwealth’s most influential was ‘chuffed the other day when he met Sir Robert Menzies and Malcolm Fraser, people including Lord Gowrie, Australian somebody who said “we learn about you at and Sir James Gobbo — depicted in his Governor-General Sir William Slim and University”.’ robes as a Knight of Magistral Grace of his wife, Lady Slim, and Lieutenant- ‘I’ve had a wonderful life. I read an the Sovereign Order of Malta. Commander Michael Parker. article once, and it said, “life is a matter Born in Hawthorn in 1922, Paul was Paul had been friends with Michael of choices; you can choose to be happy or the second son of Frank and Margaret Parker and his sister Mary in Melbourne, unhappy”, and I chose happy. I always look Fitzgerald (nee Poynton) — his father when both families had lived near each on the bright side.’ was an art critic and journalist at The other in Kew. In London, Lieutenant Despite Paul’s experience of Argus and The Age. Paul was educated Parker was private secretary to Prince Parkinson’s and ‘lapsing health’, his good at Xavier College and studied portrait Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Mary, who had humour and positive attitude was evident painting at the National Gallery of attended Genazzano College, was pursuing during the later part of his life. His Victoria Art School from 1940-43 an acting and radio career with the BBC in Catholic faith has also played an important and then again from 1946-47 — the London when Paul arrived there. role in his life: ‘Goodness me, the whole of interruption was due to three years of Paul often reminisced that ‘everybody eternity is dependent upon it, and that’s a service in the Australian Army during in England knew Mary Parker. In England long time. My faith underpins everything I World War II. she did several films—I’ve seen her name do—we pray the Rosary every night.’ In 1949, Paul bought ‘the cheapest in lights on Shaftsbury Avenue and then Paul Fitzgerald was appointed a first-class ticket’ he could on a liner she worked on TV as an announcer. They Member of the Order of Australia and was bound for London. He intended to work also brought her out to Australia in 1956 made a Knight of Magistral Grace of the as a steward to help cover his fare, but to open the Olympic Games—she was the Order of Malta in 1997. He was a finalist Paul then decided to paint portraits of first woman on television in Australia.’ for the Archibald for Portraiture fellow passengers. In his own words, Both Michael and Mary are also among the in 1958, 1962 and 1972. He founded the Paul ‘thought that the fellow passengers long list of subjects Paul has painted. Australian of Realist Artists, where would certainly be able to afford a Paul and Mary married in the chapel he was president for seven years. His work portrait and they’d have nothing else to of Xavier College in 1957 and after 56 years is located in private and public collections do onboard.’ Paul painted two portraits of marriage, they still shone with deep nationally and internationally. and in the process established many new affection for each other. ‘She’s a wonderful

16 Confrere Thomas Hazell AO KHS KMG CMM 1936 - 2017 organisations, however it was to local Catholic culture and its history that Tom’ life was indelibly linked. A prolific author, written works by Tom on behalf of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and Melbourne Diocesan History Commission continue to be found in print and are now available on the internet. His knowledge of Gothic Revival architecture and understanding of the intricacies of heritage laws saw Tom become a driving force in the beautiful restoration of St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, West Melbourne. This was a project that saw Tom pour his heart and soul into and the restoration of the Church is a tribute to his vision, work and patience. Tom’s passion for his Church was not limited to its history. Tom was also a learned liturgist and was often called upon to assist the Archdiocese, his beloved St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Church, the Order of Malta and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in overseeing and stage managing complex Masses and installation ceremonies. An Italophilia, Tom was passionate about Italy and the Italian language, and over his lifetime made a significant homas (Tom) Andrew Hazell Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons). contribution to the promotion of Italian was a distinguished Member of The first in protocol and the second in language and culture – especially in his role the Australian Association of the protocol. Same, same, yet different. as President of the Dante Alighieri Society TSovereign Order of Malta since 1989. While at the Office of the Governor of (Melbourne) for 27 years. For his devoted Tom passed away on 28 September 2017, Victoria Tom served with distinction under passion for Italy and its people, Tom was aged 81. three Governors; Rear Admiral the Hon Sir decorated with the award of Cavalieri The son of Thomas Hazell Snr and Brian Stewart Murray KCMG AO (1982– Ufficiali Ordine al merito di Savoia (Knight Nora Josephine Dooley, Tom was born in 1985), the Hon Rev Dr Davis McCaughey Officer of the of Savoy), a the Cathedral parish of East Melbourne AC (1986–1992) and the Hon Richard dynastic order of the Royal ; and knew St Patrick’s Cathedral all his (Dick) McGarvie AC QC (1992–1997). the former the ruling house of Italy from life. Through the wartime years Tom His extracurricular work efforts 1861 to 1946. served as an altar boy at St Patrick’s and include the positions of Vice President In 1989 Tom was invested as a Knight at an early age developed a profound of St Paul’s Home for the Aged and the of Magistral Grace of the Order of Malta interest in Gothic Revival architecture, Assisi Centre for the Aged of Melbourne. and in 2004 was decorated with the the sacred liturgy of the For more than two decades Tom was the Commander’s Cross of the Order pro and the work of the architect William Honourable Secretary of the Melbourne Merito Melitensi (the Order of Merit of the Wilkinson Wardell. Diocesan History Commission. Tom was Sovereign Order of Malta) for his service Living in the shadows of the also a Member of the Board National Trust as National Master of Ceremonies to the Cathedral, Tom was a Parade College of Australia (Victoria) in the 1970’s and Order’s Australian Association. Tom was student and in 1953 was one of 41 1980’s, and involved himself closely with also a Knight of the Equestrian Order of students who completed their Leaving many of the Trust’s activities including the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Knight Certificate. as Chairman of the Trust’s Classification Commander of the Order of St Anna (a Tom’s working life could only be Permits and Acquisitions Committee and Russian imperial dynastic order), a Knight described as a stellar career, including commenced as a Trustee in February 1992 of the Order of the Eagle of holding the role of Deputy Official of the of the W.R. Johnston Trust, a role he (a Georgian royal dynastic order) Secretary to the held until his death. In their own obituary and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St from 1986 to 1995, which immediately to Tom, the Trust publically acknowledged Michael the Wing of (a Portuguese followed his 18 years as a Protocol an enduring debt owed to Tom for his many royal dynastic order). Officer with the University of Melbourne. achievements, recalling him as a highly On Australia Day 1999, Tom was made According to Tom, there were only knowledgeable and courteous friend and an Officer of the Order of Australia for two principal stages in his career after colleague. services to multiculturalism, the arts, the graduating from the University of Tom was involved in numerous Catholic Church and to the community.

17 18 Volunteers

Needed!!How are we meeting the challenge to attract and engage Young volunteers and members to the Order of Malta? There is a lot than can be learned from the experiences of our sister National Associations within the Order of Malta. Recently, Confreres Mark Switkowski KMG and Scott Samson KMG led discussions on behalf of the South Eastern Region with two young members from the French and British Associations.

ne of the biggest challenges facing important questions will help harness the the activities of the Sovereign Order rich and diverse skills that young people of Malta both in Australia and across can bring to the Order’s charitable works Othe Order’s worldwide National Associations programs through volunteering and is continuing to engage with young Catholics assist the Order, across volunteer-focused who are potential volunteers and future management issues to prepare our Order, in members of our Order. To meet this challenge particular the Australian Association, to be head-on, younger Members of the South ‘youth ready’. Eastern Region of our Australian Association Gonzague d’Harambure, a young have drawn on the experiences of two youth French Association Knight of Honour focused organisations within the Order in and Devotion and his family have a long Europe that have successfully engaged young association with the Order of Malta, and people over a substantial period of time as following the completion of his university both volunteers and younger members. degree in 2010 Gonzague volunteered Over the last few years younger members with the Order’s Chabrouh Camps for have led discussions with Gonzague the Disabled in . Gonzague d’Harambure, a former leader of the French became part of a 10-member international Association’s Paris-based youth movement team taking care of disabled people in and Fudakowski, former Chairman a psychiatric hospital. One year later of the British Association’s Order of Malta Gonzague became Team Leader France Volunteers, to help to clarify the particular for all youth related activities caring for challenges our young volunteers and Members people with a disability. Throughout face, what might motivate them to volunteer 2011, Gonzague was responsible for 50 or join the Order and the all important issue volunteers, coordinating weekend activities, of how best to reach young Catholics through organising the French Association’s summer traditional and social media, language and camps for disabled malades and joining the networks. Association’s annual pilgrimage to Lourdes It is hoped that the answers to these to care for disabled malades.

19 The French Association’s Paris-based it is a core principle that volunteers will join six to seven activities every year which youth group is made up of members and in activities when they feel like coming… range in size from 20 people to 250. volunteers aged between 18 and 35 years and participating doesn’t feel like an The OMV’s volunteers take on a large old and participate in more than 10 separate obligation.” proportion of the physical care needs of its programs, including serving breakfast By comparison Britain’s Order of disabled guests attending its activities and (tea, coffee, bread rolls) on weekends Malta Volunteers (the OMV), explains events. “The OMV provides training and from selected churches to Paris’ homeless, Adam Fudakowski, actively encourages volunteers work in teams”, Adam explained. serving meals from a dedicated canal it volunteers to enter into a ‘Volunteering “Every volunteer finds their first outing a boat to the homeless, supporting doctors Agreement’ – between the OMV and each steep learning curve, but this challenging providing medical advice to homeless after volunteer. The OMV Volunteers Policy element is central to the mission of the hours, taking disabled Parisians on cultural document outlines the arrangement OMV and a reason why so many of its visits each Sunday afternoon, visiting the between Volunteers and the OMV, volunteers return year after year.” elderly and retired priests, and participating including the provision of induction Key to the successes of both the French in the annual international summer camp. and training, supervision, support and and British volunteer organisations is their Young members and volunteers also flexibility, and the health and safety of public affirmation as Catholic organisations. participate in the spiritual activities of the volunteers, as well as what the OMV Both Gonzague and Adam took pains to French Association, attending the Chapel in expects of its volunteers. highlight that their organisations work the Louvre, weekly vespers and the Order’s Established in 1974, the OMV was hard to ensure that everyone has space to annual retreat in preparation for Easter. founded with two core aims to give think about and discuss their faith and that To get people involved in the volunteer people with disabilities opportunities both organisations have built up strong programs, the Order holds a large function for experiences away from their day to chaplaincy teams to support them; their at the start of each year, organised by day lives and to give young people (17 – chaplains are also Magistral Chaplains the Youth President, to present the suite 29) the experience of caring for people within the Order of Malta. of activities to current and prospective with disabilities, of volunteering and of The French and British experiences volunteers. Social media plays a very large organising the activities and events to are just two that can provide a model for role in reaching out to family and friends, support those with disabilities. the Order in Australia. To help further as each current volunteer is encouraged to “Today these core aims have given rise develop the Australian Association to be spread the word. to a range of activities run every year”, says ‘youth ready’, both Gonzague and Adam Gonzague stresses that the principle Adam who was Chairman of the OMV left us with a number of recommendations behind getting people to sign up is that while at university and is now on the that if implemented will help ferment a when new volunteers register there is OMV’s Board of Trustees. The OMV runs a growing youth wing within the Order and no compulsion for people to commit to range of different activities and fundraising encourage volunteering in the activities of an event more than once. “Nothing is events, each one committed to providing the Order. (Gonzague and Adam’s eight mandatory,” says Gonzague. “You can go care and friendly support for the terminally recommendations are outlined on page 22.) once and leave it there, or go 2 times a ill and for adults and children with year… you don’t have to come every time… disabilities. The OMV runs approximately

20 ORDER OF MALTA VISION 2050 INTRODUCING VISION 2050 www.orderofmaltavision2050.com

Vision 2050 is an international and borderless platform for all young members and volunteers of the Order of Malta.

Find Vision 2050 on Facebook

IDEAS & SUPPORT It provides support and financial assistance for the young members and volunteers involved in both the local and international activities of the Order, enabling them to come JOIN THE together, share best practices and collaborate CONVERSATION in their activities and discussions. Over 200 young members and GLOBAL volunteers of the Order of Malta, from over 30 different countries, have come NETWORK together for meetings and webinars, Vision 2050 also offers to share best practices, collaborate in younger members and their local and international activities, volunteers – the future and discuss the future of the Order. leadership of the Order These collaborations have been led by – an opportunity to young members and volunteers who are contribute their views on very active, both in their own National how the Order can adapt Associations or Priories and in the and thrive in today’s world Order’s international activities. and in the future. Gonzague & Adam’s recommendations to create young, willing volunteers!

8Being ‘youth Challenegs for 1ready’: making 2 the Association’s roles accessible branches: keeping and speaking up volunteer ‘Generation (Gen) Y’ momentum Our discussions comparing the experiences For the Order of Malta, there seem to be some of young French and British volunteers to our Australian-specific challenges within the size Australian experience, suggest that young and scale of the Association across eight states Australian Catholics are not particularly and territories, particularly in maintaining different to other volunteers in experiencing confidentiality and sensitivity when the challenge of making time to volunteer volunteering within smaller communities, and Targeting and no different in what motivates them to maintaining volunteers’ momentum between volunteers. Interestingly, their motivations the infrequent state event-based opportunities 4 recruitment is key are often different to older volunteers, with and between the relative difficulties in To successfully recruit more young people, more value for most young people focused on creating volunteering opportunities that are volunteers in France and Britain suggested skill development, as well as giving something nationwide, when compared to many of the to both the Order’s Paris Youth organisation back to the community/pursuing personal Order’s European National Associations. and the OMV that their application processes interests/being with friends. But there may be need to be kept as short as possible. Targeted particular issues to address in creating young recruitment is essential to attract young willing volunteers, including reassuring their Volunteering people into the Order’s volunteering activities. confidence through offering peer ambassadors Digital and non-digital recruitment mixes, and mentors, accessing their influencers 3 in the digital using existing peer networks, schools, (including schools and universities, families universities and the families of the Knights and peer groups), adapting the length or age: embracing and Dames of our Order have been very regularity of their volunteer role to address websites and successful in recruit young volunteers and their transient time commitments, addressing a web presence was key as a first port of call their access to transport and understanding social networking for promoting and supplying information; how young people prefer to communicate – in personal approaches through peer networks, terms of media and styles. Understanding how to effectively use schools and families were more successful for digital communication media to target local, community-focused activities. Using young volunteer audiences is clearly a huge young people as ambassadors, talking about development area for the Order’s volunteer what they get from their roles, helps potential activities; although this is by no means unique young people to put themselves in volunteers’ to the Australian Association, the current shoes. Having a personal point of contact lack of consistently provided web-based within the Order’s youth movement was key information and application processes and for maintaining young people’s interest once the under-use of social networking, such as they had made contact. Facebook, for keeping volunteers updated, is clearly showing as a disconnect with Baby Boomers and Generations X, Y and Z.

22 Young volunteers Learning and Measuring 5 without overly 7 development: a 8 success in youth Gonzague & Adam’s restrictive key selling point volunteering: boundaries and benefit developing a A key learning from both the French and The range of personal and vocational skills relationship with recommendations British experiences suggest there may be a volunteers gain through their experiences – all disconnect between what young people say key skills for young people in their transition the Order of Malta they are looking for from volunteering and to adulthood and in becoming active citizens for life the level of confidence the organisation’s – highlights that an organisation like the to create young, leaders have in what opportunities they feel Order of Malta has something to offer young The feedback received by both the French they can offer that would be a fit for young people. The issue is identifying the skills and the British youth wings were extremely people. Both Gonzague and Adam were of the that can be developed and articulating them positive. The vast majority felt they would opinion that the majority of young volunteers effectively to potential young volunteer. continue to volunteer with the Order after did not place any boundaries around the type Vicarious learning through experiences was their current role, so they were all on the of activities they would consider participating the most common way to learn. In Britain, way to making a habit for life. In France, willing volunteers! engagement was often more important than in, as long as they felt they were able to the experience gained though volunteering contribute, it was a positive volunteering with disabled people of all ages and being able retention in gauging success with many experience and was a practical fit for their to learn through peer mentoring was valued volunteers and their measure of success is not abilities and their lifestyle. by the young volunteers and, where formal simply with numbers of volunteers, but also training was provided, the key was to make diversity in volunteers through to the quality it brief, fun and as practical as possible. The of their interactions and positive exits. Creating positive OMV’s successful rate of return volunteers has 6 experiences: been a tribute to this practice. understanding a volunteer’s motivations, roles, tasks and benefits The French and British experience suggests that to create a positive volunteering experience for young people, the Australian Association needs to understand, not only what is inhibiting young people from volunteering (for example, time, transport, confidence) and what is motivating their volunteers to want to contribute (personal or community-based reasons, or a mixture of both), but also what their volunteers want from their experience. For some volunteers the attraction will be an activity’s personal features, such as flexibility, having interesting tasks and opportunities for skills development, being listened to and feeling acknowledged, enjoyment. For others it may be community-orientated features, such as making a difference to their community, being with friends, ensuring opportunities for co- working, and seeing outcomes for themselves and others. Using volunteers’ motivations we can distinguish what are the volunteer ‘types’ (in any and all age groups) who are attracted to working with the Order of Malta. This may help the Order to target promoting volunteering with the Order of Malta and the design of volunteer roles in our activities, as well as ongoing support and development.

23 Sleeping Rough On any given night across Australia, more than 105,000 people are homeless, with 6% sleeping on the streets. The Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, its Members, volunteers and supporters are working to improve their circumstances, because we believe everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home.

24 Sleeping Rough On any given night across Australia, more than 105,000 people are homeless, with 6% sleeping on the streets. The Australian Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, its Members, volunteers and supporters are working to improve their circumstances, because we believe everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home.

alking the streets of any of it is not surprising that so too homeless Australia’s capital cities today and numbers are also increasing. your attention will be immediately Unsurprisingly, the rate of homelessness Wcaptured by the plight of the number of rough recorded between the previous two national sleepers you encounter. In some of our cities, censuses of 2006 and 2011 saw the rate walking by these poor souls without your increase across the country by 8%, from heart going out to them can be extremely hard 89,728 people designated as homeless to and the many unanswered questions to their 105,237. In breaking down the figures on a current situation and plight are just as difficult State by State basis Victoria recorded a 20.7% to comprehend. rise in homelessness, NSW 20.4%, while the On 7 June 2016, a City of Melbourne ACT and Tasmania saw the biggest spike in survey counted 247 people (195 men and 35 homelessness, recording 70.6% and 32.9% women, as well as 17 people they were unable respectively. to identify without being intrusive) sleeping The causes of homelessness are varied and rough in Melbourne’s Central Business can often be the product of more than one District. Three years ago, the City Council cause, including domestic violence and family had undertaken the same count on the same breakdown, poor physical and psychological day and the count was 142. In 2014 this was health, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual considered the highest result in the survey’s abuse and childhood trauma, gambling and six-year history. This year’s survey recorded a financial hardship, and a lack of available and 73% increase. affordable housing. And just as these causes A similar street count undertaken by the can precipitate homelessness, they can also City of Sydney found 394 rough sleepers in ensure it endures. August of this year. Sydney undertakes its The work of the Australian Association survey twice a year and the August result of the Order of Malta and their distribution reported a count lower that the 486 counted of specially designed winter coats, to be earlier in the year (February), but higher than distributed to rough sleepers, has brought any previous count since February 2010. the Order’s many members and volunteers in The term “homelessness” includes those direct contact with the men and women who who are designated as rough sleeping but are laying their heads at night on the toughest also those who are located in unsafe and/or of street corners, hardest of concrete steps and insecure accommodation, such as boarding coldest of public parks. houses, refuges, motels, caravan parks, and Members supporting the hands-on family and friends’ spare rooms or couches. distribution of coats to the homeless in And, as the increase in rough sleeping is a Melbourne have heard firsthand the personal visible manifestation of the wider problem, stories of hardship from many rough sleepers

25 considered whether he should seek out somewhere more permanent to live. However, this too has been an issue for Connor who solely relies on a Newstart Allowance income, which for a single person with no dependents is $528.70 a fortnight. According to Catholic Social Services Victoria, the fortnightly Newstart Allowance amounts to half of what the Government’s own Treasury figures consider poverty-level income for a single person. The allowance is also approximately 40% of the current minimum wage. Newstart recipients, like Connor, often need to pay up to 90% of their allowance on rent and this is contributing to the increasingly impoverished plight of so many men and women who choose life on the streets as a lifestyle choice so as to save a bit of money. As Connor told Brendan, “there’s not much left over for food and bills if I was to choose to pay rent, is there?” And Connor realises that his own plight is fraught due to his former drug and alcohol addictions and current reliance on methadone, both of which have made getting work impossible. “I want to give up sometimes,” Connor told Brendan, “but I also have a sense of self-worth.” Wearing the Order’s gift, the specially stories of hardship from many rough sleepers designed dark grey rain proof and wind on their weekly rounds that commence in both at home and on the streets. breaking coat, has given Connor and others May and depending on the temperature, Living and sleeping rough may be fraught like him on the streets a sense of pride conclude in September. with violence and danger, but for Connor it that they not only vsomething new – not a Confrere Brendan Rowswell KMG, means freedom. He is on the public housing recycled jacket – but an item designed with who together with his wife Consoeur Sara waiting list, but it could be years before an their specific needs in mind. Rowswell DMG, entered the Order as as a appropriate vacancy arises. In 2017 alone Knight and Dame of Magistral Grace at the the waiting list for a house or appartment in (*Connor is a pseudonym for one of the recent National Assembly in Brisbane, is Victoria was over 30,000 names long. Coats for the Homeless Program’s clients in a passionate advocate of the Coats for the Connor has spent the colder nights Melbourne. Permission was sought before the Homeless program. In assisting with the this winter in overnight accommodation, publication of this article.) distribution of coats Brendan struckup a better known as homeless shelters and has friendship with long-term Victorian rough sleeper Connor* during his many coat rounds. As a rough sleeper in Melbourne, Connor’s personal story of prolonged homelessness, of more than 16 months of living on Melbourne’s city streets, has its roots in a heady mix of drug taking and parental violence that resulted in his current drug and alcohol addiction. Connor spoke of his first experimentation with drugs when he was 16. “My brother gave me my first hit of Ecstasy while at a school party, but I quickly moved on to harder substances like heroin. It took me years to get clean and I have been lucky to have been on methadone for two years” Connor told Brendan. Connor, now in his early 30s and originally from Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, commenced his life on the streets to escape a violent home life and a father who couldn’t emotionally communicate with his drug addicted son. He showed Brendan the scars from his life

26 give warmth comfort& this winter www.orderofmalta.org.au

The Order of Malta is a Public Benevolent institution and is endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient. ABN 37 142 209 121. Licence: SA - CCP1722, WA - 21310. ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA

I WANT TO HELP Name You can make a donation by completing this form and returning it to: Address The Australian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta State Postcode Telephone PO Box 257 SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 Please find enclosed a Cheque/Money Order

I am happy for the Order to allocate my donation to (payable to the ‘Order of Malta’) for $ or where the need is greatest or Please accept a gift towards the Please debt my credit card the amount of $ Coats for the Homeless Frequency Once only Card Type Visa Hygiene Packs for the Homeless Monthly MasterCard Timor-Leste Medical Clinic Medicines for Timor-Leste Credit Card Number Camp for the Disabled 2018 REMEMBER, GIFTS OF $2 AND OVER ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Expiry Date Cardholder name I am interested in information about leaving the Order a bequest Signature X PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS O God, Who sent the power of the Gospel like a leaven into the world, rouse up new recruits in your Church in the spirit of the Order of Jerusalem to serve you by charity towards the sick and the poor and to proclaim without flinching your holy name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. y dear friends of the Order, this may be the last opportunity I have to contribute to our Order’s Australian Mpublication, the Australian Hospitaller and I have therefore asked my dear friend Confrere Scott Samson, the publication’s editor, to be faithful to the words as I have submitted them. As a professed Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, I feel a sincere duty to share with Members the special charisma and spirituality I have found within the first class of our Order – of those Members who have taken Profession as a Knight of Justice. In an essay written several years ago, “The Ritual Grand Master Frà Matthew Festing discussed his views on the first class of the Order. The Grand Master characterised a Knight of Justice as ‘a monk in the world— a layman who has dedicated himself to the life of the Order and the service of God and the Church of Profession” through the Order’. His reflection has captured the work and mission of a Knight of Justice, however his Vocations to the First Class message also has a sincere relevance to the Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CMM, Australia’s only Knight of Justice, asks a spiritual life of all members of a Order; our question of those Knights amongst our number who are confirmed bachelors Religion. and who are familiar with the twin mottoes of our Order – Obsequium Pauperum The very elements that characterise and Tuitio Fidei – should ask himself ‘Should I try my vocation as a Knight of religious life as a Knight of Justice today were Justice?’ Instead of there being a mere fifty Knights of Justice in the Order of confirmed over 900 years ago with the bull Malta, many of them relatively elderly, there should be, and Frà Richard hopes Piae Postulatio Voluntatis. It was through fervently, will be many more. the acts and words undertaken by Blessed Gerard and his companions, in their vows, placed themselves at the service of the poor, that what we understand as the vocation and spirituality of a Knight was established and has continued to the present day. Like Blessed Gerard and his companions, Knights who choose to enter the first class though Profession make a permanent commitment, expressed by taking vows, to aspire to the perfection of Christian life; the consecration of oneself to a specific task that constitutes the Order’s charisma – in this specific case, obsequium pauperum; and the formation of an authentic among those who, animated by the same ideal, have taken on the same obligation. It is essential to understand that the Order’s future depends today on how these elements, belonging to every form spot or blemish.” Cardinal Laghi, wrote in the Order’s Journal of real religious life, are lived within it. When Frà Giovanni Francesco Abela, a of Spirituality Number 9 (2008): More explicitly: without the vocations of native Maltese who occupied the influential “In a religious and Christian the Knights of Justice – who are the only office of Vice-Chancellor of the Order, wrote sphere, and in the light of the Word of religious in the full sense of the word in our the first book about the history of Malta, he God, ‘vocation’ indicates the action by Order – the Order would no longer exist as emphasised in his introductory dedication which God calls someone, on his loving a religious order. In a more positive sense, it how honoured Malta should feel at having initiative, and the response of that person is just as important to understand that the become the seat ‘of the most exclusive, and in a dialogue of loving and responsible vocation of the Professed pervades the entire noble blood of Christendom’. participation. In this sense God is Order, and that the ideal expressed by the Similarly, the French translation of indicated as ‘He who calls’: He calls us to call to become a Knight of Justice enables all Bosio’s Historic published by Jacques d’Allin life, to existence, to perform a role in the members, whatever their level of commitment as Histoire des Chevaliers de l’Ordre de S. history of salvation, ‘according to his own in the Order, to understand better their own Iean (Paris, 1659), stated that the Order design and the grace bestowed on us in vocations with the possibility that they too was ‘composed of the most pure and the Christ Jesus’ (2 Timothy 1:90). might be called to the first class as a Knight of most valorous of all the Nations of My brother Knight of Justice, Frà Duncan Justice and be embraced and clothed by the Christendom’. The Commander Jean Baptiste Gallie further expounded in the Journal “Ritual of Profession”. le Mariner de Cany, in his Reflexions D’un of Spirituality Number 10 (2009) on The Ritual of Profession testifies to Chevalier de Malte (1689), emphasised how encouraging members to ‘discern’ their the Spirituality of our Order. The Ritual of nobility of blood was associated with the ongoing roles, activities and vocations within Profession in fact says: Order of Malta. the Order. “This mantle which we have put on According to Frà Cesare Magalotti, in Frà Duncan points to Obedience and your shoulders is the symbol of the camel- a letter addressed to the Pope, the Order of Justice as potential choices for knights and hair garment with which our patron, St Malta was ‘the flower of the most select, and dames in the context of God’s specific call to John the Baptist, was clothed while in the the most eminent nobility of all Christendom’. ‘each one of us to play a definite role that He desert. Therefore, on taking this cloak, Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century has foreseen from all eternity’. you renounce the pomp and vanity of this authors were fascinated by the Order of This ‘call to holiness’, which is perhaps the world; and I command you to wear it at Malta’s history, character and composition most important theme of the Second Vatican the required times; thus your body being and they emphasized the exclusive nature Council, is a universal call. Thus, it is a call to wrapped in this [cloak] it will remind you of the nobility that was required to join this all members of the Order, and answering it to follow our Patron Saint John the Baptist organisation. This was describing a time requires discernment and prayer. It is my wish and to put all your hope for the remission when membership of our Order was offered that our Australian Knights sincerely consider of your sins in the Passion of Our Lord a unique genealogical cross-section of the their vocation within our Order. In the words Jesus Christ. European nobility. of Grand Master Festing, Take this cross and this habit in the Time has changed the Order and my “there are few hurdles to jump – you name of the Holy Trinity... I put on you own reception to the ranks of the Professed is do not have to live in community; you this cross on the left side of the heart so proof that a vocation to the first class is open can pursue your career if you wish; you that you may love it perfectly, and with to any Knight of Magistral Grace, of Grace can live in your own house. All you your right hand defend it, commanding and Devotion or Honour and Devotion. have to do is to love the Order and be you never to abandon it, because it is the The Grand Master and the leadership prepared to live your life as a proper real standard and flag of our Religion.” of our Order have called for members Catholic gentleman setting aside a small The original and historic version of the ritual to consider the first and second classes, part of each day for prayer and reflection. for the reception of the Knight reads: Professed Knights, and Knights and Dames Nothing could be easier and it remains a “This cross was ordered to us white as in Obedience. This requires careful reflection mystery to me that we are not overflowing a sign of purity, which you must wear as and prayerful decision-making, as the Order’s with vocations!” much in your heart as externally, without then Cardinal Patronus, Pio

29 NOW OPEN

ore than a decade after several senior Government Ministers, Timorese staff. independence, Timor-Leste Vice-Ministers and Heads of Foreign “This is a great start, but we need has made significant progress, Missions. further funding and more volunteers to Mbut still faces challenges to improve “The Order of Malta is very pleased to ensure that we can serve more people who access to comprehensive health care for be able to deliver this vital health project are in desperate need and expand our the Timorese people. to the people of Timor-Leste,” Confrere range of services. There is much more to Maternal and infant health is of David Scarf said. “It is the most recent be done.” real concern with Timor-Leste’s child of a number of projects which the Order The clinic currently employs seven mortality rates being ten times those of has had the privilege to undertake in doctors, three nurses, an ambulance Australia. Forty-five percent of pregnant Timor-Leste over recent years including driver as well as trained admin staff. women in Timor-Leste cannot access the building of an orphanage in Hera, a It is guided in its work by a medical ante-natal health services. birthing clinic in Malabe, a tuberculosis advisory committee based in Australia, Thanks to an initiative led by the clinic in Venilale, and the establishment which comprises five specialist medical Order of Malta, improved health access of a scholarship program which we call practitioners, a nurse, and includes a is now being delivered from a brand ‘Creating Leaders.’ former Dean of an Australian University new ‘best practice’ medical clinic in “The clinic will provide free medical School of Medicine. Dili, the country’s capital. The facility care to all Timorese families, with a special The new clinic is another milestone was designed by Australian architects emphasis on the provision of medical care for the Order of Malta, the oldest medical specialising in healthcare infrastructure for women and children. The focus on mission in the world, having opened its and built in accordance with the maternal and neo-natal care will address first hospital in Jerusalem in 1048 and guidelines of the Royal Australasian a significant gap in the services currently its mission to alleviate the suffering of College of General Practitioners. It is available in Dili. There will also be up- the poor and sick, without judgement, managed and operated by the Order of skilling and training programs for the distinction of religion, race or politics. Malta. This project was made possible through the generosity of the Jape Family, based in both Darwin and Dili, who provided the premises at no cost to the Order of Malta. Their significant contribution was made in the memory of the late Mr Jape A Lem, the grandfather of the present generation of the Jape Family. The clinic was officially opened on 7th November 2017 by H.E. Confrere David Scarf AM KMG, the Order’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, in the presence of over 100 people including

30 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA

THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION

2017 IN REVIEW

31 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA

he last 12 months saw a change in Office Bearers, under direction of H.E. the Lieutenant of the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council, in a meeting of the TSovereign Council held on the 13th of June 2017.

Office Bearers up to 13 June, 2017: Office Bearers fROM 13 June, 2017:

President: President: Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob) Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob)

Vice-Presidents: Pro-Chancellor: Confrere Dr Damian Benson KMG(Ob) Confrere Sean Farrell KMG Confrere David Hall AM KMG Confrere the Hon Justice Martin Daubney KMG Pro-Treasurer: Confrere the Hon Gregory Crafter AO KMG Confrere Paul Reid KMG

Chancellor: North Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Paul Hoy AM KSG KMG Confrere Derek Pingel KMG

Treasurer: Central Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere David Hall AM KMG Confrere Dr Robert Costa KMG

Hospitaller: South Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Dr Ian Leitch RFD KMG(Ob) Confrere Sauro Antonelli AM KMG

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS UP TO 13 JUNE, 2017: Central Southern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Andrew Evans KMG Confrere Damian Wyld KMG Confrere Sean Farrell KMG Confrere Paul Hoy AM KSG KMG Central Northern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Robert Kirby KMG Consoeur Maria Randazzo DMG Confrere Peter Little KMG Confrere Dr Ian Leitch RFD KMG Director of Communications: Consoeur Prof Gabrielle McMullen AM DMG Confrere Daniel Kwok KMG(Ob) Consoeur Christine Pingel DMG H.E. Confrere David Scarf AM KMG Alternate Director of Communications Confrere Frank Zipfinger KMG Confrere Anthony Gerada KMG(Ob)

Director of Communications: H.E. Confrere David Scarf AM KMG

32 Introducing the Transitional Council Arrangements

n the 14th of June 2017, the Grand TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL Chancellor Confrere HE Albrecht The Lieutenant of the Grand Master and Freiherr von Boeselager wrote to the Sovereign Council have approved the Othe President of the Australian Association, following appointments to the Transitional Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall AM AE Council of the Australian Association: KC*SG KGCMG(Ob), to inform members of the Australian Association of the decision of Pro-Chancellor: H.E. the Lieutenant of the Grand Master and Confrere Sean Farrell KMG the Sovereign Council, in a meeting of the Sovereign Council held on the 13th of June Pro-Treasurer: 2017, to suspend the process of instituting Confrere Paul Reid KMG new Statutes of the Australian Association and to suspend the Association’s Executive North Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Council. Confrere Derek Pingel KMG For the period of suspension of the Executive Council of the Australian Central Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Association, the Sovereign Council also Confrere Dr Robert Costa KMG resolved to appoint in its place a Transitional Council to govern the Association. South Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Such suspension means that the operation Confrere Sauro Antonelli AM KMG and powers of present members of the existing Council, in that capacity and as Central Southern Regional Hospitaller: Directors and Members of the Australian Confrere Damian Wyld KMG Association of the Order of Malta Limited and of the office bearers and Councillors Central Northern Regional Hospitaller: named as members of the Executive Council Consoeur Maria Randazzo DMG under the present Statutes of the Australian Association, including the positions of the Sovereign Council has also approved four Vice-Presidents, Chancellor, Treasurer the creation of the Office of Director of and Hospitaller, are pro tempore suspended Communications and the Office of Director of and replaced by the Transitional Council. Associates, Volunteers and Youth. The Grand At the same time, the Sovereign Council Magistry has expressed that it sees both these decided that the President of the Australian areas as critical to the future development of Association, Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall, the Order and the expansion of our charitable shall remain in office, under the guidance of works, both at a local and global level: Confrere Simon Grenfell who has been made available for advice and consultation. Director of Communications;

The Transitional Council will have the Confrere Daniel Kwok KMG(Ob) Photo Credit: Christoph Papsch,Handelsblatt 18 February 2017 same powers of the Executive Council and will govern itself, complying with the Statutes Alternate Director of Communications: that are currently in force. The Transitional Confrere Anthony Gerada KMG(Ob) Council will be composed of Regional Hospitallers and other Officers, as approved Director of Associates, Volunteers and Youth: by the Sovereign Council. Currently Vacant ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Association President: Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob)

or interstate attendees Brisbane Not least among those whose active provided competition to Venice as the support contributed to the success of the venue for the 2017 General Assembly of 2017 General Assembly was Mrs Judith Fthe Australian Association of the Sovereign Marshall, wife of the Australian Association’s Order of Malta with perfect weather and President Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall and a well-chosen hotel on the banks of the Mrs Rosemary Daubney, wife of the Chair Brisbane river to welcome 136 delegates of the Conference Confrere the Hon Martin and their families and friends, attending Daubney KMG. from States and Territories in Australia and from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, THE INVESTITURES Thailand and Timor-Leste . Confrere H.E. The organisation of the Promise in Obedience Simon Grenfell was present from the Order’s and Vigil ceremonies on Friday 23 June and Management Committee in Rome. the Installation of new Knights and Dames In a striking demonstration of the on Saturday 24 June and the Solemn Mass on strength of the Order and the diversity of Sunday 25 June were deeply spiritual reverent its works in our region under the Grand and faultlessly executed. Chancellor H.E. Confrere Albrecht Freiherr Eight members made the Promise in von Boeselager, the Assembly was also Obedience on Friday 23 June 2017 and were attended by His Grace Archbishop Mark admitted to the Australian Subpriory of the Coleridge, Chief Chaplain ad interim and Immaculate Conception as Knights or Dame Archbishop of Brisbane, newly consecrated in Obedience. Bishop Kenneth Howell – a Conventual Confreres Dr Michael J Campion, Damien Chaplain of the Order using the Order Fogarty, Dr Stephen Gatt, Anthony Gerada, of Malta crozier made for the former Richard Hall, Daniel Kwok, Dr Ian Leitch, Archbishop of Hobart, Archbishop Eric and Consoeur Deirdre Page all made the D’Arcy and kindly made available by Confrere Promise in Obedience before the Subpriory’s Tom Hazell - and Fathers Malcolm Fyfe from Procurator Confrere H.E. Professor David Darwin, Allan Winter from , John Kissane. O’Connor from Christchurch, New Zealand Twenty new members were admitted into and Peter L’Estrange SJ AO from Canberra. the Order as Knights or Dames of Magistral Also present and participating were Grace on Saturday 24 June 2017, the Feast of H.E. Msgr Ante Jozic, Head of the the Nativity of St John the Baptist: Study Mission in Hong Kong and, as our The following new members were Assembly’s after dinner speaker at the Formal admitted from Australia: Louise Boffa, Joe Dinner, H.E. Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Cashman, Stephen Chiew, Dalton Fogarty, Apostolic to Australia. Elizabeth McCarthy, Kathlyn McCarthy, Hosts for the Assembly were Confrere Christopher McMahon, John Murphy, Tanya H.E. Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG Murphy, Brendan Rowswell, Sara Rowswell, KMG(Ob), the Branch of the Paul Sant, Kathryn Scutt, Dr Mary Tonti- Australian Association represented by Filippini, Vincent Volpe, Paul Zammit Confrere the Hon Justice Martin Daubney The following new members were KMG, the Organising Committee constituted admitted from New Zealand: Belfiore by Confreres Richard Palk CSM KMG, Bologna, Rob Farrell, Bevan Killick, Abina Anthony Gerada KMG (Ob), Michael Pope. (regrettably Michael Potts was delayed Greene KMG, Danny Higgins KMG and in transit and will be invested in New Zealand Consoeur Christine Pingel DMG, as well as at a date to be fixed) the Hospitality Committee in charge of the The investiture ceremonies were most greatly appreciated Partners Program Mrs ably directed by Confrere Robert Kirby KMG Helen Palk and Mrs Teresa Gerada. as the Australian Association’s Master of

34 Ceremonies, assisted by Confrere Michael Prof David Kissane spoke as a clinician on Magistral Chaplains of the Order of Malta in Greene KMG as well as Confreres Dr Damian the euthanasia challenge represented by Australia present at the Assembly. The Choir Benson KMG(Ob) OMM and Mark Boffa legislation foreshadowed for introduction of St Stephens Cathedral was magnificently KMG as Masters of Postulants. The in Victoria in the second half of 2017 and conducted by Dr Andrew Cichy, the of Magistral Grace were conferred by the Confrere the Hon Greg Crafter AO KMG Cathedral’s Director of Music, who arranged President of the Australian Association, spoke of the Royal Commission on Abuse and directed a centuries-old chorale piece Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall assisted by of Minors and its likely financial cost to the composed for the Order of Malta and not Confrere Paul Hoy KMG. Catholic Church in Australia. previously performed in Australia. After the symposium there was a The Program presentation by Confrere H.E. Ambassador Summation The Assembly was addressed by Dr Ian Michael Mann AM KMG on the activities of This was a grace-filled occasion in which Elmer on the Gospel of St Mark, with a the Order of Malta in Asia. friendship among Members and their families reflection on the reading of the Gospels by This was followed by a presentation by was given a powerful spiritual orientation Rev Peter L’Estrange SJ AO; by Dr Sr Maeve H.E. Msgr Ante Jozic on the Church in China around the theme: “Remembering the Louise Heaney VDMF (ACU) and by Rev and on Sino-Vatican relations. Forgotten”. Dr Anthony Mellor (Academic Dean of Holy This was followed by an illustrated The success of the Brisbane National Spirit Seminary). presentation by Confrere H.E. Ambassador Assembly in so many ways was a tribute to In the afternoon of Friday 23 June David Scarf AM KMG on the Order’s Clinic the Queensland branch of the Order and Confrere Dr Ian Leitch RFD KMG(Ob) in Timor-Leste. its organising committee and the national gave a well received illustrated address on leadership shown by Confrere H.E. Dr Ian the Lourdes Experience with input from Ceremonies Marshall, supported at the National Assembly Young Order of Malta (YOOM) volunteer Joe The admission to the Promise of Obedience by Confrere H.E Simon Grenfell on behalf of Grogan. Confrere H.E. Prof David Kissane was conducted on the afternoon of Friday 23 Sovereign Council. spoke of the Subpriory of the Immaculate June at St ’s Church, Kangaroo Point, as Together Confreres Ian and Simon Conception and Ms Lisa Simpson spoke by was the Postulants Vigil on the same occasion. provided an analysis of the ongoing Skype from London on the Global Fund for The Investiture of Postulants was restructure of the Order of Malta Forgotten People. conducted on the afternoon of Saturday 24 internationally and the consequent On Saturday morning the Assembly was June at St Paschal’s Church, Wavell Heights, a reorganisation of the Australian Association; addressed by Archbishop Mark Coleridge, church decorated with a large 8-pointed Cross a work in progress which has been committed Chief Chaplain ad interim, on contemporary of the Order of Malta set in the centre of the by Sovereign Council to a Transitional challenges faced by the Church in Australia in main aisle some years earlier. Council. the context of Remembering the Forgotten. The Solemn Mass to conclude the General The admission of so many younger This was followed by a symposium Assembly was celebrated on Sunday 25 June members, especially those from different moderated by Confrere the Hon Justice 2017 by Archbishop Mark Coleridge and generations of the same family speaks well for Martin Daubney in which Confrere H.E. concelebrated by Bishop Ken Howell and the the future of the Order of Malta in Australia.

35 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA NORTH EASTERN REGION

North Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Derek Pingel KMG

he North-Eastern Region in our community. Members of the Order COATS FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM predominantly servicing the Order’s distribute small bottles of Lourdes water, FUND RAISING BREAKFAST needs throughout Queensland is one rosary beads and prayer cards. Each year our Order initiates and coordinates Tof Australia’s largest land mass areas with a a fundraising breakfast at which a keynote diverse mix of cities, rural towns and remote PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES speaker provides a tremendous insight into communities spread across 1853 km² with a Several Members made the Pilgrimage their particular field of endeavour. This year population nearing 5 million people. to Lourdes in 2017, and joining them for our Order invited guest speaker Damien The needs of the poor and the sick their very first experience were two of our Frawley, Chief Executive Officer of QIC throughout this region are substantial and young volunteers who provide generous who entertained with financial insights. The varied. Knights and Dames of the Order of assistance to our local Order. As is always breakfast was attended by over 120 people and Malta number 35 in total and in support there the case, the impact on those who attended fundraising in excess of $13,000 towards the are a good number of volunteers, many of was a tremendous spiritual blessing and life purchase of coats for the homeless. whom provide service as young volunteers. changing. Joseph, one of the young volunteers who attended, expressed his experience as OTHER MEMBER ACTIVITIES ORDER MASSES AND MEETINGS “My sister Alice and I cherished sharing The past 12 months have been a very testing Throughout 2017 we have continued with a the profound, tender yet indomitable, time for our faith and many of our Members commitment to Order specific Masses and blessings of Lourdes, with our Malades and contributed substantial time and money in member meetings following. These have fellow pilgrims. We returned from our 2017 the fight to defend our faith in the areas of proven to be an excellent opportunity for Lourdes pilgrimage with a new perspective the marriage equality debate, the campaign discussion, dissemination and coordination and renewed appreciation, illuminating the against euthanasia and the ongoing fight of priorities for the activities of our Order. A sanctity, humility and urgency of the Order’s against legalising abortion. total of five such events were conducted in Mission.” 2017. CARE PACKAGE INITIATIVE COATS FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM Members have agreed and endorsed a PARISH VISITS BY THE ORDER This year our North-Eastern Region program to develop unique and much- During any given year it is our aim to visit Queensland Members have increased their needed care packages for the homeless and at least two Parishes for a Mass and a “meet reach with the Coats for the Homeless disadvantaged, a program that will involve and greet” awareness program promoting program, distributing some 1600 coats to Member’s participation in the acquisition of the Order and its activities. This year our just over 30 separate outlets throughout product, sorting, packaging and distribution. Order conducted a very successful Parish Queensland. It was very pleasing to note that visit to St Gerard Majella Catholic Church there has been a significant increase in the COMMITMENT TO ASSIST THE at Chermside West where we celebrated number of members participating in these Mass and fellowship with a several hundred works assisting the homeless. parishioners. A brief understanding of the Simon National Carriers has again Order’s activities is explained from the pulpit provided an outstanding service in the and after Mass more informally during a transportation of coats throughout the morning tea. All Knights and Dames robe nation in a timely manner and for a heavily for these Masses, and this certainly creates discounted rate. David Simon, CEO of Simon interest and awareness, which in turn National Carriers stated it was his way of stimulates growth in membership. contributing to the great works of the Order in assisting those less fortunate than ourselves. LOURDES HEALING MASS This year’s fundraising for coats was Our annual Healing Mass was celebrated in hugely successful and the generosity of May with approximately 350 parishioners companies, businesses, parishioners and from throughout south-east Queensland. This other organisations has been overwhelming. Mass continues to be one of our Members This initiative continues to strike at the very highlights for the year, where we have the heart of our Order’s charism and continues to opportunity to mix with and support those gain tremendous support from the broader afflicted by chronic illness and suffering community.

36 CHRONICALLY ILL AT ST VINCENT’S McMorrow hosted this fantastic event. Many HOSPITAL BRISBANE thanks must go to him and his staff for their Our North-Eastern Region has a long- ongoing and outstanding commitment to the standing involvement with St Vincent’s Order. Hospital in Brisbane, formally named Mt Olivet hospital, and this involvement can NATIONAL BIENNIAL ASSEMBLY be attributed particularly as a result of the Much thanks goes to all of those who works of our dearly loved late Consoeur Tess volunteered their time and talent, dedicating Cramond. Her work in the palliative care significant effort in organising and field in this region was world class, and the coordinating the 2017 Assembly. This was legacy of her commitment and dedication a tremendous team effort and the entire lives on. Our Order continues in the provision event was well co-ordinated and enjoyed by of funding to assist those chronically ill and all present. Congratulations to all members dying with the hope of providing a better involved, and the result was an outstanding quality of life. In addition, members have success. recently unanimously resolved to initiate the Tess Cramond Memorial Fund to which it will BISHOP KEN HOWELL provide ongoing funds for assistance to the One of our long serving and dedicated patients of this hospital facility. Magistral Chaplains who has provided years of dedicated service to our Order was blessed ADVENT MASS AND DINNER to be appointed and ordained Auxiliary Each year our Order coordinates a very Bishop of Brisbane. Bishop Ken continues as special Mass and Christmas celebration a Chaplain to our Order for which we are so dinner with Archbishop Mark Coleridge. This very grateful. year over 80 members and guests gathered to 2018 will be a year of increased service celebrate on this wonderful occasion with the throughout the region, recognising the Archbishop and new auxiliary Bishop Ken opportunity to serve those in need. Howell. Parish Priest of St Paschal’s and long term chaplain of our Order Father Gerard

37 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA CENTRAL EASTERN REGION

Central Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Dr Robert Costa KMG

he past twelve months have been a by the Sanderson family and will begin year of success for the Central East operation in the Parramatta Diocese within Region. The activities continue to the next few months. Currently there is a Texpand with an increasing involvement by the drive to recruit volunteers from the Diocese to membership. staff the van.

Lourdes Day Mass Gorman and Tierney House The Lourdes Day Mass was again celebrated The weekly Barbecue continues at both in St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 2nd Gorman and Tierney House with volunteers December. The principal celebrant was offering support to help patients on the Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, our road to recovery from personal tragedy. Conventual Chaplain ad honorem, assisted The interaction between the residents and by our Magistral Chaplains, Mgr Anthony Members is beneficial in understanding how Doherty, Mgr Vincent Redden and Rev Dr people find themselves in such situations and Gerald Gleeson. The Mass was well attended how a friendly ear can help overcome some of by members, malades and the faithful. the issues the patients are faced with. All malades present received a personal Although Gorman House has become blessing ministered by one of the celebrants a medical unit within the structure of St and all received a bottle of Lourdes Water. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, the BBQs were felt to be a vital part of the remedial program that Coats for the Homeless and the Order was asked to continue with BBQs. Community Care Van The Coats for the Homeless has continued Order of Malta PARC (Prevention to grow with Coats being distributed and Recovery Care) individually by members, charitable Order of Malta PARC is a new initiative in institutions and other religious organisations conjunction with St Vincent’s Hospital to in suburban Sydney and regional NSW. help patients with mental health issues. This This year our area of distribution included “step-up and step-down” support service the Illawarra, Newcastle and Northern and will be built within a new residential unit North-western NSW. near the St Vincent’s Darlinghurst Campus. The coats are greatly appreciated and we It will promote early intervention to reduce continually receive requests from charitable acute admissions and provide rehabilitation groups for coats to distribute. care with medical supervision. Confreres Dr Confrere Malcolm Irving introduced and Robert Costa, David Hall AM and Robert organised coats to distribute in New Zealand Kirby were present and handed over a cheque this year and the concept was appreciated by to kick start the establishment of the centre. our New Zealand by members. This was made possible largely by a generous The Order of Malta Community Care Van donation by a friend of the Order. has been operating two evenings per week distributing Coats and hygiene packs. The van Award for Excellence in is supported by a registered nurse from St. Palliative Care Vincent’s Hospital and two members, at times, This prize is presented to nursing students assisted by prospective members or members at the University of Notre Dame Australia of the Young Order of Malta (YOOM). The Sydney Campus and the Australian Catholic van operates within the Sydney business University Sydney. In keeping with our district visiting areas known to be frequented Hospitaller Mission, recognition of excellence by the less fortunate and vulnerable members in studies through and awards enables of our society. the most dedicated students to receive A second van has been gratefully donated acknowledgement and rewards for their

38 academic achievements and is a wonderful guests. incentive for students to strive for excellence. 2017 Biennial National Assembly Central East Members have also been The award is presented yearly at the of the Australian Association active in their support for the many different School of Nursing’s Awards Night. The prize Many Central East Members attended the campaigns that have been aired this year in was originally awarded to the best essay biennial National Assembly of the Australian compliance with our Order’s Defence of the submitted specifically on a topic selected by Association in Brisbane in June 2017. Faith Mission. the Hospitaller Committee. Members were encouraged to “seek However, from this year, the prize has renewed insight into the Orders mission to Young Order of Malta been incorporated within the assessment of uphold human dignity and care for people in Members continue to assist the Executive of students undertaking the Palliative Care unit need”. the Young Order of Malta (YOOM). There is of study. currently a re-organisation within YOOM. The best three essays as selected by the Spiritual Activities & Defence of staff will be submitted to the Hospitaller the Faith Membership Committee for consideration of the award. The spiritual activities of the Central East The Admissions program continues to grow Region continued this year with the monthly in enhancing Region membership. St Joseph’s Hospital PCU First Friday Vigil at St Mary’s Cathedral. The preparation sessions were held which The ongoing relationship support with Vigil is celebrated by one of our Magisterial culminated with six postulants being invested St Joseph’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit Chaplains each month. Mass is also celebrated at the 2017 biennial National Assembly in continued this year. Discussions and plans are prior to the quarterly Central East meetings Brisbane. underway for the re-establishment of a garden which are held in the Chapel of the Sacred area attached to the unit. Heart Hospice in Sydney. Members also CENTRAL EAST REGION’S commemorated Mass for the Feast of the INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT Remembrance Mass Order’s Patron St John the Baptist and in The Central East Region has supported the The deceased Members of the Order and their conjunction with the Maltese Chaplaincy establishment of the Order of Malta Clinic in families were again remembered at special celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Philermo Dili, Timor-Leste. Members travelled to Dili Mass held in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart and our Lady of Victories in St Mary’s in November for the official opening of the Hospice that is also the spiritual home of the Cathedral. Clinic. Central East Members. In keeping with Regulation 3: “To The Clinic will be a great asset to the participate yearly at a retreat aimed at provision of healthcare to the people of Lourdes Pilgrimage deepening the inner spiritual life,” the Central Timor-Leste and be a greater benefit by up- Consoeurs and Confreres from NSW joined East Day of Refection was again held this year skilling Timorese healthcare workers. together with other Members of the Order to and was led by Rev Fr Geoffrey Plant. The day undertake the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. was attended by more than 30 Members and

39 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA SOUTH EASTERN REGION

South Eastern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Sauro Antonelli AM KMG

he year has kept us all very busy as the facilities throughout suburban Melbourne, Members through the donations made to the South Eastern Region continues to has been prepared for 2018. Coats Appeal in Victoria. It has not been our expand its care for those in need and to practice to list individual donations but I have Tinvolve more of our Members and volunteers Appointment of new Chaplain written to each donor personally where the in these important endeavours. At the Members’ final meeting of the year we donor’s identity was known. were pleased to present the Cross of the Order We followed our practice of always Medically Assisted Dying Bill to our newest Magistral Chaplain, the Very handing out Coats to the Homeless and Poor The Victorian Branch of the Order was Reverend Joe Caddy, STL EV PP, following personally through our Members and through actively involved during most of 2017 in approval from the Grand Magistry to his volunteers. The result was a memorable seeking to influence Victorian Members of nomination as Chaplain. The Chaplain’s Cross experience for our Members and volunteers. Parliament to reject the draft “Medically will be formally presented to Fr Joe at the next We modified our practice slightly by Assisted Dying“ Bill. Confrere Prof David Assembly of the Order in 2019. having our Members and volunteers always Kissane was especially prominent in this role wearing both one of our coats and the tabards bringing his specialist expertise in meetings, Mass of the Faithful Departed of the Order. Confrere Edward Finn who was one on one and in a variety of forums, with On Sunday, 5th November the Victorian wearing one of our coats handed over the coat politicians of all sides. members attended the annual Mass of the to a grateful beneficiary who wandered off. His tireless work needs to be Faithful Departed at the Carmelite Monastery Later, when it was time to go on to the next acknowledged and recognised. in Kew, celebrated by the Most Rev Terry stop, Edward discovered to his alarm that he While rejection of the draft legislation Curtin, Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of had left his car keys in the gifted Coat, the was ultimately unsuccessful with the Bill the Order. The Mass was well prepared by the new owner of which was nowhere to be seen. receiving approval at the end of November, Carmelite Sisters with a good attendance of After an anxious time, the new owner was the efforts by the Order and others resulted members, fully robed, and members of their discovered and the car keys were recovered! in some important amendments to the draft families and friends. During 2017, we serviced the City on Tuesday legislation. In particular we remembered Fra Richard and Thursday nights accompanying the St Thank you David and all the Victorian Divall and Confreres Tom Hazell and Paul Vincent de Paul vans. We also serviced the Confreres and Consoeurs who took an active Fitzgerald who passed to eternal life in 2017. North Melbourne stop, again with St Vincent role in seeking to halt the passing of this de Paul and on Monday evenings through legislation. Coats Campaign 2017 Confrere Prof David Kissane we serviced the The winter of 2017 was an especially severe St Kilda stop where the Capuchin Brothers Lourdes Day Mass, 2nd December one. It continued into spring so that the give out the food. Unfortunately the 2017 Lourdes Day Mass, demand for Coats has kept up well into The Mannix College rounds did not scheduled as in the past on the first Saturday September. The 2017 Campaign began begin this year until August because the of December at St Patrick’s Cathedral, did not with another strong endorsement from our Cornerstone Centre in Dandenong was closed go ahead. Melbourne, on that weekend, was expected to face an “unprecedented” storm according to the Bureau of Meteorology which led the Archdiocese’s administration to cancel the Mass the day before. A big thank you nonetheless to the 16 Confreres and Consoeurs that attended the working bee in the week preceding the Mass to pack 2500 gift packs that were to be distributed to the Mass attendees; and to Confreres David Blackwell OAM and Denis Fitzgerald in particular, for undertaking much of the organisational work associated with the Mass. In the meantime the schedule of Lourdes Masses which are celebrated in ten aged care

40 until then. The Australian Catholic University gratifying and we have a good linkage with law student volunteers also accompanied both groups of students which augurs well for St Vincent de Paul Vans once each week the future. in a City run and met the homeless and From early in May our first volunteer personally handed over coats. This program outings began. Every one found the was supervised by Confrere Geoffrey Horgan experience a rewarding one and some came a KMG assisted by Helen Milovanovic of the number of times. Vacation and Term Exams Australian Catholic University. temporarily suspended the participation of The numerous Members acted as Leaders student volunteers in part of June and July but during 2017. They had the responsibility of the runs continued through August and most servicing our stops and supervising both of September. other Members of the Order and enlisted I thank the Members and other Volunteers of the Order. supporters who have been so generous in their response to the Appeal for the Coats. Thanks to Coats Campaign I thank all the Members of the Order Leaders and volunteers who participated in the Coat Runs, especially • Consoeur Lilian and Confrere Confrere Sir James Gobbo AC CVO and look Sauro Antonelli AM forward to their continuing participation • Confrere Joseph Chiera in 2018. The South Eastern Region will • Confrere Gordon Edwards be placing an appeal for volunteers and • Confrere Brendan Ellis assistance during the first part of 2018 to get • Confrere Edward Finn ahead of the need and growing demand for • Confrere Paul Hoy AM our coats and the numerous other activities • Confrere Geoffrey Horgan QC of the Order in Victoria. • Confrere Sir James Gobbo AC CVO • Confrere Prof David Kissane Farewell Frà Richard Divall • Confrere Gerard and Consoeur Margaret It was with great sadness that the members O’Donnell of our Order said farewell to Australia’s only • Consoeur Prof Margaret O’Connor AM Knight of Justice Professed of Solemn Vows. Frà Richard passed away peacefully on the The number of the volunteers from 15th of January. Frà Richard will be sorely Newman College (38) and from the missed by all Members of the Australian Australian Catholic University (20) was very Association and the Order at large.

41 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION

Central Southern Regional Hospitaller: Confrere Damian Wyld KMG

he Central Southern Region for the luncheon program at its Moore Street experienced a busy year and I wish to premises in the Adelaide CBD. Food hampers congratulate all of the Order family are also delivered each week to many families Tin our Region for their sterling work in the and people in acute need. service of those in need. The garden is cared for by clients of the Our Members continue to play an active Adelaide Day Centre and at present there is role in the world around them, in Adelaide, a waiting list for volunteers. The Order has throughout the regions of and for many years provided funds for equipment beyond. for the garden. These funds have been supplemented by matching grants from the Garden of Mercy, Adelaide Macquarie Bank Foundation through the For some twenty years members of the dedicated involvement of Confrere Nicholas Order in our Region have supported the Pyne. The latest contribution from the Order development the community garden on the was two commercial lawnmowers. site of the former Adelaide Gaol in inner The garden also houses farm animals. Adelaide. The garden was formerly tended by Recently a second garden was established in prisoners until the gaol closed in 1988. the suburb of Richmond. Founded in 1841 the Adelaide gaol was The Order’s annual film afternoon has one of the last of the colonial prisons and the been the main source of funds to support the scene of many hangings prior to the abolition Adelaide Gaol garden. of capital punishment in SA in 1976. Mercy The garden is officially named the Dame Sister Sister Janet Mead and a dedicated Roma Mitchell Garden, as Dame Roma group of helpers redeveloped the garden as was a great friend of the Sisters of Mercy part of the works of the Adelaide Day Centre in Adelaide, a former Governor of SA and for homeless persons. Over the intervening Australia’s first woman Supreme Court Judge. years the garden has grown and is now a Dame Roma was honoured by the Order of source of fruit and vegetables and flowers Malta in 1997.

42 Lourdes Day Mass Celebrations and a gift bottle of water was distributed to strengthen and deepen their faith. On Saturday 11 February the Central each member of the congregation. Southern Region held our Lourdes Day Mass SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS at St ’s Cathedral in Adelaide. ANNUAL RETREAT Members and volunteers continue the Order’s The Mass recalls the experiences of a Each year a highlight on the Central Southern association with the Adelaide Day Centre for peasant girl’s religious visions in the French Region’s spiritual calendar is the annual Homeless Persons providing evening meals to town of Lourdes, where those who believe retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House La Storta the homeless in Adelaide. in miracles have since prayed for physical or at Sevenhill, in the Clare Valley. The retreat We have also continued to raise funds for spiritual healing. provides an opportunity for Members to the purchase of coats for the homeless. Coats Approximately six million people, many purchased were distributed through three of them sick and suffering, visit the French charities dedicated to providing care for the town in the foothills of the Pyrenees each year homeless. to drink from and bathe in its cool spring. This year the Ceduna Generic Roman Catholics believe the water has Homelessness Services was a direct healing powers and the Church has officially beneficiary of the Order’s Coats for the recognised 67 miracle cures from the waters. Homeless program in our Region. We extend For many in Australia, the trip to Lourdes our appreciation for the recent donation of 12 is too great and it is a great honour for our coats. members in the Central Southern Region Due to the extreme cold in Ceduna to bring the miracle of Lourdes to South recently, our Homeless team donated the Australians though our Cathedral Mass. jackets to vulnerable people and clients We thank the Most Rev Philip Wilson DD, who often sleep rough. Ceduna Generic Archbishop of Adelaide, the Order’s chaplains Homelessness Services distributed the jackets and other concelebrating clergy. to eightmen and four women. The response A special blessing invoking good health was amazing and the feedback positive. The took place during the liturgy with water majority of comments were “they are very brought directly from the Shrine at Lourdes warm and keep us dry”.

43 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA CENTRAL NORTHERN REGION

Central Northern Regional Hospitaller: Consoeur Maria Randazzo DMG

embers in the Central Northern Region) have been extremely active. From 2015 on, an annual robed MMass is celebrated in St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral, generally in September followed by a half day spiritual retreat.

Service in Alice Springs 100 coats for the homeless and 100 blankets are being supplied with the logo of the Order for the three very cold winter months in require. Alice. Also Rosary bead kitswith Prayer cards Social support and encouragement Children’s Bibles and our Lady are being provided. through referral to a formalised network of In August, Consoeur Frances Booth, For some months now, some Members governmental and Catholic Agencies, such as Consoeur Maria Randazzo and Confrere of the Order have been facilitating ongoing Centrelink and CatholicCareNT. Sean Parnell were privileged to present 21 meetings and discussions with Rev Asaeli Submissions to the Northern Territory Children’s Bibles to seven of the 13 Northern Raass SVD, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Legislative Assembly on amendments to Territory Catholic Primary Schools. Another the Sacred Heart Parish in Alice Springs legislation and/or bill proposals impacting on donation for the remaining schools will be as regards the scope of the service for the the poor. Members are working on drafting a made in 2018. Members in Alice Springs. There are many background paper to submit to the Northern issues of poverty and marginalisation to be Territory Government as regards the issue of FR ANGELO CONFALONIERI addressed. Last year three Members visited homelessness in Darwin and in Alice Springs. SYMPOSIUM Alice Spring to have a first-hand insight. The Symposium, held on 12 July in the This year Members have begun assisting Unity Magazine Library of Parliament House, Darwin, proved Fr Raass in planning appropriate and Unity Magazine is a quarterly publication to be a very successful event. The Symposium effective activities and projects, and we have of the Catholic Diocese and our Members was jointly hosted by the Catholic Diocese introduced the concept of capacity building take turns in submitting articles which are of Darwin and the Consulate of Italy for while emphasising that consideration will published. The last article on the RU 486 pill Queensland and the Northern Territory. need to include culturally oriented programs was published in June 2017. The Members of the Order of Malta in the and activities to capture as many people as Northern Territory were heavily involved in possible. Dili Scholarship programme planning and organising the event. Members visited Alice Springs for the Sixteen sponsored children from Detailed planning over more than a year second time in September this year and for impoverished backgrounds are being went into the mounting of the Symposium the time being Members are assisting Fr Raass educated in the Catholic schools ‘ Externato and the high standard of the presentations to draft a specific strategic plan for the Parish de San Jose’, ‘Colegio de Santo Iniacio de and the impressive number of attendees, in Alice Springs to submit to the Bishop. Loiola’, and the private non-Catholic school (including the Administrator of the Northern ‘Escola Portuguese Ruy Cinnati’. Some of the Territory, the Hon John Hardy AO and Mrs Catholic Advocacy Service Members have been supporting Confrere Marie Hardy, and the Italian Consul for The Catholic Advocacy Service is an H.E. David Scarf AM KMG with this project. Queensland and the Northern Territory, Mr organisational unit within the Catholic Members of the Order have also drafted and Ludovico Camussi) ensured that the event Diocese of Darwin established in 2015 by finalised the “Child Protection Policy” for this was truly memorable and worthy of the Members, for the more vulnerable and programme. extraordinary personality that the Symposium marginalised sectors of our society. It is aimed had set out to focus attention on and to to promote social justice and to defend the Shipment of medicines and honour. sanctity of life and human dignity. The scope equipment for new clinic in Dili Of special significance was the witness of the service is as follows: A number of our Members have assisted in given to Fr Angelo’s sense of Christian Administrative assistance to old, unwell, organising shipments of medicines to Dili, Mission, his appreciation of the importance poorly educated and illiterate, by helping generously donated by the Brisbane Branch. of indigenous language and culture and the them to fill in forms that government agencies

44 spirit of sacrifice that enabled him to endure Northern Region, the following presentations all sorts of hardship in his endeavour to live in were given: harmony and fellowship with the aboriginal Archbishop Emeritus Luigi Bressan of inhabitants of the Cobourg peninsula. Trento, Italy, sent a comprehensive overview Fr Angelo Confalonieri (1813-1848) was on the Diocese of Trento around 1840 and the pioneering Catholic missionary to the its prevailing missionary spirit that had Aboriginal people of the Port Essington area contributed to Father Angelo Confalonieri’s in the 19th century. The several presentations missionary motivation. during the symposium highlighted Fr Professor Rolando Pizzini, philanthropist, Angelo’s contribution to the understanding writer and researcher from Trento, Italy, and documentation of Aboriginal languages, presented details of Fr Angelo Confalonieri’s culture and customs, and he has left an life before his decision to come to Australia important legacy for generations of Northern and work with the Aborigines. Territorians. Dr Stefano Girola of the School of From the diocese of Trento in Northern Theology at the Australian Catholic Italy, Fr Angelo responded to a call by Bishop University, Brisbane, expanded on Fr Angelo’s Brady of to start a mission to the mission among Indigenous Australians in the Aborigines of the Top End of Australia. While context of local and international Catholicism. attempting to get here, he and the Captain Dr Michael Walsh, Australian Institute of of the ship were the only ones to survive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, shipwreck near Cape York. He lost everything highlighted the very significant and historic that he had brought with him from Europe for role of Catholic clergy in the documentation his ministry. On reaching his destination, he of Australian Languages. quickly mastered the local language - quite an Dr Greg Anderson, Anglican Bishop of extraordinary feat - however the nomadic life, the Northern Territory, speaking from years the loneliness and the difficulty of adapting to of hands on experience during which he a climate and diet so different from those in learned local indigenous languages himself, Europe undermined his health. gave an excellent summary of contrasting Only two years after his arrival at Port approaches to evangelisation in Arnhem Land Essington, and at just 35 years of age, the mission history. young priest died from malaria on the 9th of Dr Danial Kelly of Charles Darwin June 1848 at the Colonial Settlement, named University spoke of “Colliding ontologies”: Victoria, on the Cobourg Peninsula, 350 km Father Confalonieri’s style of Christianity and east of Darwin. Darwin, of course, at that the Aboriginal of the Arnhem Land time did not exist and it is interesting to note region”. that during the short time he lived among Rev Frank Bertagnolli SDB OAM, the Indigenous people on the Peninsula, he himself from the region in Italy, came to be greatly respected by the British provided a fascinating historical summary Garrison that had been posted there: they and geographical background, relating to Fr came to admire him for his engagement with Angelo Confalonieri’s Mission.” the Aboriginal people, built a hut for him, did The diocese of Darwin especially what they could for him in his final illness and acknowledged and thanked Consoeur Maria erected a vault over his final resting place. and Confrere Carlo Randazzo, Italian Vice- At the Darwin Symposium, after Consul for the Northern Territory, for the introductions from Mr Ludivico Camussi, extraordinary support and practical help they the Italian Consul for Queensland and the provided in the mounting of the Symposium Northern Territory, and from Rev Malcolm and in bringing this ambitious undertaking to Fyfe, Vicar General of the Diocese of Darwin its successful completion. and Magistral Chaplain to the Central

45 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA WESTERN DELEGATION

Western Delegation Chair: Confrere Dr Michael Shanahan KMG

estern Australian Members have national Coats for the Homeless program and Community Support Centre. continued to represent the Order commenced with a donation of coats to the within our community. St Pat’s Community Support Centre’s winter HEALING MASS W appeal. The Mass for the Sick, which again co- Recognising Excellence in Our Members were busy throughout sponsored with the Catholic Doctors Ethics and Philosophical winter distributing coats to the homeless at Association of Western Australia. Studies in Medicine the Shopfront, Maylands and the Holy Spirit The Mass was celebrated for the fourth Every year, Members of the Order in WA of Freedom Community Outreach Ministry. time in St Mary’s Cathedral by His Grace sponsor prizes at the University of Notre The Shopfront, an agency of the Archbishop Timothy Costello and the Dame’s Fremantle School of Medicine. Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, has become Cathedral clergy. The Awards recognise the School’s highest a key distribution point for our Winter coats The Mass was very well attended and achieving students campaign as it works to relieve poverty and included the anointing the sick and the The 2016 Academic Year Prize Giving suffering throughout the Diocese while distribution of bottles of Lourdes Water to the Ceremony was held in March 2017 and offering an environment that offers practical members of the congregation. Confrere the Hon. Kevin Hammond AO assistance, fellowship and hospitality. We have seen a growing interest in the KMG, presented The Order of Malta Prize for Helping organisations like the Shopfront Healing Mass and its congregation is very Philosophical Studies in Medicine and The gives the Western Australian Members of the honoured to receive the bottled Lourdes water Order of Malta Prize for Ethical Studies in Order great encouragement that the Coats for our members distribute. Medicine. the Homeless program continues to make an As ever, as we see an increase in Congratulations to Tess Hooper, who impact. attendance numbers we are now having to received the award for Philosophical Studies 300 coats were delivered throughout increase the quantity of bottled Lourdes water and Gary Avita, who received the award for Perth this year, all providing the equivalent to make sure that the entire congregation has Ethical Studies. warmth and comfort of a sleeping bag. We access to this very important gift. Recognition of excellence in studies will continue to generously support this through prizes and awards enables the most program, knowing that each coat has been dedicated students receive acknowledgement warmly accepted and that each will be well and rewards for their academic achievements worn. and is a wonderful incentive for each student We were very blessed this year to also to strive for excellence. have received a small amount of media coverage of our Coats for the Homeless COATS FOR THE HOMELESS program, with journalist Steve Grant of the Our volunteers and Members have again Fremantle Herald writing a very good piece participated in the Australian Association’s on the Order’s donation of coats to St Pat’s

47 48 he Order holds its annual pilgrimage The Australian contingent partner with it is almost impossible to transport our own to Lourdes on the first weekend in the Irish delegation to assist with the care the Australian malades to Lourdes and that is May and extending over a week or malades. why Australian pilgrims attach themselves as Tmore. The order has a special devotion to the volunteers with the Irish contingent. Some 4,500 Dames, Knights, chaplains, Blessed , and especially to Our Lady of Many find it is almost impossible to doctors and volunteers took part, assisting Lourdes and Members are expected to attend describe in words the phenomenon known as over 1,500 sick and disabled pilgrims. Many Lourdes at least once in their lifetime. “the Lourdes experience”. Associations bring with them sick and Members, volunteers, family members Medical neuroscientists have recently disabled (referred to as “Malades” in French). and the “malades” (the sick) themselves become fascinated by it and are now This year the Lourdes pilgrimage – attend wearing the traditional uniforms and investigating the phenomena in order to from 5th to 9th May – was the first official red blankets which hark back to former times understand the effects on patients visiting commitment of the newly elected Lieutenant including the First World War, when the Lourdes. of the Grand Master, Frà Giacomo Dalla Order had its own hospital trains attending to There is no sadness, no sorrow, and no Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. the casualties. long faces – merely an acceptance of their lot The participation of the Holy Father’s In spite of the distance, Members attended by both the sick and their carers. special delegate, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, from throughout the Australian Association. One commentator described the with their Eminences Cardinals Renato With the distances and costs involved, atmosphere as “cheerful compassion”. Raffaele Martino, Prosper Grech, Timothy Another said: “The sight of so many Dolan and was particularly Members of our Order, distinguished significant. by their uniforms, including the young Archbishop Angelo Becciu led the and enthusiastic helpers of the various Eucharistic Procession on Saturday 6th ambulance brigades and auxiliary May and the Solemn Pontifical Mass groups associated with the Order, celebrated on Sunday 7th May in was a visible demonstration of the the packed Basilica of St. Pius X. strength of the Order of Malta The Lourdes pilgrimage worldwide, and of its vitality. offers a unique opportunity “The torchlight Marian to fully experience the processions, the huge charism of the Order, international congregation through service to the at a pontifical Mass in sick and the poor, while the underground Basilica joining together with of St Pius X, the blessing members of the Order of the sick with the from across the globe Blessed Sacrament are in an international moving events never to community of service be forgotten.” and faith.

49 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION

New Zealand Delegation Chair: Confrere the Hon Peter Gresham ONZM KMG

embers of the Order of Malta Zealand Delegation again were invited to residing in New Zealand continue attend the Investiture ceremony for the to acknowledge our most important admission of members of our sister Order, MFeast Days, as well as the World Day of the Order of the Hospital of Sick, through sponsorship of meals at the St John of Jerusalem. This event was also Wellington Soup Kitchen. attended by the Chancellor of the Venerable The Soup Kitchen is operated by the Order of St John in Australia who spoke most Sisters of Compassion located in Wellington’s favourably of the work, mission and members Tory Street, where breakfast and dinner are of the Order of Malta in Australia. served six days a week. Members assist by serving the meals or clearing away, doing NEW MEMBERS INVESTED dishes or cleaning up afterwards. This year has seen significant growth in the We are privileged to be asked to lead Delegation’s membership. Following a period Grace, and to sit with guests as they await of formation, four Knights, a Dame and a their dinner sitting. Chaplain were invested into the Order at Members come away pleased that they ceremonies in Brisbane and Wellington. have been able to support the Sisters and to On the 28th October, two Knights of live our Mission of caring for the sick and the Magistral Grace were invested at the Chapel poor. of the Sisters of Compassion, Island Bay in We believe our contribution (and that Wellington, New Zealand. of our Order) meets in some small way The Mass was concelebrated by the one of the Archbishop’s priorities for the Archbishop of Wellington His Eminence John Archdiocese - reaching out to those who live Cardinal Dew CSJ, the new Apolostic Nuncio in poverty and are vulnerable. to New Zealand, His Excellency the Most We are asked to see the suffering Rev Martin Krebs and Rev James Lyons. The Christ in the homeless, addicted, in Order of Malta’s President of the Australian refugees, indigenous peoples, the isolated Association, His Excellency Confrere Dr Ian and abandoned elderly, victims of human Marshall, was also in attendance. trafficking, women in situations of exclusion With the addition of the two newly and domestic violence. invested Knights, there are now 11 Members In November, Members of the New of the Order in New Zealand. This small but

50 committed group of Members have initiated send some to us. programmes that benefit ‘Our Lords the Sick’ the Order’s Coats for the Homeless project in The Auckland City mission’s latest street and ‘Our Lords the Poor’. New Zealand and are supporters of regional count in May found more than 177 people activities, including the Order’s new Medical were sleeping rough within a 3km radius of Clinic in Dili, Timor-Leste. the Sky Tower and rough sleepers usually Following the Mass we were delighted increase over winter. to learn that our confrere, Alex Abela KMG The James Liston Hostel in Freemans Bay of Auckland had been award the Order of provides emergency housing to those in need Merit awarded – pro merito melitensi, to and opens its doors for the homeless to be acknowledge his huge contribution to the able to access showers. work of the Order in the Asia Pacific region. The hostel was gifted 24 coats by the Alex was a foundation Member of the Order Delegation to distribute and we received in New Zealand (1988). He has given most positive feedback from the hostel’s manager generously to work in Thailand’s refugee Charlotte Ama who said they were all grateful. camps as well and teaching there and in Since then, the James Liston Hostel has schools in Samoa and the Islands. given the coats out to the rough sleepers when they came in to access the hostel’s showers. Coats Distribution in Welington Feedback specifically mentions how and Auckland handy the way the coats are made, including Thanks to the efforts of Members in New their velcro fastenings and generous pockets Zealand, the Coats for the Homeless project to store personal items, especially as the has expanded to New Zealand. One hundred weather in Auckland was quite cold this year. rough sleepers now have a layer to keep them Coats were also distributed to the City warm for the chilly winter months ahead. of Gisborne on the East Coast of the North We started this year’s Coats for the Island. They were distributed to those in Homeless programme in May and have been need through the Te Kupenga Net Trust, a able to supply 50 coats through the generosity local group that provides mental health and of donations from parishioners of Wellington’s additional services. Catholic parishes. This distribution was organised with the Sister Fina of the Home of Compassion valuable assistance of the St Vincent de Paul said the guests of the Compassion Soup Society in Gisborne. Kitchen welcomed the coats very much. “Last The Delegation has also supplied a gift week we had a young guest appear at the of coats thoughout the Auckland Diocese door in only a thin tee shirt. He was sleeping in collaboration with The Little Sisters of outside in an extremely cold Wellington Assumption (LSA) in Papatoetoe and Otara, southerly wind. These warm dry coats are just Catholic Social Services (CSS) and local what some of our guests need”. Catholic Parishes in Otara, and in Manurewa The Catholic Church in Auckland was & Papakura and a mobile CSS service in gifted high quality coats to distribute to the Auckland to both young and old people in city’s homeless by the Order of Malta. need. It started over a lunch time conversation The parish priest of St Patrick’s Cathedral, with one of the members of the Order of Bernard Kiely, was delighted to Malta, who was visiting Auckland from be able to give warm, quality coats to the Sydney, with Lindsay Freer from the Catholic homeless people of his parish. Diocese of Auckland. The rest of the coats will be distributed Our Australian guest was disturbed around Auckland by St Patrick’s Cathedral in to hear of the extent of homelessness here Wyndham St and by its parish in Otara. and because they have constructed some During the next year we will continue thousands of coats in Australia, he decided to to focus on expansion of membership and

51 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA THAILAND DELEGATION

Thailand Delegation Chair: Confrere Virachai Techavijit KMG

n the 13th October, 2016 The King Tribes people and other rural communities wheelchairs, 10 tricycles and six walking of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol who depend so much on assistance on the frames to 10 provinces. Adulyadej passed away and the sisters and the volunteer doctors who visit The Thai Wheel Factory, where we order Onation went into deep mourning. His Majesty every four months. our wheelchairs, is run by disabled people, has been Father of the Nation for 70 years The month of December is a joyous where the designers and workers are also and many generations have grown knowing month for all Christians and also the busiest mostly disabled. the King as a kind, compassionate and wise month for the Members and friends. Members of the Order also assisted the monarch. His loss has left a void in all of us. In December we launched the Diocese of Ratchaburi in December to build Even so, remembering the wise words of Wheelchairs and Blankets project. a new 40 room dormitory for the Burmese the late King and the teaching of the Order Fifty wheelchairs were donated to eight workers who had no accommodation to of Malta to help the Sick and the Poor, the provinces in Thailand, together with 650 commence their new employment. Members and Friends in deep mourning blankets to rural villagers where the nights The Diocese was concerned that the new for our beloved Father the King, continue to can be cold. recruits were often encouraged to live out of assist the sick and the poor throughout the All wheelchairs and blankets were handed town, away from the diocese centre which led country regardless of race, faith or creed. over to various diocese and community them to gambling, drugs and turning away On the 21st October, 2016 our first centres by the Members who travelled all from the Church. The Diocese requeusted the shipment of medical supplies reached Chiang over Thailand, to deliver the much needed Order’s assistance. Mai in Northern Thailand. The Members wheelchairs and blankets in person to those Our Members and friends were quick to sponsored a year’s medical supplies to the who needed them most. help assist this project in building a safer place Sisters who distributed medicines to the Hill This year we will once again donate 56 for the new recruits.

52 A day after the opening of the Centre, 200 I am pleased to report that we have Burmese and other migrant workers arrived 4 aspirants who are being guided by our to a friendlier and safer accommodation to Magistral Chaplain Rev. Fr Carlo Velardo SDB commence their employment under the care in spiritual activities. of the diocese. In October Members of the Order and The Order of Malta has for the last thirty Friends donated 50,000 Baht to the Mae Hong years had a tradition of holding Summer Son flood victims through the Diocese of Camps for youth disabled. The Singaporean Chaing Mai and a further 100,000 Baht to the Association extended this tradition to the Camillian Sisters in the Diocese of Rachaburi Asia Pacific region and from the 8th to 11th for medical supplies. June, 2017 the inaugural Asia Pacific Summer During the one year of National Camp took place in Singapore Sports School. mourning members of the Order volunteered We are indebted to the Singaporean in many capacities to assist the millions who Association to commence this tradition in our came to pay respect to His Majesty, some region. serving food and water, others offering words The Thai members were fortunate to send of encouragement to the frail, the disabled two gentlemen to represent Thailand. By all and sick who came and waited sometimes 10 accounts it was a huge success and all who hours before they could enter the palace to attended left with a good feeling that so much pay their respects. was achieved. On the 26th October, we bid farewell The members at home were overjoyed to His Majesty King Bhumibol Aduyadej, a when we heard that the Thai Team won the respected and loved monarch who devoted 70 Christopher Cup croquet competition. We are years of service of His people, His Majesty left looking after it and we promise we will return a void in all of us. We continue His Majesty it in Manila next year. legacy to work hard and look after those who In August, we turned our attention to are less fortunate incorporating the Order’s the worsening flood situation in Sakorn motto, Tuitio Fidei, Obsequium Pauperum in Nakorn. The Diocese of Tharae contacted our daily lives. us for assistance and the members without We are all encouraged by our members of any hesitation started to raise funds to reach the Order in Thailand who show no sign of the diocese of Tharae. The relief funds were slowing down and continue our achievements used to supply food and clean water. Around in helping those who are less fortunate than 17,000 homes were affected. us. ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA HONG KONG DELEGATION

Hong Kong Delegation Chair: Confrere Denis Chang KMG

he Hong Kong Delegation has Bioethics is, of course, a core activity intensified its activities and increased of the Order. We envisage that Hong Kong its membership on 10 March 2017 members’ involvement in this activity will Twith the investiture of five new members increase in future without detracting from comprising four Knights and one Dame of our other activities. We will continue to stress Magistral Grace. the need to uphold high standards and for We are grateful to His Eminence sustainability in all our works as well as for Cardinal Tong Hon ( Grand Cross of spiritual renewal. Honour & Devotion) for being the principal celebrant of the Investiture Mass as well as Hospitaller Meetings to Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall, President We introduced this year regular meetings with of the Australian Association, for coming the leaders of the different projects and the all the way from Australia to officiate at the volunteer leaders. Meetings are bi-monthly Investiture. and are focused on bringing together the Our Chaplain, the Most Reverend Bishop various projects and consider our future steps (Conventual Chaplain ad together. honorem) was one of the concelebrants at Furthermore, we hired Amanda Yau to the Investiture Mass. He was then already help with our Hospitaller activities. One of Co-Adjutor Bishop, having been appointed Amanda’s tasks this year was to update our back in November 2016 by His Holiness Pope PR material. Amanda has done a great in Francis to succeed His Eminence Cardinal drafting and printing of a new brochure. upon the latter’s retirement. We would like to congratulate the Most Cha Gen Village Rev Michael Yeung on his accession to the Cha Gen is a village near Maoming in China. office of Bishop of the Hong Kong Catholic About 80 people live here with the after-effects Diocese on 1st August 2017. of leprosy. Principally the residents are healed Monsignor Ante Jozic (Conventual but they all suffer from the consequences Chaplain ad honorem) has continued to of this illness, including amputated limbs, inspire us and to participate in the activities of deformed limbs, eye diseases and infections the Order. He was with members of the Hong due to the destruction of the nerves. The Kong delegation (Confrere Denis Chang CBE majority are stigmatised and abandoned by QC SC KMG, Consoeur Désirée Jebsen and their families. A French Priest from the Order Confrere Joseph Hui) at the 6th Asia-Pacific of the Beatitudes, Rev Jean Moyen, Regional Conference held in Seoul on 23-25 lives among them and takes care of the and September 2016 as well as participated in the a further eight villages, as well as keeping National Assembly held in Brisbane in June an eye on villages on Hainan Island with this year. One of our new members Confrere underprivileged residents. Giovanni Angelini also attended the Brisbane Confrere Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly KHD meeting. and Consoeur Sophie Mensdorff-Pouilly We have continued to expand our DHD lead this project. services in Hong Kong and at Cha Gen This year, focus was given again to Village on the Mainland and to place great - Methane Gas Project importance to the annual Lourdes pilgrimage. - Lunch Box Project During the last visit in early May, 2017, at the - Medication invitation of Confrere H.E. Dr Ian Marshall, - Room Make up Project Confrere Peter Au-Yeung KMG and Confrere Denis Chang were privileged to attend the Methane Gas Project AGM of the International Association of The Hong Kong Delegation fundraised Catholic Bioethicists held on 8 May, 2017. among themselves to help build a Methane

54 power source through a new pig stable. This volunteers as well as Consoeur Teresa Lam need to find the way out through a number stable is about to be completed. Fed by the DMG and myself. of clues. excrements of 150 pigs, gas will be produced On Wednesday 7th June we left by plane The group spent about an hour trying to and transported via a sub-ground piping to all to Singapore, where we were warmly greeted find its way out and managed eventually with the kitchens. by the organisers. We were brought to the a few hints from the staff. After lunch the Singapore Sports School. group went to the beautiful Singapore Botanic Medicines Here the group checked into their rooms Gardens where a group photo was taken and Ongoing stocktakes are being done and met some of the other groups. Apart from watched a lovely magic show! In the afternoon throughout the year and funds are being Singapore and Hong Kong, participants came the Grand Hospitaller, H.E. Dominique found for it. from the , Thailand and Australia. Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel arrived Lunch Box Project. With the help of On Thursday 8th June, after the Welcome to spend the last night with the group. the Global Fund for Forgotten People and and Registration, Archbishop William Every night participants enjoyed a Disco facilitated by the Hong Kong Delegation the Goh celebrated the Opening Mass which and this was considered a lot of fun by all the people in Cha Gan will start to cook and was immediately followed by the Opening guests. There were also some entertaining deliver lunch to people who are even poorer Ceremony. Ms Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister games and the Hong Kong group won the than them. This project will help the poorest for Culture, Community and Youth officially Photo Contest. of the poor, but it will also give a lot of dignity opened the Camp. There was a lot of dancing, singing and to the people of Cha Gan. Following lunch, attendees returned to the fun with all the guests. The Disco nights were big hall to play some integration games, which the highlights of the Camp. They gave people Room Make up were followed by some Painting and Drawing. a wonderful opportunity to bond and mingle. Under the leadership of Confrere Alfons and On te next day, Friday 9th June, the Sunday morning the Camp held the Consoeur Sophie Mensdorff-Pouilly, and morning started with several activities and the Christopher’s Cup croquet tournament. This Confrere Justin Harkiewicz KMG we started Hong Kong Group chose to go to participate is a tradition in the Order of Malta Camps in the “Room Make up Program”. A few young in the “I Fly” program, a wind tunnel in Europe, and Singapore wanted to adopt this people went to the village of Cha Gan to clean Singapore’s Sentosa Park where participants practice for the Asian camps as well. and repaint two units occupied by lepers could experience skydiving. It was a huge Some years ago a volunteer named during one weekend. success and a lot of fun! In the afternoon Christopher was involved in a fatal car the Hong Kong Group chose indoor games, accident on his way home from a Camp. First Asia Pacific Camp for including bocce and lawn bowling to name a Because he loved attending the Order’s camps Handicapped in Singapore few. so much, his parents donated a cup for the Hong Kong took part in the first Asia Pacific On Saturday 10th June, after a group croquet game. We spent the morning playing Camp in Singapore in June. breakfast the Hong Kong group went to croquet on the lawn and Thailand won the We took along three “guests” with their an activity called “Escape Hunt”, where Christopher Cup. carers. They were accompanied by three participants are trapped in a room and they After lunch the group returned to the big hall for the Closing Mass and a Lion Dance. The Hong Kong Group left the next day back to Hong Kong. Happy and exhausted. The Singapore Association and Consoeur Rose Lu DMG, President of the Singapore Association, outdid themselves in organising an outstanding camp and everybody had the best of times. The Plan is that the Philippines will host the Camp in 2018 and Hong Kong have committed to host the camp in 2019. All of the Hong Kong delegation are already looking for locations to hold it.

55 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA KOREAN DELEGATION

Korean Delegation Chair: Confrere Silvano Yongmaan Park KMG

n September 2016, for the first time in the history of the Church in Korea, 11 Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta were Iinvested during a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung, Archbishop of Seoul and the principal Chaplain ad honorum of the Order of Malta in Korea, at Myeong-Dong Cathedral in Seoul. Members of the Order from Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Malta, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the participated in the Investiture as a part of the Order’s sixth Asia Pacific Regional Conference. The establishment of Order of Malta in Korea he founded a Christian community in On 12th June, the Order in Korea held Korea has been strongly supported by the 1784. an orientation for eight new aspirants of Federal Association in the United States of The Catholic Church in Korea was the Order of Malta. Consoeur Monica Park America and the Australian Association. suppressed from its early days because the explained about the responsibilities and duties Confrere Matthew Lee KMG, of the government considered it to be opposed of aspirants and also spoke about the history Federal Association, worked to gain the to the Neo-Confucianism that was the of the Order. Rev. Matthew Byun gave a enthusiastic support of His Eminence guiding ideal of the government at that time. homily on the topic, ‘Be happy, merciful ones’, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung and his About 10,000 of the faithful died martyrs in explaining that serving the poor is like serving predecessor, Cardinal Nicholas Jeong. persecutions that lasted for more than 100 our Lord. The turning point came when Confrere years. The newly renovated ‘House of Catholic Yongmaan Park KMG, a prominent Korean Among them 103 martyrs, including the Love & Peace’ was consecrated and blessed on Catholic businessman and philanthropist, first Korean priest, Rev. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, 7th July. This ‘House’ is where the members of accepted Lee’s invitation to lead the effort. were canonised in Seoul in 1984 by Pope John the Order and volunteers serve our ‘forgotten Confrere Park was installed as the first Paul II. neighbours’ by cooking, packing and president of the Order’s Korean Delegation Over the last eighteen months, Order of delivering lunch boxes for about 200 people in 2015. Malta Korea has been focusing on serving once or twice every month. Korea has a flourishing Catholic forgotten children, the forgotten disabled and Throughout the year Members of the Church with a strong laity. With over 5.5 the forgotten poor and homeless, supported Order of Malta in Korea and volunteers have million Catholics, which is about 11% by a grant from the Global Fund for Forgotten carried out hospitaller activity. Members of the population of South Korea, the People. They have already established their continue their hands-on approach, where Church’s growth has been nothing less than work with enterprise and energy. members cook, pack and deliver lunch boxes phenomenal over the past 40 years and to about 200 forgotten neighbours living in Catholics as a group, specifically the clergy WOODCRAFT PROJECT, DONGJAK slums in downtown Seoul. and the religious, are highly respected. DISTRICT, SEOUL Members find it a meaningful time, A unique aspect of the Catholic Church In the Dongjak district of Seoul, Order serving our forgotten neighbours. We were in Korea is that it was not established of Malta Korea runs workshops for grateful to be able to serve, and also thankful by European missionaries but by the disadvantaged children from the Municipal for God’s blessings, which have led more spontaneous efforts of Korean people. Children Care Centre in the region. volunteers to turn up and ensure that the poor Catholicism was introduced in Korea in and the sick were never forgotten. the 18th century when some Korean literati EXCURSIONS WITH THE DISABLED The Order’s yearly retreat was held learned about the faith through reading In April, members of the Order and on 18th July. The retreat started with a and studying, and began to practice it by volunteers took 20 individuals with physical lecture and practice of Cardiopulmonary themselves. and mental disabilities to the Garden of Resuscitation (CPR) - a critical emergency One of them, Yi Seung-hun, went to Morning Calm in the Gyeonggi Province an procedure that can save our family, friends Beijing to be baptised, and on his return to hour and a half outside of Seoul. and neighbours – and a special lecture by our

56 Chaplain, Rev Matthew Byun and a Mass. boxes. Afterwards, everyone got together to Members had divine time to deepen the share the food for lunch! inner spiritual life as well as time to physically On 5th December, Cardinal Yeom Soo- train ourselves. jung presented Confrere Park, President of In burning hot weather, which recorded the Korean Delegation, with a ‘Proud Catholic 34oC, 14 members of the Order of Malta Businessman Award for 2017’. Korea and 15 volunteers got together for the Confrere Park, Confrere William Yongil Order’s regular hospitaller activity for August Shin and a few volunteers travelled to Busan as it was vital members cooked, packed and to participate in the volunteer activity delivered the 200 lunch boxes to the poor and organised by the Sisters of Mary, where the the sick in downtown Seoul, suffering in the participants made Kimchi for underprivileged weather. children, youth, and the poor and sick. Members responded to what Christ meant The temperature of Seoul was -7°C on when he said, “In so far as you did this to one 20th December, but the cold could not stop of the least of these brothers of mine, you did our Members and volunteers from reaching to me” (Mt 25:40). out to our forgotten neighbours. Deliciously One of our volunteers mentioned that “I cooked warm lunch boxes were delivered to have participated in many volunteer works in 305 people this day. the past, but this is the most delicious lunch The Order of Malta Korea’s 2017 end box I have ever eaten.” Thanks to our chefs, we of year party was held on 22nd December are able to serve the blessed food to the people with tMembers joined by aspirants, in need. volunteers, friends and family. Also among On 25th October, all of the chefs within the participants were musicians who played our cooking team could not participate. We various genre of music from Korean pop to are fortunate to have Aspirant Bernard Kim’s jazz. A soprano and a tenor highlighted the assistant who volunteered to take on the role evening with their heart-touching voices. of head chef and produced the finest food Lookiing back, 2017 has been a special including spicy stir-fried chicken and stir- year for the Order of Malta in Korea - the fried mushroom. lunch box hospitaller activity was systemised In November the Members, aspirants and and a group of new aspirants joined the volunteers took delivery of newly designed Order. For all this and more, we are thankful long-sleeve shirts and caps. And in December, to our Lord for his blessings. Members and the volunteers set the new record of preparing and delivering 304 lunch

57 ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA 7TH ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE

Association President: Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob)

he Seventh Asia Pacific conference Diplomatic Corps as well as H.E. Msgr Anté was held in Singapore from 9th to Jozic, Conventual Chaplain of the Order and 12th November 2017, the same venue Head of the Holy See Study Mission in Hong Tof the historic first Asia Pacific Conference Kong. held in 2010. The Asia Pacific Conference The Presidents of the regional National is now a fixed event, in fact the only annual Associations headed by the Conference Host international event in the calendar of the H.E. Consoeur Rose Lu SooYing, President Order and the importance attached to the of the Singapore Association. H.E. Confrere conference is emphasised by the diversity and Dr Leopold Lazatin of the Philippines seniority of the delegates and the range of Association and Confrere Dr Ian Marshall topics canvassed. of the Australian Association headed the In 2010, 27 delegates attended over three national delegations including representatives days. In 2017, 53 delegates attended over an of the Order’s subgroups in Hong Kong, expanded conference of four much busier Thailand and Korea and for the first time days. It is obvious the Order continues to visitors from Taiwan together with Chaplains make steady progress in our region. Rev. Fr Ariston Sison Jr of the Philippines, The delegates included their Excellencies Rev. Fr Edward Lim of Singapore and Rev. Fr the Grand Chancellor H.E. Albrecht Freiherr Carlo Velardo of Thailand. von Boeselager and the Grand Hospitaller Attending also were Ingo Radtke, H.E. Dominique Prince de la Rochefoucauld Secretary General of –Montbel, Confrere Simon Grenfell of the (the international disaster and humanitarian Government Council, HE Eugenio Ajroldi relief arm of the Order) and Bruno de Marin di Robbiate, the Order’s Communications de Carranrais CIOMAL (the International Director and Ms Daniela Bonucci, the Committee of the Order of Malta Against Grand Magistry’s Head of the Department of Leprosy). Internal Affairs. Wide ranging discussion included The regional Ambassadors H.E. Confrere communications, a topic of high priority in Jim Dominguez AM CBE KCSG Ambassador the Grand Magistry and reports on national for Development in South East Asia, H.E. activities, youth, and regional projects. One Consoeur Dona Odelia Arroyo Ambassador important aspect was vigorous discussion to the Philippines, H.E. Confrere Michael on planning for the future, maintaining the Mann AM Ambassador to Cambodia and regional momentum of the Order, various Thailand and H.E. Confrere David Scarf AM Members with special regional interests Ambassador to Timor-Leste represented the have enthusiastically committed their time

5854 and personal resources to further this stock of the situation, assess progress, share in summer camps for the disabled young development. experiences and reinforce synergies. organised by the Order’s European volunteers. The Asia Pacific Conferences have been In detail, the Order’s activities for the Last August, the Order of Malta’s Singapore seen as essentially hospitaller in content but more vulnerable groups of the population Association set up the first Asian edition of with the persistent underlying theme of the in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, these international camps. inseparability of Obsequium Pauperum and Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, South The Grand Chancellor, H.E. Albrecht Tuitio Fidei, with the overriding emphasis on Korea and Timor-Leste were discussed. Freiherr von Boeselager and the Grand our service to Our Lords, the poor and the A special session was also devoted to Hospitaller, H.E. Dominique Prince de la sick being an essential core of our spiritual the programmes developed by Malteser Rochefocault-Montbel chaired the meeting existence in the Order. Whilst charitable International in Asia and the Ciomal with the President of the Order’s Singapore works are worthy in their own right, Foundation in Cambodia, as well as the Association, Consoeur Rose Lu Soo Ying importantly for us, they are also our means of initiatives of the Global Fund for the DMG. strengthening our own faith and spirituality, Forgotten People. The next appointment is for mid- our own personal exercise in Tuitio Fidei. There was particular applause for two November 2018, when the Philippine One very strong message arising from the transnational projects. The first is the Order Association will be the organisers of the 8th conference is the necessity to concentrate on of Malta’s new medical centre in Dili, capital Asia Pacific Conference in Manila. In the the involvement of volunteers and youth in of Timor-Leste, one of the poorest south- meantime, the second annual Asia-Pacific the activities of the Order. east Asian countries. Inaugurated a few Summer Youth Camp for our region’s disabled The expansion of the Order of Malta’s days before the conference by the Order’s young people is being prepared and will be activities in the Asian continent and Australia Ambassador David Scarf in the presence of held from 6th – 8th June 2018 at the Villa and the increase in regional cooperation were the country’s leaders, it already stands out Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, a two hour drive the key topics of the Order of Malta’s 7th Asia for the high level of care offered, especially from Manila. Pacific Conference. to those without the means to access the Some 50 delegates met in Singapore from ordinary health service. The second project 9 to 12 November for this annual event to take was prompted by the over 30-year experience

59 BooksReviews of recently published books on the history, art, culture and society of the Sovereign Military Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta BOOKS The Orginal Redcoats of the Sea This exceptional study into the Order’s navy in the eighteenth century reveals a good deal of information about the actual vessels – the galleys, the third-rates and the frigates with their uses, advantages, shortcomings, replacements, costs and the actual ‘muscle’ of the Order’s warships – the personnel serving on board who include the Officer-Knights, technical and deck officers, all crewmen, oarsmen, and officials together with the religious and material considerations including discipline, health and the social aspect of the fleet, writes Frà Richard Divall AO OBE CCM.

The Fleet of the organisational skills throughout of well-informed historical the Mediterranean. attention. Knights of Malta We know that, in seamanship, There has been no dearth by Joseph F. Grima. Tuscany under the Medici of historians who concentrated 448 pages, $69.30 Grand Dukes copied the Maltese on researching and publicising schemes and constitutions, and its history and its achievements. he fortunes of the Order that when the French under All have all contributed validly of St John of Jerusalem, of Cardinal Richelieu decided to overviews or specialised Rhodes and of Malta has to invest in a powerful navy, publications on the navy of the Tebbed and flowed dramatically they did it with an observant Order, or on some of its aspects over the thousand years of its eye on the Malta blueprint. A or activities. It is one subject in existence, particularly during Frenchman who had undergone our history which cannot lament its Maltese period, when it was his naval training on the ships being under-researched. enjoying its highest profile ever of the Order had a guaranteed But one area of interest on the world stage. Even when career spread out for him, and had not been systematically international criticism over its many of the great French naval explored so far: the internal very raison d’etre, its politics heroes had learnt the tricks of workings of the Order’s fleet. and its achievements started navigation on the vessels of the The chains of command and gathering momentum, its small, Knights of Malta. hierarchies, the supplies and dashing, thieving fleet held the The fleet of Malta has been suppliers, the medical services, respect of most observers of the doubly fortunate, in so far salaries and remuneration, legal maritime scene. Over the years, as it retained its prestige and regulation, ship building and everything else changed, mostly ascendency even when most of repairing, tactical prowess and in the direction of decline, but the other institutions of the Order manoeuvring, staffing, signalling the ships of the Order remained had started collapsing, and also and communications, the a model of beautifully-honed because it has attracted plenty bureaucracy, discipline, training,

Image Credit: Frà Giovanni Battista Tommasi (1731 – 1805), Grand Master of the Order Malta (oil on canvas, 18th century) Tommasi Image Credit: Frà Giovanni Battista 61 spiritual care, promotions and a Historical Society. He wound up classes of rowers, the human believed, as a nation, without the score of other aspects that enabled his professional journey in 2006 as motors when ships started faintest vacillation, that legalised the ships to operate on their own Assistant Director of Education. depending on them for speed thieving, called corsairing, was and as part of a murderously He has published extensively and manoeuvrability rather than the best way forward. But also a unforgiving pack, like well-oiled about the history of the Order, but on unreliable winds in the sails. nation that, before many others, clockwork. I believe this to be his major and All these are here. practised the social dimension of This is the gap that the most comprehensive work so far. Four types of oarsmen solidarity – free health services, author, Joseph Grima has I would not want anyone to propelled the Order’s ships: the free hospitals, orphanages, filled painstakingly, with much run away with the idea that this slaves – mostly Muslim – who limited education, some pension enthusiasm, thoroughness and is all about dull civil service and were forced to row because they schemes, legal aid and social competence. His weighty book is a admiralty organisational stuff. had fallen in captivity; criminals housing were introduced or put consummation of every published, Grima’s wisdom led him to hone condemned by the courts to on a stronger footing during the and I believe, of most unpublished in on action and the human row in the galleys; those who rule of the Knights. It is fitting sources which could throw light element, the heroics and the had crashed into debt and had for historians to record for on the subject. failings of the men of the Navy. to raise money by breaking future generations these pioneer To be fair, some bites had The book deals with the dire their backs on the oars – the attempts at governance with a been taken at this particular fates of those seamen who fell into buonavoglia – and finally those social soul. apple before, but never with slavery, the savage punishments who had freely chosen to be Grima has here fashioned such relentless and coordinated to maintain discipline or to seamen in the pursuit of a trade. a notable tessera for the overall dedication. This book beats, in gratify the sadism of the agozzini, Different rules applied to each mosaic of life under our Order. depth and ambition, anything on and the penalties for blasphemy class, but all scored pretty low the organisation of the Order’s “defaming God, the or our in the pecking order. None as navy that and been attempted holy faith”; the scourges of early disreputable as the buonavoglia, before. His bibliography, especially navigation, dysentery and scurvy; a word still in current Maltese that of the manuscript archives the outbreaks of the lethal plague as an epithet of contempt, a he trawled, strikes one as nothing and the paranoid measures the blackguard. To call anyone short of awesome. Order had in place to staunch buonavoglia frustato (whipped) Grima was the right person the spreading of contagion; amounted, we are told, to with the right passion to the sinfully lavish banqueting slander actionable in court. undertake this massive toil. A reserved for the officers, and the The navy of the Knights proud son of the Maltese town more guardedly spartan menu is no more, but the Order, as of Qormi, located southwest of the crews; the musicians on much as its men, helped to of Valletta and for 32 years he board, to entertain and for signal profile Malta and the Maltese acted as Secretary of the Malta purposes; and the different nation – a community that

62 BOOKS Scandals, duels and diplomacy in eighteenth century Malta Thomas Freller is an author and researcher of great note and his latest book on the Comte de Bavière is one for any library interested in the Order of Malta. This is a captivating book, based on the material of researched in various European archives, finally presents a long-overdue biography of a colourful character - Maximilien Emanuel François Joseph, Comte de Bavière.

The Fabulous life of the attacks. illegitimate sons with lucrative Comte de Bavière in Malta That a bastard son of the and high-ranking positions. by Thomas Freller Duke Elector of Bavaria was The Order of Malta not 140 pages, $24.00 received into the Order whose only played an important part in regulations insisted on extensive the life of Maximilien Emanuel he end came unexpectedly proofs of nobility, highlights the François Joseph, but the and suddenly; the bomb geopolitical events that the Order attentions of his father, the Duke which had been shot from was constantly being drawn into Elector of Bavaria, were also very Ta large-calibre cannon from not during the dying days of the often drawn to the island State too far away exploded close to Ancien Régime. and the affairs of the Order. Maximilien Emanuel François Thomas Freller’s second The book interestingly Joseph, Comte de Bavière, and book for 2015 offers a glance charts the Duke Elector’s tore his body into “two parts”, as behind the facades built by the attempts to establish a an eye witness reported. Order to limit entry and project Bavarian Priory of the Order This spectacular end in aristocratic strength. Freller also and efforts to sequestrate a the Battle of Lauffeld (Lawfeld, questions how, in the Ancien wealthy Bavarian monastery in modern ) on 2 July Régime, the legitimate children with the view of converting 1747 somewhat echoed one of the of princes were used as precious it into a prestigious hospital. most spectacular lives and careers tools and pawns in Europe’s Freller’s research unearths the of the eighteenth century. game of political chess; where plot behind the Duke Elector’s Novice and negotiator their marriages were decisive in plans; to provide his favourite in the service of the Order of forming alliances and sealing illegitimate offspring Maximilien Malta, candidate to the post treaties. Emanuel François Joseph with of Grand Prior of Castille, but Freller particularly focuses the prestigious position of Prior. a bastard son of a prince and on the Houses of Wittelsbach and It is interesting to read that the married to his niece, a lieutenant Hapsburg, in which the latter of young Comte de Bavière was general in the French Army the two saw its possessions in not alone as an illegitimate son and fighting at the forefront early modern Europe increase seeking preferment within the of many battles, French envoy, tremendously through marriages Order of Malta. Interestingly lover of his father’s mistress and and inheritances. Such were an acquaintance of his, the Bali protagonist of several scandals the marriages arranged by the d’Oreans, the natural son of and duels, the Comte de Bavière Hapsburg Emperors that a the regent of France the Duc was one of the most notorious proverb was coined Bella gerant d’Orleans and Mme d’Argenton and popular figures of his time. alii tu felix nube (‘Leave had also been admitted into the Based on material of various the others to make wars, you, Order and was to be promoted European archives, this book happy Austria, marry’). to the position of Grand Prior in finally presents the long-overdue The author also poses 1748, a year after the Comte de biography of his colourful the question what became of Bavière’s death on the battle field character. illegitimate children of princes of Lauffeld. The Order of Malta played and royals? Many of them, of This is an intriguing book a crucial part in the life of the both sex, were also promoted and keeps the reader’s attention Comte de Bavière. He aspired to a high status and received with new information on the to high office in the Order and prestigious positions. And the Order during the age of the was twice present on the Order’s Order of Malta was seen by Ancien Régime. It is a book that island nation-state when Malta many caring princely parents will be interesting to historians was again threatened by Ottoman as one means to provide their and general readers alike.

63 IN THE FOOTSTEPSMany members of the Australian Association have gone on pilgrimage. Recently Confrere Superintendent Seán Parnell OAM KMG travelled to Greece and Turkey to walk in the OF ST PAUL footsteps of the Apostle St Paul. n July I was fortunate enough to join with the Northern Territory Catholic Education pilgrimage. The chosen journey Iwas entitled “In the Footsteps of St Paul” and covered St Paul’s journey throughout Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece. When St Paul first came to Athens it was predominantly a city which worshipped pagan gods. St Paul was taken before the city council at the Areopagus Hill, a rough outcrop of limestone rock from which he preached the Gospel message to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:16-21). We began our pilgrimage with a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis and the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34). Three of our highlights while in Athens was a visit to the Ancient Agora where St Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, the Plaka (Old Greece) and an exploration of the historic Parthenon. We were also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC, which was later tour of the Churches, crypt and surround structures, known as the ‘hidden churches’. restored for the staging of the first modern areas where we admired the amazing frescoes These structures were at some point in history Olympic Games in 1896. and mosaics. camouflaged in the form of barns to hide From Athens we journeyed out to Ancient Our next stop was the small Greek town them from the invading Ottoman Turks for Corinth where the Apostle Paul lived for of Kalambaka, built at the foot of the majestic fear they would destroy them. almost two years, teaching the people the grey rocks of Meteora. We spent what felt like In following the footsteps of St Paul, our Word of God and converting many. On arrival days marvelling at this unique phenomenon next port of call was literally a port city – the we viewed the Erastus inscription – dating of nature – a collection of 24 perpendicular port city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once from the 1st century AD – which describes a rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks named “Christoupolis” after being the first Christian convert, Erastus (Rom 16:23) who chose to worship God and build their cave- European city to accept Christianity. It was was the ‘director of public works’ in Corinth. like Monastic community of Meteora. We here that St Paul, St Timothy and St first While in Corinth we visited the city’s took to walking through quite a number of landed from Troas (Acts 16:11), one of the ancient ruins and the site where the Apostle these living monasteries and explored the great moments in the history of Christianity. preached the Gospel from the revered Public extraordinary collection of priceless religious From Kavala we journeyed up to Rostrum, as well as the Peirene fountain frescoes and other treasures that survive Philippi, named after King Philip II, father of and the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo, under the care and protection of a religious Alexander the Great. It was here that St Paul before our Chaplain, Rev Asaeli Raass community that continues to live and pray in won his first European convert, a woman SVD celebrated an outdoor Mass in such a and around Meteora. named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts stunning pilgrimage setting. Not far from Meteora is the ancient town 16:12-40).While in Philippi we visited the From Corinth we departed for Cenchreae, of Beroea, now modern Veria, to visit the Baptistery of Lydia and held a beautiful the ancient port from where St Paul said “Bema” – an impressive monument to St Paul. outdoor Mass on the breathtaking oasis next farewell to the believers and departed for According to local folklore, the monument to the River Zygaktis, and our group renewed Ephesus (Acts 18:18), where we travelled is believed to incorporate the steps from the its Baptismal vows. We took the opportunity north to the remarkable Byzantine Monastery original synagogue in Beroea from which St to pay a visit to the market place (where St of Hosios Loukas, built in the 11th century on Paul preached the gospel to the Jews of the Paul and St Silas were brought before the city’s the slopes of Mt Helikon. In 1990 UNESCO region, who welcomed the word of God and rulers) and the water cistern which tradition included this site on their World Heritage List. began to study the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). identifies as the place where St Paul was On arrival we celebrated our second outdoor It was also at this time that a small church imprisoned. We also listened to the story of Mass with Fr Raass in the grounds of the was established in Beroea. While in the town Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous Monastery and were later taken on a guided we visited a collection of about 20 Byzantine release at the city’s ancient theatre.

64 TRAVEL TRAVEL

In departing Philippi, we journeyed east along the ancient route St Paul took via Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) where we viewed the ruins of quite a number of early Christian basilicas. When we finally arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, founded in 315 BC, and where St Paul preached during the winters of 49-50AD and wrote the two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. It was here that he established the first Christian Church in Europe. Our visit included the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we saw pieces of the pulpit from which St Paul preached. We were also lucky enough to visit the Roman Agora where St Paul also preached. Nearby we visited St Demetrios’ Church dedicated to a Roman Zoodochos Pigi and its icons dating from the Ecumenical Council took place in 431AD and soldier who converted to Christianity, and 16th to the 18th century. We also enjoyed a where Our Lady was proclaimed “Mother of was later martyred. The Church is home to short scenic tour of the island. G o d ”. some very valuable mosaics and frescoes, and The group chartered a boat to Kusadasi, On our final day we ascended the hill when we descended in to the Church’s crypt the doorway to Ephesus, the Churches of to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is we found the remains of some ancient Roman Revelation and Gallipoli. We travelled directly said Mary spent the later years of her life. We baths and streets. to Ephesus on a beautiful Turkish morning, celebrated our last group Mass here in one Following our visit to St Demetrios’ we to the most famous of the Seven Churches of of the chapels before visiting the restored ascended to the ‘ano poli’ (old town) to the Revelation (Rev 2:1-7) where St Paul spent remains of the 6th century Basilica of St John Byzantine Vlatadon Monastery, built over more than two years in the course of his third at Celcuk, where a small church was originally Jason’s house (Acts 17:5) where St Paul stayed missionary journey. It was to the Christian built over the tomb of St . during his time in Thessaloniki. community of Ephesus that St Paul wrote The Order of Malta and its international From Thessaloniki we returned to the his greatest and most challenging letter (the reach was also evident in our journey, as our Athenian port of Piraeus and embarked by epistle to the Ephesians) and also succeeded group were lucky enough to have witnessed a boat to the Dodecanese island of Patmos, in converting many away from worship of the truck from Malteser International waiting at where St John the Beloved wrote the Book of god Artemis. the border to enter Turkey on a humanitarian Revelation. Our visit included the ruins where St relief mission. We also came across the eight- Lying between the islands of Leros and Paul lived and preached, we saw the prison of pointed Maltese cross carved into the walls Ikaria is the ‘ascetic shaped’ Patmos, called St Paul, walked through the ancient marble of a number of the Byzantine-era churches the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ due to the streets founded in the 10th century BC and throughout Turkey. overwhelming atmosphere of the island through most ‘complete’ Roman city which We departed Turkey for home on the during the great celebrations of Christianity. provided our group with an excellent window eve of the foiled coup attempt against the We began our day on Patmos with a into Imperial Rome. Our tour also took in Government and so missed visiting Istanbul walking tour of the main square of the village the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus (the ancient Christian capital of the Eastern of Chora. This is the traditional settlement and the city’s enormous amphitheatre (Acts , Constantinople). However, and capital of Patmos, where the narrow 19:29-31), before we paid a visit to the ruins this has left me with a city and a new streets were designed to ward off pirates over of the Christian Basilica where the Third pilgrimage for a future date. the centuries. Ascend to the Monastery of St John the Beloved, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century, for a visit and celebration of Mass. Our exploration of this living monastery culminated with spending time in the actual Cave of Revelation where God chose to reveal to St John the mysteries of the last book of the Bible - the Apocalypse. Photo Credits: Sovereign Order of Malta, 29 April, 2017. The cave is now at the foot of a monastery, which houses priceless icons and manuscripts, sacred relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold threads and bejeweled with precious stones. We continued to the active Convent of Evangelismos (Annunciation) built by the hieromonk Nikiphoros who was cured from the plague after praying to St . We visited the Convent of

66 Meeting of the Council Complete of State, 29 April 2017 Australia was represented by Confrere Dr Ian Marshall AM AE KC*SG KGCMG(Ob) and Confrere Professor David Kissane KMG(Ob) SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA POSTE MAGISTRALI

Sebastiano Mainardi: Natività di Gesù. Città del Vaticano, Pinacoteca Vaticana (Musei Vaticani) ©2017. Image Credit – courtesy Vatican Museum, .

ORDER OF MALTA The Order’s website in Australia: www.orderofmalta.org.au AUSTRALIA /orderofmalta.org.au /orderofmaltaau

The Order’s international website: www.orderofmalta.int The Malteser International website: www.malteser-international.org