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Home , Alfred Xuereb, Andrew Bertie, Angelo Acerbi, Archbishop, Chancellor, Giovanni Lajolo

Published by the Grand MaGistry of the sovereiGn Military hosPitaller of st. John of of rhodes and of the Orderof Malta April 09 Newsletter ABRUZZO EARTHQUAKE: Order medical teams assist 1,000 displaced persons in Brussels with the President of the European Commission An Agreement with great implications

n mid february (16-19), the international Cooperation agreement. groups, dissemination of international i Grand Master, fra’ Matthew a wide range of cooperation was set human rights, inter-cultural and inter- festing, made an visit out: assistance in emergency and post- religious dialogue and sponsorship of to the european Commission in crisis situations including seminars and workshops on topics of brussels. rehabilitation and development, common interest. received by the President of the medical and social assistance to “the agreement underlines the Commission, José Manuel barroso, persons involved in migration, support strengthening of the relationship the Grand Master, together with the to local economic and social between the order and europe,” noted Grand , Jean-Pierre development, protection of victims of the Grand Master, and President Mazery, signed an important trafficking and other vulnerable barroso affirmed: “the european Commission shares the order of Malta’s values and mission and will do the passing all it can to support its work.” the Grand Master will meet again with of the order’s President barroso, in , in the Cardinal Patronus Magistral villa. the busy few days also included meetings with hans-Gert Pöttering, Cardinal Pio Laghi, the Order’s President of the european Cardinal Patronus for 16 eventful Javier solana, eu foreign policy chief, years, left us on 10 January. and with nato secretary-General His last message to the Order was Jaap de hoop scheffer. a delegation of read with emotion by the Grand european MPs offered a luncheon in Master Fra’ , honour of the Grand Master in the to the attendants at the Order’s Parliament building and he also met Venice Strategy Seminar which took the board and members of the order of place the following week and where Malta’s belgian association. had planned Particularly significant was the visit to to address the participants. la fontaine, a social centre for the Instead, his touching words, dictated homeless run by the order’s belgian ■ Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing with European in the fading moments of his life, Commission President José Manuel Barroso association in bruxelles. ■ expressed his love for the Order and he exhorted members to continue their charitable activities INSIDE ■ Memorial Mass honours Fra’ , 78th Grand Master ■ Italian in the spirit of Christian love, Emergency Corps assist 1,000 displaced persons after Abruzzo earthquake ■ State Visit to

which is at the heart of the Order’s ■ Order’s Hungarian Hospitaller Service celebrates 20 years ■ Cardinal Lajolo

work. honoured by the Order ■ Ceremony on the Aventine welcomes new members ■ International

(Continues p 2) Seminar in Venice ■ Grand appointed ■ the passing of the order’s Cardinal Patronus

Requiem Mass in St. ’s in the presence of the (Continues from page 1) The Grand Master praised Cardinal Laghi’s work for the Order, describing him as “one of its most eminent members and a great moral and spiritual guide.” Requiem Mass was celebrated on 13 January in St. Peter’s Basilica by the of the , . During the ceremony Pope Benedict XVI recalled Cardinal Laghi’s long and distinguished service to the as one of the most expert Vatican diplomats, and then his appointment as of the Congregation for Education in 1991. The Pontiff recalled that John Paul II also assigned him in May 1993 to “the high role of Patron of the Sovereign Order of Malta.” The funeral was attended by the Grand Master, the members of the Sovereign Council, the Prelate of the Order, Mons.Angelo Acerbi, and many members

of the Order of Malta. ■ ■ Cardinal Patronus of the Order, Cardinal Pio Laghi (1922-2009) Memorial Mass honours Fra’ Andrew Bertie, 78th Grand Master An inspiring life remembered

n 7th february, exactly Cardinals, at the anniversary Mass he fra’ Matthew festing, cardinals Jean o a year from the passing celebrated in the basilica of st.alessio louis tauran, , andrea of the 78th Grand Master and st.bonifacio, on the aventine in Cordero lanza di Montezemolo, of the order of Malta, fra' andrew rome. in his homily Cardinal sodano , members of the bertie, his life, didication and works paid tribute to fra’ andrew’s sovereign Council, the italian on behalf of the order were celebrated. dedication in his twenty years at the undersecretary of state Gianni letta, they were recalled in a moving head of the order, saying: “his entire the diplomatic Corps and many order acknowledgement by Cardinal angelo life was inspired by profound representatives and members were

sodano, dean of the College of principles of faith.” the Grand Master among the assembly. ■

■ A moment during the celebration in the Basilica of St.Alessio and St.Bonifacio

the order of Malta 2 apr 09 Abruzzo earthquake: the Emergency Corps of the Order aids 1,000 displaced persons

he order of Malta italian 2,000 meals per day. t emergency Corps (CisoM) two trained sniffer dogs of the is providing aid for 1,000 emergency Corps aided the national CISOM displaced persons affected by the fire department to find survivors abruzzo earthquake. With their in l’aquila, helping find 36 survivors, the italian emergency Corps medical personnel, rescue workers pulled out alive from the rubble of the order of Malta and specialised nurses, the volunteers of buildings in l’aquila. was founded in 1970 and is part of the order have been working non- on behalf of the italian Civil of the italian Civil Protection stop under the coordination of the Protection, the order’s emergency network. italian Civil Protection since early Corps will continue to manage Monday 6 april, when an earthquake the two camps for the duration of the it carries out immediate first measuring 6.3 on the richter scale hit state of emergency, which is expected aid in emergencies with 70 the town of l’aquila. the earthquake to last for at least three months, groups across the country, has so far caused 293 deaths, more as the earth continues to tremble. counting on 1,800 volunteers. than 1,600 injured and left 28,000 homeless. the order’s volunteers You can support the victims the emergency Corps aids are concentrating aid at the epicentre of the earthquake by sending your victims of natural disasters of the earthquake, Poggio di roio, contribution to: and humanitarian emergencies, where they have set up a ‘tent city’, ACISMOM as well as providing medical providing 700 beds, with another account number 000401124060 aid at major public events. 275 beds in nearby san felice d’ocre. bank: unicredit banca di roma the order’s two medical centres, iban: it 06 J 03002 03223 Website: on continuous duty, treated over 150 000401124060 www.ordinedimaltaitalia.org patients in the first tumultuous days. biC-sWift: broMitr1723 the team is currently providing over reference: terremoto abruzzo ■

■ The Order of Malta Emergency Corps sniffer dogs look for survivors in L'Aquila

the order of Malta 3 apr 09 foCus on State visit to Hungary hunGary Grand Master and Hungarian authorities celebrate a continuing commitment

he Grand Master, fra’ “after the revolution of 1956 the order the hungarian authorities to work in t Matthew festing, at the of Malta was able to offer immediate numerous health and social centres invitation of the President of assistance to thousands of refugees and with the support of our embassy. the republic of hungary, lászló homeless people,” the Grand Master several programmes have been set up sólyom, visited the country in early recalled during his Press Conference to tackle these commitments, february. following his talks with the together with President sólyom. “in including the creation of a national President at the sandor , 1989 the traditional friendship between network,” he said. budapest, the Grand Master and his the order and hungary – interrupted the Grand Master also met with delegation had talks with the speaker for several years – was re-established members of the order’s hungarian of the hungarian Parliament Katalin after the country regained its freedom association and the order’s hungarian szili, the Prime ferenc and national independence. since then, hospitaller service (MMsZ) Gyurcsány, the Minister of foreign the order’s hungarian association and volunteers, where he was able to offer affairs Kinga Göncz, the Cardinal its hospitaller service, the MMsZ – his personal congratulations and to Peter erdő and the celebrating its 20th anniversary this thank them for their continued apostolic Juliusz Janusz. year – have accepted the invitation of dedication and commitment. ■

■ Grand Master Festing and President Solyom during the press conference

the order of Malta 4 apr 09 foCus on The MMSZ in action hunGary The Order’s hospitaller service counts 13,000 employees and volunteers

oordinated by the order’s 'prevention by playing' programme The figures C association, the order’s where the aim is to prevent crimes in 2008, MMsZ distributed goods hungarian hospitaller committed out of boredom, by worth 2.5m euro to the needy. its service (MMsZ) works in healthcare promoting communities and activities services cover: and social centres throughout the for the young. institutional care: the elderly-15 country. “i am very pleased that the homes; the homeless – 22 institutions; hungarian authorities have shown The foreground the disabled - 8; child protection -20; their appreciation for the results in addition to its employee structure addicted - 7; healthcare and services – obtained,” the Grand Master fra’ of 900, MMsZ has 12,000 trained 44; a total of 10,000 people cared for in Matthew festing said after his volunteers. it owns and manages six institutions every year. a pre- meeting with President sólyom. hospitals and nursing homes Christmas food collection 2008 meant in nine hungarian cities, caring that 121 tons of food worth 195,000 The background for 2,200 people. euro could be purchased and the Magyar Maltai szeretetszolgalat the sweep of MMsZ activities is broad distributed to 14,000. another (MMsZ), was founded 1989. - from day care centres and clubs imaginative project was the creation of in its 20 years of service to the poor for seniors, to an outpatient care a 'donation card’ agreed with a and the sick, it has grown to become service, the supply of medicines supermarket which resulted in further the largest provider of social facilities to the sick poor, a mobile X-ray unit donations. in hungary, running almost 200 social for prevention of tuberculosis, the MMsZ rescue team for victims of institutions. soup kitchen services which provide national disasters became official in it has three foci: voluntary groups and around 18,000 meals daily - to name 2008, having been already working for donations, mostly in kind; social and just some. one of the organisation’s 10 years. in 2009, its 20th anniversary healthcare system, such as childcare, most imaginative projects year, MMsZ reaffirms its aims - to the disabled, the homeless, the is the equipping of a former German establish support for the needy, elderly; and problem solving social hospital train so that it is now able reinforce and expand the donor base strategies. an example of this last: a to house 110 homeless. and create strategic partnerships. ■

■ MMSZ rescue teams are ready to assist in times of emergency or disaster

the order of Malta 5 apr 09 Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo honoured by the Order of Malta

he Grand Master, fra’ and devotion of the order. supreme ones – have driven t Matthew festing received in his speech of thanks, the President the members of the order since Cardinal Giovanni lajolo of the Governorate of the beginning of their history.” at the Magistral Palace in January state described the order as “spreading and he concluded: “the order and conferred on him the the Christian virtues of love has always focused on the new, of of honour and brotherhood. these ideals – indeed emerging needs that are endlessly arising in our society.” the centuries old relationship between the order of Malta and the vatican was also extended to postal services. on 24 June last year an agreement was signed which recognises the full validity of stamps issued by the order

of Malta and the vatican. ■

Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo was born in novara, studied the- ology in rome and Munich, was ordained in 1960 and a in 1989. he was apostolic nuncio in from 1995 to 2003, then secretary for the relationships with states of the holy see (vatican ). in 2006 he was appointed by Pope benedict Xvi as President of the Governorate of vatican City.

■ The Grand Master congratulates Cardinal Lajolo Ceremony on the Aventine welcomes new members

t the recent february the sovereign Council. born in victoria- in various posts, before his current a ceremony for new admissions Gozo, Malta, in 1958, since september appointment. also welcomed as new to the order, in the order’s 2007 Mons. alfred Xuereb is personal members of the order at the ceremony Church of santa Maria dell’aventino, secretary to Pope benedict Xvi, together were archduke Gerhard of -este, Mons. alfred Xuereb was admitted into with Mons. Georg Gaenswein. after archduke Martin and Katharina of the order of Malta as Conventual in Malta, Mons. Xuereb took austria-este, archduke Carl Philipp and ad honorem by Grand Master his doctorate at the Gregorian annie-Claire of austria and archduke fra’ Matthew festing and members of , worked in the roman and Maria of austria. ■

the order of Malta 6 apr 09 International Seminar in Venice Order leaders look to the future in a changing world

at this venice seminar and discussed their own topics we wished to convey in detail and deliberated on the to the members of the order demands this century will make upon who“ hold posts of responsibility all. in every group, the focus was the challenges that they can expect on reviewing spiritual commitment ■ Fra’ Gherardo Hercolani to see over the next ten years and its development in the future, and the skills we must develop,” on the promotion of the order’s many Grand Commander appointed Winfried henckel von donnersmarck, charitable activities around the world The Grand Commander Chairman, noted at the start and its special international of the Order, Fra’ Gherardo of the order’s international seminar programmes, the promotion Hercolani Fava Simonetti took in venice mid January, attended of pilgrimages, the order as promoter up his new role last month, having by over 400 order leaders from of peace among nations, religions been appointed at the Sovereign the five continents. and societies and the order’s response Council meeting of 12 February, opening the meeting, Grand Master to the needs of the 21st century. on the occasion of Fra’ Giacomo fra’ Matthew festing remembered the highly successful meeting Dalla Torre’s election as Grand first of all the Cardinal Patronus was acknowledged by the Grand of Rome. of the order, Pio laghi, who had died Master, and participants echoed Fra’ Gherardo Hercolani was born just days before, and whose message his reactions both in their comments in Bologna, entered the Order to the participants - to honour their and their resolve to carry forward in 1963 and in 1967 took his vows tasks, their commitment, the Church – with energy and strength the order’s as a Professed . he read with emotion. ancient, unending mission: tuitio fidei, Fra’ Gherardo was formerly the fra’ Matthew stressed some of the obsequium pauperum. Grand Prior of Lombardy and order’s priorities: the encouragement the seminar ended with a solemn Venice (1984-94) and since 2006 of vocations, the extension high Mass in the splendour has been a member of the Order’s and enhancement of health care of st.’s basilica, celebrated Sovereign Council. and humanitarian operations, by the of venice, Cardinal The Grand Commander is the and the order’s emergency relief , who outlined the order’s religious of the Professed service, . humanitarian and spiritual mission: and of the Knights and special meetings were convened “from faith to action: faithfulness in Obedience and is in for the Professed knights, to its origin is where lies the secret charge of instructing the the Presidents, the hospitallers of the life of your charism, now over members of the Order in the and the order’s diplomatic Corps, a thousand years old and yet still fresh fulfilment of the principles of

and then twelve working groups met with youth.” ■ living the Faith and caring for the poor and the sick. At the same meeting, in place of Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre, the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council appointed Duncan Gallie to the Sovereign Council. Entering the Order in 1995, he is a knight of Justice, Pro-Chancellor of the Grand of and Senior Master at St.Edmund’s School, Ware, England.

■ Twelve Working Groups defined the future of the Order

the order of Malta 7 apr 09 Medical donations in Bulgaria The Order of Malta and THE ORDER’S BILATERAL the bulgarian authorities have sign Postal Convention DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: expressed their great appreciation a Postal Convention signed between THE NEW AMBASSADORS to the order’s ambassador the sovereign Military order of Malta in bulgaria, Camillo Zuccoli, and Montenegro on 23 february letters of Credence recently presented for the much-needed donations initiates a regular postal service to hMeh the Grand Master, fra’ in kind to 50 towns over the last between Montenegro and the sovereign Matthew festing at the Magistral four years. eight ultrasound scanners order. the Convention, effective from Palace, rome, were for the early detection of cancer 1 March, was signed by Jean-Pierre - Czech republic, he Pavel vosalíkv symptoms, cardiac defibrillators Mazery, Grand Chancellor, and Gian - , he Pradap Pibulsonggram and eco-dopplers have been donated luca Chiavari, receiver of the - , he vytautas alisauskas and installed at separate hospitals, Common treasure, with andrja - , he tetiana izhevska with numerous consignments of food lompar, Minister of transport and - hungary, h.e. János balassa and clothing delivered to care homes Communications of Montenegro during - seychelles, h.e. Graziano luigi triboldi for elderly people. the embassy a ceremony held in the order’s the order has steadily increased its has also provided an ambulance Magistral Palace in rome. diplomatic relations in recent years and a mini van for the King ferdinand Montenegro is the 54th country with and currently has bilateral diplomatic hospital for Pulmonary diseases which the sovereign order has signed relations with 102 countries. ■ in iskretz. ■ agreements for the circulation of mail bearing its stamps. established in Order action in Cuba 1966, the order of Malta’s Magistral after Hurricane Ike Postal service has to date issued 387 FORTHCOMING EVENTS hurricane ike which hit Cuba late series of stamps, with images last year left chaos in its wake and still concerning the order of Malta, today reconstruction work goes on. religious themes, the order’s history, The Order’s International Pilgrimage immediately following the catastrophe, its art heritage and its humanitarian takes place 1 – 5 May the order’s embassy in havana swung works. revenue from the sale of its into action with food and basic stamps provides a contribution towards Order of Malta’s International necessities, bringing them to the the order of Malta’s funding for its

Summer Camp for Disabled Youth stricken victims, thousands of whom health and humanitarian works. ■ takes place in Segovia, Spain had lost homes and livelihood. 15-23 August the donations, which went to the region of Pinar del rio, were effected with the help of the local bishop. in the city of las Pozas, volunteers HIGHLIGHTS FROM CURRENT distributed packages of food ACTIONS A ROUND THE WORLD and clothing, while the damaged hospital of san Cristobal received Relief for Sri Lanka victims extra supplies of bedding and Malteser international has launched a medicines. the embassy’s future plans relief action for victims of sri lanka’s cover the rebuilding of houses – a ■ Jean-Pierre Mazery and Gian Luca Chiavari recent civil war. in northern sri lanka, project which will take many months. ■ with Andrja Lompar distribution of hygiene kits, clothing, mosquito nets and food supplies for internally displaced persons forced into ‘transit camps’ is underway. but in spite of these interventions and other the Orderof Malta support actions, the situation in the Newsletter camps is deteriorating, and people do The email newsletter of Editorial www.orderofmalta.org not have enough drinking water and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta [email protected] Hospitaller Order of Communications Office food. the threats of starvation and St. John of Jerusalem Via Condotti 68 Design & DTP of Rhodes and of Malta 00187 Rome Vertigo Design disease are ever present. ■

the order of Malta 8 apr 09