Ash Wednesday Holy Mass
In honour of established tradition, various Members of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta lead by Vice President Major Ray Miller responded to the invitation extended to them by Archpriest Canon Karm Busuttil and the Collegiate Chapter of St. Lawrence Collegiate Church in Birgu to join in the very special liturgy of Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of Lent. Fra’ Francis Vassallo was also in attendance.
Owing to the prevailing inclement weather, the customary outdoor procession for the translation of the revered Reliquary of the ‘Vero Legno’ brought to Malta by Philippe Villiers de L’Isle-Adam, from the Monastery of Santa Scolastica to St Lawrence Conventual Church, had to be cancelled, the procession taking place instead within the Church precincts themselves.
Archpriest Canon Karm Busuttil, as Main Celebrant, delivered a most befitting homily focussing on the importance and salutary value of fasting during this very holy time, as willed by Our Lord himself, as well as on the need to thirst for Christ.
This was then followed by the administration of ashes, symbolising the dust from which God made us, accompanied by the humbling yet encouraging words “Repent and believe in the Good News” .
After Holy Eucharist, the ceremony was concluded by the public veneration of the Reliquary.
In keeping with the Lenten spirit of fasting, Archpriest Canon Karm Busuttil then cordially invited Members in attendance to the traditional black coffee served in the Sacristy.
