60th Anniversary of the Constitution Of The Maltese Association
The commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta was held with important events taking place between the 4th and the 8th of September 1965.
A good number of Knights came to Malta to join the Maltese members of the Order, which included a strong presence of Knights from the British Association of the Order, as well as the Venerable Order of Saint John.
Representing the late Grand Master Angelo de Mojana di Cologna and the Sovereign Council was Fra’ Enrico Montalto de Fragnito, Vice Chancellor of the Sovereign Order.
Until then, the Maltese Members of the Order were known as “The Group of Maltese Knights” and they were led by a committee presided over H.G. Sir Michael Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta.
On the evening of the 7th of September 1965, the Vice Chancellor of the Order officially inaugurated the premises of the Maltese Knights at 196, Saint Ursula Street Valetta. During that event, Fra’ Enrico Montalto de Fragnito announced that H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master, Fra’ Angelo de Mojana di Cologna, had, on the 2nd of September 1965, decreed the constitution of the Maltese Association of the Order, to be formed by all those Members of the Order resident in Malta, and having its seat in Valletta. Furthermore, those Knights who until then were considered being members of the Order “in Gremio Religionis”, would, likewise, considered Members of the Maltese Association.
Archbishop Sir Michael Gonzi, became the first President of the Maltese Association, while Professor Monsignor Edward Coleiro became the first Chancellor.
As has been advised, the President, Council and Members of the Maltese Association will be celebrating this momentous event in the coming months.
NBS
