Grand Master’s Private Visit – MASMOM’s 60th Anniversary
Inauguration of the MASMOM Volunteer Gozo Premises
His Most Emiment Highness, the Prince and Grand Master, Fra’ John Dunlap, visited Malta between the 5th and 7 December, on the invitation of the Maltese Association to participate at the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Maltese Association. He was accompanied by The Grand Chancellor, H.E. Riccado Paterno’ di Montecupo and the Receiver of the Common Treasure, H.E. Fra’ Francis Vassallo.
Saturday’s events started with a visit to the spiritual seat of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Gozo, the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Xewkija. The Grand Master was welcomed by Archpriest Mgr. Daniel Xerri, who gave a guided tour of the church and its history.
H.M.E.H. The Prince and Grand Master proceeded to the building housing the Order of Malta Volunteers in Gozo, to officially inaugurate the premises after extensive renovation works carried out by the Association, and these were blessed by the His Lordship the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr. Anton Theuma. This was followed by a reception attended by H.M.E.H. The Prince and Grand Master, H.E. The Grand Chancellor, H.E. The Receiver, the President and Council of the Maltese Association, members of the Order resident in Gozo, as well as volunteers.
Holy Mass was later celebrated by the Principal Chaplain, the Very Reverend Mgr Brendan Gatt, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu.
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Gala Dinner:
A Gala Dinner commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Maltese Association was held at the Grand Masters’ Palace in Valletta on the 6 December 2025. This was held by gracious permission of H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, and was attended by over 150 members, volunteers and guests. Patrons were welcomed at the entrance to the Palace by members of the Association’s Canine SAR Unit, together with their dogs.
Her Excellency Miriam Spiteri Debono President of Malta, His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap, His Grace Mgr Charles Jude Scicluna Metroplitan Archbishop of Malta, H.E. The Grand Chancellor Riccado Paterno’ di Montecupo, H.E. The Receiver of the Common Treasure Fra’ Francis Vassallo, The Ambassador of the Order to Malta H.E. Prince Augusto Ruffo di Calabria, H.E. Dr Michael Grech President, and Council of the Maltese Association, attended.
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In his address, the President of the Maltese Association, H.E. Dr Michael Grech, thanked the President of the Republic of Malta H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, and remarked that there could be no better venue than the Grand Masters’ Palace in Valletta, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Maltese Association, from where, the previous Grand Masters ruled the Order, Malta and their territories. He also thanked the Grand Master, His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ John Dunlap, for taking the time from his busy schedule to be present on this day. Dr Grech thanked the dignatories present, his predessors, and the members and volunteers, for the six decades of steadfast dedication to the Order’s charisms, Tuitio Fidei and Obsequim Pauperum.
President Spiteri Debono said that this occasion also served to celebrate the indissolouble bond that exists between the Republic of Malta and the Order of Malta. Her Excellency acknowledged the work that the Maltese Association does in the humanitarian field, based on the two fundamental principles. She paid tribute to all the volunteers, professionals and countless others who uphold this tradition and gave time and energy to the service of others. The President dwelt on some of the important activities that are organised by the Association such as the pilgrimages and Summer Youth Camps.
The Grand Master said that it was a true pleasure to be present, in a country which not only shared its name with the Order, but with which there existed a deep bond of history and spirit. He was pleased to recall that Malta was the first country he visited following his election as Grand Master in June 2023, where he had the privilige of admiring the beautiful Perellos Tapestries that now grace what was once the Order’s conventual church. The Grand Master thanked Her Excellency for her generous hospitality in welcoming all to, what he jokingly referred to as, “his palace”. He thanked Dr Grech for his devoted leadership of the Maltese Association to carry out the Order’s mission. Earlier in the day His Highness inaugurated the new MASMOM Volunteer premises in Gozo, to open new opportunities for service. He highlighted the Order’s international works and confirmed the enduring friendship between the Order of Malta and the Republic of Malta.
His Grace Mgr Charles Jude Scicluna, Metroplitan Archbishop of Malta, lead the prayers before the meal.
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History of the Maltese Association
In 1960, a group of knights resident in Malta met under the chairmanship of Archbishop Sir Michael Gonzi to give a proper structure to their activities on the island. Until then most knights were members of the Order “in gremio religionis”. At the time Malta was still a British colony.
A premises was found at 168, St Ursula Street Valletta and the group of Maltese knights began to attend together several events, as well as increase their work with the sick and poor people on the island.
The celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta, held in 1965, attracted many knights from around the globe. It was during these celebrations that Fra’ Enrico Montalto de Fragnito, in formally opening the premises in Valletta, read the Decree 125/4156, dated 2nd September 1965, whereby Grand Master Fra’ Angelo de Mojana proclaimed the setting up of the Maltese Association, with all knights resident in Malta becoming its members.
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The photos of the events are in the galleries below:
Xewkija Parish Church:
Inauguration of the new Gozo Premises:
Mass at Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary:
Gala Dinner at the Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta:
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