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The Volunteers of the Order organised a Christmas party on the 9th December at the Marsa Sports Club, bringing together cherished guests and friends. Around 100 Guests and Volunteers were present to join in the fun. Participants were served starters of bruschetta and hummus, a selection of sausages and burgers for the main course, followed by dessert and coffee. In the spirit of the festive season, Father Christmas made an unexpected entrance after dinner, delighting everyone with the distribution of Christmas gifts and hampers. Heartfelt thanks from all of us at VOTO to Andrew Portelli / De Mattos & Sullivan for helping out with the Christmas presents for our dear guests and friends. Two luggage scooters were also won through a raffle ticket which was given out to every participant on arrival.

Season’s Greetings to all!

The Volunteers of the Order (VOTO) organised a Christmas gathering for members and aspirants at AYU – The Travellers Kitchen, Gżira, on 3 December 2025.

The evening began with an Advent talk delivered by Mgr Brendan Gatt at the Gżira Parish Church, offering a moment of reflection and spiritual preparation during the Advent season. Following the talk, members gathered at AYU, where drinks and nibbles were served to the 44 attendees present, creating a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Adding a festive touch to the evening, each attendee was presented with a raffle ticket upon arrival, building a sense of anticipation throughout the gathering. As the evening drew to a close, a lottery was held, with a lucky winner taking home a prize!

It was a truly pleasant evening, providing a wonderful opportunity for members and aspirants to connect, unwind, and reflect on the spirit of unity and celebration that characterises the Christmas season.

The VOTO Council extends its heartfelt wishes to all members and their families for a happy and holy Christmas.

The Volunteers of The Order hosted their annual Fundraising Autumn Lunch at Villa Arrigo on Sunday, 23rd November 2025. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 230 adults and children, and 26 volunteers contributing their time and energy throughout the day.

The afternoon began with a holy mass celebrated by Mgr Brendan Gatt. Following this, attendees enjoyed a selection of welcome drinks and appetisers served by our dedicated volunteers. The seated lunch consisted of a risotto starter, the traditional slow-roasted pork accompanied by delicious honey glazed carrots, peas and pancetta, onions, potatoes and other sides. Children were treated to a homemade timpana. The meal concluded with an array of delightful desserts and petit fours, lovingly prepared by numerous volunteers, served alongside coffee.

The afternoon was capped off with an exciting raffle with 14 prizes generously donated by Vignobles LeGault, The Salini Hotel, Michelle Gialanze’, Kitchen Concepts, The Seafood Market Grill by Adam, Nickie Sultana, L’Ancora, Miranda Publishers, Optika, The Phoenicia Hotel, A.M. Mangion, Danny’s Kitchen & Deli, and Gio. Batta Delia. This event was lovingly organised by the dedicated members of the VOTO Council, whose tireless efforts, alongside the invaluable support of numerous volunteers, ensured its success. Special thanks go to Villa Arrigo, to all sponsors, donors, and supporters, and all those who attended. Such generosity and enthusiasm enable VOTO to continue raising funds for our cherished special Guests – funds raised from this event contribute towards pilgrims attending the upcoming Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this gathering such a resounding success!

The Volunteers of the Order organised a day trip to Gozo on Saturday, September 13, 2025, for Guests and families who had previously participated in the Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage and International Summer Camps. Approximately 100 Guests and Volunteers attended the event. Participants gathered at Ċirkewwa at 8:00 AM and took the ferry to Gozo. Upon arriving at Mġarr Harbour, transportation was provided by vans from Dar tal-Providenza, OMVG, and private coaches, which brought everyone to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Għarb. Mons. Brendan Gatt celebrated Mass at 10:30 AM. Afterward, participants had time for prayer and reflection at the Shrine behind the altar before heading to Marsalforn for lunch at Smuggler’s. The group then returned to Mġarr Harbour for the 4:00 PM ferry back to Malta.

Building on the success of previous years, a social evening/ fundraising BBQ for current and former Summer Camp attendees, their families, and volunteers was organised on the 5th July 2025. The event began with a mass celebration led by Fr Jean Gove’, followed by welcome drinks and a BBQ at the Marsa Sports Club. The evening was a resounding success, attracting approximately 100 guests. This event serves both as a reunion and a fundraising activity, aiming to generate funds for this year’s International Summer Camp, scheduled to take place in The Netherlands between the 10th-17th August 2025.

On May 28th, over 100 guests and volunteers came together at Kulu Marsa Sports Club for a fun-filled afternoon of games and good food!
The event kicked off with bruschetta and dips served alongside the first round of bingo. After a delicious pizza break, the excitement continued with a second round—complete with fantastic prizes and goodies, generously provided by our sponsors. 🏆🎁
A heartfelt thank you to Kulu Marsa Sports Club for hosting us so warmly. It was a joyful afternoon enjoyed by all!

The Lourdes Personnel Reunion was held on Wednesday, 22nd May at 20:00 at Medea, Salini, bringing together just under 100 attendees for an enjoyable evening BBQ on the terrace.
The relaxed atmosphere offered volunteers the perfect opportunity to reconnect and share meaningful experiences from their time in Lourdes.
As the evening drew to a close, VOTO Chairperson, Ms Diana Testaferrata Moroni Viani took a moment to thank all those present for their ongoing support and active participation. She was joined by MASMOM President, Dr Michael Grech, who also expressed his gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication during the Lourdes pilgrimage, and commended VOTO for its continued commitment to supporting fundraising efforts.
Special mention was also made of the Lenten Talk: Drinks & Nibbles event sponsored by Drift on 14th April. A cheque was officially presented to VOTO and MAMOM by Simon Mamo on behalf of drift to support the upcoming VOTO and MASMOM pilgrimages to Ta’ Pinu in Gozo.

Video footage of event can be found here: