On Wednesday 7th September 2011, members of the Order of the Knights of St John gathered at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for the traditional memorial service for those knights of the Order who gave their lives in defence of Christianity and Malta during the Great Siege of 1565.
Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. and assisted by members of the Cathedral Chapter of the Co-Cathedral.
Towards the end of Mass, Members of the Order processed together with the Archbishop to the Great Siege Memorial Graveyard where prayers of remembrance were offered for those Knights that lost their lives during the Siege. After prayers the MASMOM President, Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, laid a wreath of remembrance at the foot of the memorial.
The procession then moved back to the Co-Cathedral. Prayers of remembrance were offered at the grave of one of the heroes of the Great Siege, Frà Don Melchior de Robles, which is situated in the Chapel of the Langue of Auvernge and dedicated to St. Sebastian.
The procession then proceeded to the Chapel of the Anglo-Bavarian langue also known as the Shrine of the Holy Relics where the entrance to the Crypt of Jean Parisot de La Vallette, Grand Master at the time of the Great Siege, is situated. Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. also offered prayers of remembrance and for the repose of his soul.
Finally the procession filed back to the main altar for the blessing at the end of Holy Mass.
Agħfas fuq ir-ritratt biex tkabbar. Ir-ritratti tal-attivitajiet tal-Arċisqof jistgħu jinkisbu mill-ħanut PHOTOCITY, il-Belt. Tel: 21236723. Email: [email protected]