News

Annual celebration of the birth of St John Baptist, patron saint of the Order of Malta, takes place in London

Nurturing, protecting, giving testimony – care for those in need, inspired by Christian love

London, 23 June 2018

St John’s Day, Brompton Oratory, London

The glorious Mozart Coronation Mass rang out in the Brompton Oratory, London, yesterday, as members, friends and volunteers of the Order of Malta gathered to mark the annual celebrations for the Baptist’s birth. Similarly, ceremonies were taking place around the world in the Order’s 47 national Associations.

In his homily, Dr. Fr.Michael Lang, Cong.Orat., said: ‘It is the nurturing, protecting and giving testimony, which the Baptist inspires in us, which makes the Order of Malta the special force that it is. Our Christian inspiration is the deepest motive.’

The Order runs projects in 120 countries and counts over 100,000 members, staff and volunteers carrying out its work worldwide. In Britain, the Order has soup kitchens, care for addiction addicts, and, with the Venerable Order, runs 70 residential homes in four counties, as well as 12 assisted living accommodations. Last year it saw 60,000 volunteer hours of service for those in need.