The Grand Master and members of the Sovereign Council joined the Order’s Western Association in participating in ceremonies to celebrate the Association’s fiftieth anniversary. Events and religious functions commemorated a half-century of charitable activities dedicated to helping the poor and sick.

During his visit, Saint John’s University of Minnesota bestowed an honorary law degree on the Grand Master, with the ceremony performed by the University’s President, the Reverend Dietrich Reinhart. Since 1973 Saint John’s has maintained the highly regarded Hill Monastic Manuscript Library (http://www.hmml.org), a vast collection of documents and audiovisuals on the history of Malta and the presence of the Knights on the island. In his speech of thanks, Fra’ Andrew paid tribute to the work of the university in preserving this valuable archive, whose historical material is fundamental to the preservation of the Order of Malta’s legacy. The material also represents an important academic resource for social, religious, and political interests.