His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke today celebrated his first Mass for the Order of Malta in the Order’s San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Rome. He was greeted warmly by the Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing, together with members of the Sovereign Council, the Grand Prior of Rome Fra’ Giacomo della Torre and members of the Grand Priory, who gathered with hospital patients and staff to welcome the cardinal to celebrate his first Mass for the Order.

Cardinal Burke expressed his pleasure at being able to greet so many of the Order family and to see at first hand the Hospital, which specialises in treating patients recovering from a coma – ‘il Repartino’ is well known throughout Italy and there is always a waiting list of patients. ‘The Sovereign Order of Malta has a fine tradition which combines its two missions of ‘tuitio fidei, obsequium pauperum’ (bearing witness to the faith and caring for those in need). Its activities today affect and support people in many countries of the world. Your inspiration, which is the deepest Christian faith, both sustains you and informs your work.’

‘This special Mass was a happy and significant occasion for the Order family and we warmly welcome our new Cardinal Patronus,’ said Fra’ Matthew Festing.