Valletta, 19 june 2026

On the occasion of his visit to Malta, H.E. Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau, Grand Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, was received by Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, at San Anton Palace for a courtesy meeting.

The Grand Commander was accompanied by H.E. Fra’ Francis Vassallo, Receiver of the Common Treasure of the Sovereign Order of Malta, H.E. Ambassador Augusto Ruffo di Calabria and Comm. Dr Michael Grech, President of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta.

Discussions focused on the strong and historic ties between Malta and the Sovereign Order, as well as the special bond that continues to unite them. The conversation also turned to the current situation in the Middle East and other regions, underlining the importance of humanitarian efforts in support of those most in need.

The visit was followed by the launch, at San Anton Palace, of the publication “Sixty Years of Service – The Maltese Association of the Order of Malta 1965–2025”, written and researched by Dr Noel Buttigieg Scicluna.

Spanning sixty years of history, the volume traces the story of the Maltese Association from its foundation by decree of Grand Master Fra’ Angelo de Mojana on 2 September 1965, through six transformative decades of charitable and humanitarian service. Across its chapters, the work follows the interplay between Faith, service, diplomacy and public life: from the establishment of the Order’s diplomatic relations with Malta and the opening of its Embassy, to the State Visits of successive Grand Masters, the pilgrimages to Lourdes, the work of the Blood Bank, and the Association’s many charitable endeavours. Drawing on extensive archival research, private collections and historical photography, the book offers the portrait of a community sustained by the Order’s enduring charism — the defence of the Faith and service to the poor and the sick.