The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, known as the “Order of Malta Lebanon”, celebrated its National Day and the Feast of its Patron, Saint John the Baptist with a Holy Mass presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Francis, following the invitation of the President of the Lebanese Association Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, with the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon, H.E. Mrs. Maria Emerica Cortese.
Participating in the mass were Vice Speaker Elias Bou Saab representing House Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari representing Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and a number of current and former ministers, their Excellencies former Presidents Amin Gemayel and Michel Suleiman, Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, representatives of heads of the security forces, the patriarchs of the Christian communities, a number of current and former deputies alongside representatives of the diplomatic corps.
After the Mass, His Eminence Cardinal Parolin addressed with a final message, saying “let us remain united in prayer, in service to the most deprived, through our Christian life”.
President Sehnaoui also commented of the Cardinal presence, commenting the importance of the visit and saying: “The Order of Malta Lebanon serves the poor, the sick, the differently abled, the elderly, but above all, it serves Lebanon”
After the Mass, the reception was attended by Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Khatib representing the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, accompanied by Sheikh Dr. Imad Kanawati, the Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council was represented by Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Shoukair, and Sheikh Sami Abdel Khalek, representing the Sheikh Akl of the Unitarian Druze Community accompanied by Sheikh Hassan Halawi and Mr. Samir Halawi, also Messrs. Louay and Qusay Sharaf al-Din representing the Imam Sadr Foundation.
The beautiful NDU choir, led by RF Khalil Rahme, offered an unforgettable moment of elevation and hope.
