2015 Investiture Weekend

On September 12th, 2015, the Federal Association welcomed 59 new Knights and Dames at the Investiture Mass and Ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C.  At the Mass, 3 Magistral Chaplains were invested, as well as 1 Associate Chaplain and 1 Associate Deacon Chaplain. Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, CT and Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, who were also named Conventual Chaplains ad honorem of the Federal Association this year, were unable to attend. Nearly 500 people attended the Mass, which was celebrated by the Principal Chaplain of the Federal Association, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington and Bailiff Grand Cross Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of the Federal Association. Also in attendance was Bishop Barry Knestout, auxiliary bishop of Washington, as well as representatives of the Sovereign Council, the Venerable Order of St. John, the Johanniter Order, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. A particular highlight of the Investiture Weekend was the Defense of the Faith Forum on the Order's work for persecuted Christians and refugees in the Middle with Ambassador Justin Simpson and Michele Bowe, DM. At the Annual Dinner, held at the United States Chamber of Commerce, new members had the opportunity to be introduced to Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., Bishop Knestout, and D. Geoffrey Gamble of the Sovereign Council. 

More stories on this year's event will be published in the October issue of Order of Malta Moment. In the meantime, please visit our our photo gallery highlighting the important events from the weekend.