Investiture Weekend

The Order of Malta invested 49 Knights and Dames into the Federal Association on Saturday, October 18th. The new members of the Order hail from 14 states and the District of Columbia. The annual Investiture ceremony was held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC and presided over by His Excellency Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore.

In his homily, the Archbishop called attention to the fact that the Investiture was taking place on the Feast Day of Saint Luke. The Archbishop reflected on St. Luke’s background as a physician and his clear emphasis on the healing power of God’s mercy.  “I naturally thought of the Order of Malta’s love and reverence for the poor and the sick. I thought especially of the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes and the love and care which members of the Order offer to the malades.” The Archbishop mentioned that, “In this and in so many other ways, the Order reinforces in us the lesson that the poor and the sick are not burdens but rather they are our lords and ladies. It is a privilege to serve them for in them we see the face of Christ and in them we discover the truth and beauty of God’s tender love.”

Dr. Margaret Melady, the Federal Association President added, “We welcome these new members, who are both leaders and followers in the service of others, exercising charity to their neighbors, especially the sick and the poor, as is our mission. We are proud and honored to have such capable people be called to join us.”