Grand Master to receive Vittoriosa honour

The Honorary Citizenship of Birgu (Vittoriosa) is being conferred on the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra Andrew Bertie, on Sunday.

President Guido de Marco is among the distinguished guests attending the event at Couvre Port.

The event will be followed by Mass at St Lawrence Collegiate Church and a unique exhibition, "Memories of the Order conserved in Birgu", at Auberge de France in Vittoriosa. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Fra Bertie.

Open until May 11, it includes objets d'art brought from Rhodes by the Knights when they settled in Vittoriosa in 1530.

Among the rare exhibits are a silver processional cross of late Gothic craftsmanship, an early 16th century chalice of exceptionally delicate work and a set of liturgical vestments, with embroidered scenes from the life of the Virgin.

The exhibition has been organised on the initiative of Fra John Critien, the Resident Knight at Fort St Angelo, and Vittoriosa council in collaboration with the Collegiate Chapter of St Lawrence and Heritage Malta.