Former Central Bank Governor Francis J Vassallo has become a professed Knight of the Order of St John.

The profession of temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience took place in the oratory of St John's co-Cathedral. It was the first to take place at St John's since the departure of the knights in 1798, the Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta said.

Mr Vassallo professed his First Temporary Vows in the hands of the Order’s Grand Commander, Bailiff Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein, who was in Malta to represent Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing at the ceremony.

The President of the Maltese Association, Marchesino Daniel de Petri Testaferrata and Dr Stephen Vassallo acted as First and Second witness respectively.

The ceremony was held in the presence of  Bailiff Fra’ John E. Critien and Fra’ Duncan Gallie, both of whom are members of the Order’s Sovereign Council, and in the company of many members of the Order, family and friends.

Fra’ Francis was widowed in 2013, having been married to Erminia (Mimici) nee Miceli Farrugia. They had three children, Alexia, Adriana and Steffan, and eight grandchildren.

Ater he became widowed he accepted the vocation to dedicate himself more fully to the Order, which he had joined as a Knight of Magistral Grace 15 years ago. He started his novitiate last year, which he has now successfully completed. He shall repeat his temporary vows for at least three consecutive years, at the end of which he shall be eligible to take his final permanent vows, the association said.

The main celebrant for Holy Mass was The Very Rev. Mgr Lawrence Gatt, Principal Chaplain of the Maltese Association of Malta, assisted by a number of the Order’s chaplains. Holy Mass was offered for the repose of the souls of Fra’ Francis’ late wife and his late parents.