SEPTEMBER 8th. NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, THE 'VICTORY MASS'

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

SEPTEMBER 8th. NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, THE 'VICTORY MASS'

The Icon of Our Lady of Philermo, as she would have appeared
annually on this day in Malta, wearing the festal 'dress' given by
Grand Master Villiers de l'Isle-Adam (16th to 18th centuries)

Wednesday 8th September is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the day upon which the Order of Malta particularly honours the Mother of God under the title of Our Lady of Philermo.

It is also the Anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Malta in 1565, the victory over the Ottoman forces attributed to Our Lady's gracious intercession.

The Annual Victory Mass will be celebrated in the Conventual Church at 6.30pm, followed by a Reception in Fortescue House, to which all are welcome.

The choir Cantores Missae will sing Missa 'Ave Maris Stella' by Victoria, and motets 'Ego flos campi' by Alonso Lobo and 'O sacrum convivium' by Giovanni Croce. The Salve Regina will be to a setting by Schubert.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN