On 22 June 2026, a Holy Mass celebrating the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the spiritual patron of the Sovereign Order of Malta, was held in the Chapel of Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bucharest. The event brought together ten members of the Order in Romania, alongside clergy and invited guests, in a moment of spiritual communion and reflection on the mission of the Order.
The Holy Mass was co-celebrated by His Excellency Monsignor Giampiero Gloder, Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and His Excellency Ioan Robu, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus and member of the Order, who delivered the homily, interpreting the readings and the Gospel in light of the mission and activities of the Order in Romania.
In his address, the Apostolic Nuncio emphasised the distinctive identity of the Sovereign Order of Malta as a lay religious order under the protection of the Holy See for nearly one thousand years. He highlighted two essential dimensions inspired by the figure of Saint John the Baptist: the witness of faith and service to the most vulnerable. He recalled the importance of maintaining a deep connection with Christ and the values of the Gospel, which give meaning and authenticity to the charitable activities of the Order.
The Nuncio also underscored the constant call to support those who are marginalised and to provide concrete assistance where the need is greatest, noting that the witness of faith is most convincingly expressed through actions. On behalf of the Holy See, His Excellency conveyed appreciation for the work carried out by the Order in Romania and internationally, as well as the blessing of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Also in attendance were Monsignor Luca Caveada, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, and Father Remus Tegzeșiu, of the Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla.
The full address of the Apostolic Nuncio is available below:
,,Your Excellency, Mr Ambassador, Reverend Fathers, distinguished Guests, dear Knights and Dames,
I am pleased to share with you this moment of Eucharistic Celebration, because your ‘Sovereign Order’ is truly unique within the Church, having been linked to the Holy See for centuries. Indeed, it is defined in its Statutes as a ‘lay religious order’, recognized more than nine centuries ago by Pope Paschal II, on 15 February 1113, through the Bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, granted to your founder, Blessed Gerard Sasso, a document which established the nature of your Order, as well as the support and protection of the Holy See.
I would like to draw a connection between the figure of your spiritual Patron, Saint John the Baptist, and two fundamental elements that characterize your ‘Sovereign Order’:
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Saint John the Baptist is a ‘witness’, or, as today’s First Reading says, ‘a sharp arrow’ (Is 49:2), who does not refer to himself, but to Another. As you may recall, as the Evangelist Luke recounts, during the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who bore Jesus in her womb, to her relative Elizabeth, who bore Saint John the Baptist, the latter ‘leaped for joy’ (Lk 1:44). Saint Augustine notes: ‘Before he was born, John leaped in his mother’s womb at Mary’s arrival. Even before his birth, he had already received his calling. It is already shown whose forerunner he will be, even before he has seen Him’ (Sermons, 293, 2: PL 38, 1327); and indeed, his entire life would be dedicated to pointing to Christ.
I therefore reflect on the importance for your ‘Sovereign Order’ to preserve and nourish its spiritual dimension, its reference to Christ and to His Gospel, which constitutes a distinctive element compared to other associations that carry out services similar to yours: living the experience of faith, in a profound relationship with the Lord, shapes the style of your valuable activity in Romania and in many other countries.
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Saint John the Baptist is also a ‘servant’ of those most in need. At the River Jordan, our saint administers a baptism of repentance, welcoming people from all social backgrounds, marked by poverty—above all interior and human poverty—who needed to be recognized, understood, and healed (cf. Mt 3:5–12).
I believe it is an important dimension for your ‘Sovereign Order’ to give particular attention to those who are ‘marginalized’ by society, knowing how to read the reality in which you live and offering your service where it is most needed and to those who need it most. Concrete service is a path through which you can bear convincing witness to the Good News of the Gospel, more through deeds than through words.
On behalf of the Apostolic See, I thank you for all that you do, often in silence, both in Romania and in other parts of the world, and I bring you the encouragement and blessing-filled greeting of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV.”
