Information Session – 16 March 2024
Order of Malta. Singapore Information Session on 16 March 2024
“Our Lords, the sick and needy…”
As part of a continuing work to foster a more informed and connected Catholic community to the works of the Order of Malta in Singapore, interested parties gathered on a Saturday afternoon for an enriching information session at the Church of St Ignatius on King’s Road. The event aimed to provide an overview of the history as well as the spirituality, charism and works which are the pillars of the order. Seasoned members welcomed the curious with all looking to learn more and to find out about how they can help contribute to the good works being done.
The session was led by Dame Rose Lu, the incumbent President of the Singapore Association of the Order of Malta, who started with a warm welcome. The session covered a diverse range of topics ranging from the beginnings of the Order and that of the Singapore Association, to the importance of the eight beatitudes which are a guide for members of the Order in living their vocation.
Dame Rose Lu 
Nicole Angelina
Updates on the ongoing projects by the Singapore Association were given by Knight Ian de Vaz who holds the position of Hospitaller for the Singapore Association. Of particular note, is the current 2024 Project – “The Lourdes Experience”, where the Singapore Association will organise a processional of a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception around the Singapore Indoor Stadium and replicate the familiar spiritual activities and devotions typically held in Lourdes for an expected 10,000 local pilgrims and malades, who have been unable to make a visit to Lourdes themselves.
Making Lourdes, a byword for hope, accessible to those without the means to go, is a fine example of how the Singapore Association of the Order of Malta is making a difference to those faithful in need. The Lourdes Experience will be held on Saturday 7th December at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“I find it incredibly inspiring to have more than thousands of us internationally working towards a shared goal of protecting the Catholic faith and serving the poor, the needy, the sick….” The session followed with a touching personal testimony from Nicole, a companion of the order, of her experiences since volunteering for the Order of Malta. She has been involved in multiple projects such as the first ever Asia-Pacific Summer Camp for Youths with Disabilities, supporting Order of Malta organised pilgrimages to Lourdes and the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference for the Order of Malta.
As the event drew to a close, there was a far better understanding by all of the history, the work and the raison d’etre of the Order of Malta.
The underlying message throughout the session was clear. The Order of Malta stands and promotes for active involvement and dedication to the easing of suffering by bringing the balm of Christian charity to the sick, the poor and the needy. Those who are often forgotten about in society. In keeping with this, the Singapore Association of the Order of Malta Singapore is a dedicated community of servants committed to serving and transforming the lives of the poor and sick. Our Lords are indeed the sick and needy.
Damien Lee
Source and credits: Article by Damien Lee with photographs by the SMOM SG community.
