THE ORDER of Malta Philippines headed by Ernest Rufino led the delegation to Lourdes, France, where 5,000 members from all over the world were gathered. This would be the 51st year of Malta in Lourdes. Here, people experience the healing of both body and soul.

The Philippine group was composed of Josie Rufino, Ambassador Nida Vera, Cherrie Pie Lazatin and Ody Arroyo – all dames of the order. Monsignor Esteban Lo, magistral chaplain, was with them.

Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta is headed by the Prince and grand master, Fra Matthew Festing. He was also in Lourdes, with the sovereign council.

The order was established in 1066 by Blessed Fra Gerard, an Italian monk, to take care of the sick pilgrims visiting the Holy Land and the wounded crusaders at war with the Ottoman Empire. It has emerged as a religious order based in Rome and an independent sovereignty.

With diplomatic relations with 130 countries and a permanent representative to the UN, the order is committed to the defense of the faith and service to the poor.

Philippine association

The Philippine Association of the Order of Malta was founded in 1957. Its first major project was the Tala Leprosarium in Caloocan. Today, it gives medical assistance to 65 free clinics and health centers, 30 hospitals with charity wards and 80 religious organizations and charitable foundations. It runs the St. Ubaldesca program for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Aids.

The association needs support. All donations are tax-deductible. Please send to the Philippine Hospitaller Foundation of the Order of Malta c/o the Pius XII Catholic Center, United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila. Call 536-4795/525-5302.

St. John the Baptist

The patron saint of the Order of Malta is St. John the Baptist. The Philippine Association held diplomatic cocktails on June 24, his feast day, at the Manila Polo Club. The ambassador of the order to the Philippines is Nida Vera.

Here I met Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Francisco Ortigas, who told me that Msgr. Diego Monroy of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico will visit the Philippines in October. Present during the diplomatic cocktails was Ambassador-designate to the Vatican, Mercy Tuason, who intends to bring 20 images of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace and 100 small ones for the overseas Filipino workers living and working in Italy.

Happy birthday, Tita Helen

Former senator Helena Z. Benitez has been called “Tita Helen” by family, friends and students of Philippine Women’s University (PWU), of which she is board chairman.

Tita Helen turned 95 last June 27, feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. A thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by Fr. Paul Marquez, SSP, at Mira-Nila, the Benitez ancestral house in Quezon City, and reception was attended by family, friends and PWU faculty.

Testimonials

Two days before her birthday, the Doctor of Education (Ed. D) Alumni Chapter headed by Dr. Lulu Trias gave her a pre-natal testimonial and musical program at PWU’s Conrado Benitez Hall. In collaboration with the Philippine Home Economics Foundation, the affair began with a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Fr. Jerry Orbos with Fr. Artemio Fabros, PWU chaplain, as co-celebrant.

Giving testimonials were: former First Lady Imelda Marcos (arts and culture); Environment Secretary Lito Atienza (environment habitat); Ambassador Rosario Manalo (international diplomatic service); Attorney Charito Planas (community service and women’s causes); Dr. Vivian Talisayon (education); Amelia Zorayda Alonzo (legislation and government service); and Dr. Manuel Alba (representing PWU board of trustees).

New deacons

Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, ordained eight theologians to the diaconate last June 27 at San Isidro Parish in San Isidro, Abra. For the first time, the ordination included a diocesan theologian to be ordained with the SVDs in the person of Reverend John Vasquez from Abra. The other ordained deacons were Rev. Abraham Borja (Abra); Rev. Ferdinand Bajao (Bohol); Rev. Dante Barril (Bohol); Rev. Severo Biton Jr. (Basilan); Rev. Crisostomo Salar (Surigao); Rev. Benedicto Awitin (Digos); and Rev. Michael Namba (Papua, New Guinea).