The Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Montenegro commemorated the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, Patron Saint of the Order of Malta, with a Holy Mass celebrated at the Don Bosco Centre on 24 June.

The Holy Mass served as a significant moment for Embassy staff to reflect on the Order’s mission, honour its Patron Saint, and reaffirm their commitment to assisting those most in need.

Later that day, the Embassy hosted a reception in honor of the Feast, which was attended by H.E. Mr. Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro. In his keynote address, Minister Ibrahimović reaffirmed the strong ties between Montenegro and the Order of Malta – ties that go beyond mutual state recognition as States and are rooted in shared cultural heritage and values.

In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Narciso Salvo di Pietraganzili highlighted the Embassy’s dedication to upholding the values of assistance to the most fragile and vulnerable. He noted that this commitment was further reinforced during the Official Visit of H.M.E.H. the Prince Grand Master Fra’ John T. Dunlap, marked by the signing of a Protocol Agreement.

This signature, Amb. Salvo di Pietraganzili continued, served to ensure a solid legal foundation to advance the Embassy’s humanitarian projects, including the donation of the CARPEDIEM – a hemodialysis machine for Montenegro’s Children Hospital. 

The reception also offered an important opportunity for dialogue and for strengthening the relationship between the Sovereign Order of Malta and its diplomatic counterparts in Montenegro. Among the distinguished guests were the Ambassadors of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Palestine – Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as representatives from the European Union, UN, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the Council of Europe. Participants included medical doctors from Montenegro central Hospital, high-level entrepreneurs, and media agencies. 

The programme featured performances of the Montenegrin national anthem, Oj, svijetla majska zoro, and the anthem of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Ave Crux Alba, by the Montenegro Festival Orchestra String Quartet. The musical programme continued with works inspired by Montenegrin musical tradition, offering a tribute to the cultural heritage of the host country.

The celebration in Podgorica reaffirmed the enduring mission of the Order and its commitment to friendship and cooperation with the institutions and the people of Montenegro.