Pictured: Project team members Leonie Harle and David Macintosh with the Our Lady of Philermos Rose.

In 2023 the Our Lady of Philermos Rose project is expected to reach a key milestone. The initiative, which started in 2020, intends to have rose plants for sale by August, with the profits being invested back into the project.

“The primary function of the project is to provide a gift to the needy, and the sale of the roses intends to make the project self-sustaining”, explains Order of Malta member, David Macintosh. “By August we hope to have up to 200 plants for sale at a cost of $50 each. We then expect to have up to 500 plants available in each successive year.”

The Our Lady of Philermos Rose is a new variety registered with the International Cultural Registration Authority. It is a red rose with a mild fragrance, growing on a medium bush with semi-glossy foliage. Its blooms appear in small clusters throughout the season.

Volunteers will distribute roses to patients in palliative care facilities, care homes and hospitals. The charitable act of gifting the rose, and the interaction with volunteers, intends to bring the recipients comfort and joy. However, the project also has spiritual significance. Our Lady’s signature flower is the rose, making the two facets of the project directly align with the mission of the Order of Malta.

Volunteer opportunities will also exist outside of the distribution, with the project team needing assistance to plant, care and cut roses. The Order of Malta has also engaged Calvary Care Canberra ACT and Australian Catholic University campuses across Australia, to provide garden space to grow the roses and is also in discussion with various parishes to provide other sites.

“Our immediate focus is to seek people with expertise, resources and ideas to help take project to the next stage” explains David. “I encourage anyone who is interested in the project to make contact, as I believe that this project has the potential to be successful, not only in Australia, but across the world”.

Email info@orderofmalta.org.au if you would like to get involved in the Rose Project. Donations to the project can be made online and aretax deductible for Australian taxpayers.