The Our Lady of Philermos Rose project is a new initiative that directly aligns with the mission of the Order of Malta. It has both spiritual significance and offers hands-on engagement with our Lords poor and sick.
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.
Volunteer opportunities will also exist outside of the distribution, with volunteers planting, caring and cutting roses. The Order of Malta Australia has engaged Calvary Care Canberra ACT and Australian Catholic University campuses across Australia and various parishes to provide garden space to grow the roses.
Hymn To Our Lady of Philermos – Your Beauty So Bright
To complement the Spirituality and Works of the Rose Project a Hymn was written by David Macintosh with an imprimatur and music composed by Christine McCarthy, mother of our Order’s Chaplain Father James McCarthy. The hymn is has been recorded in a music and sound studio by Anjarat Suthat Na Ayuthya, a member in Thailand
Download the Lyrics to ‘Your Beauty So Bright’
Inspiration for the Rose Project
In late 2020 after a Vigil Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral a group of Candidates gathered to discuss their upcoming year of formation. Then Candidate, now Confrère David Macintosh suggested that a rose would be an appropriate joint gift to the Order of Malta. Senior members provided encouragement and the project commenced with wonderful support by all.
The spiritual aspect of the rose was emphasised by Consoeur Leonie Harle and Confrère Joe Mastrangelo. The Blessed Virgin Mary according to Cardinal Newman is called Rosa Mystica, The Mystical Rose, because “she is the Queen of spiritual flowers; and therefore, she is called the Rose. For the rose is fitly called of all flowers the most beautiful”.
Saint Mary MacKillop has a pink rose. St John Paul II has a white rose. It was decided fitting to create a rose, the colour red of the Order of Malta. In early 2021, Leonie contacted rose breeder, Richard Walsh, who was asked to provide a dedicated red rose called “Our Lady of Philermos” with a mild fragrance. Richard kindly provided this at no cost and our rose is now a reality with 160 rose bushes available for distribution to aged care facilities and Church Parishes. A small supply will also be available to members of the Order of Malta in Australia in July 2023.
The Australian Association
The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.