The Our Lady of Philermos Rose is a most beautiful red rose dedicated to Mary the Queen of all spiritual flowers. Growing on a medium bush with semi-glossy foliage, the blooms appear in small clusters throughout the season and have a mild fragrance. Suitable for garden displays or vases.
Height: 100cm
Fragrance: Mild
Type: Floribunda
Proceeds from the sale of our Lady of Philermos Roses will support the charitable works of the Order of Malta Australia.
Hymn To Our Lady of Philermos – Your Beauty So Bright
Roses have long been considered in classical culture as the most noble of flowers. For Christians they have become a symbol of the beauty, love and purity of the Mother of God and have led to the creation of the Rosary and other devotional prayers. The Order of Malta rose, named after Our Lady of Philermos, embraces this symbolism.
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”.
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, which he provided at no cost.
Today, hundreds of Our Lady of Philermos roses are growing in aged care facilities, parishes, cathedral gardens and homes across Australia.
Our Lady of Philermos Hymn performed by the McCarthy Family Choir and Artes Christi Choir and Orchestra at the Requiem Mass for Christine McCarthy – 7 December 2023 – St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney
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.