Welcoming new Serving Sisters and Brothers.

The Prince Grand Master, His Imperial Royal Highness, Prince Sandor Habsburg-Lothringen and the Royal Royal Protector, Her Imperial Royal Highness, Princess Herta Margarete Habsburg-Lothringen hosted the gathering and welcoming ceremony for new Serving Sisters and Brothers in Hofburg, the Royal castle in Vienna. The scene for this gathering was the famous and fabulous hall, made for the Austrian Emperor as he ennobled and gave awards to distinguished persons. We shared this event with the Flame of Peace Gala Dinner and many distinguished guests from all over the world.

Knights and Dames, Serving Sisters and Brothers gathered from many of our Grand Priories to participate in the welcoming ceremony for new Serving Sisters and Brothers and in the evening participate in the huge and fantastic Flame of Peace Charity Bal among many hundred distinguished international guests. One of them was prince Albert of Monaco, who was awarded for his efforts for world peace and efforts for the environment.

Firstly our hosts, Royal Protector, HIRH Princess Herta Margarete and Prince Grand Master, HIRH Prince Sandor  warmly welcomed all guest from almost all over the world. The welcoming was then followed of a very nice and warm mass led by the Bishop of Vienna and translated into English by our Prince Grand Master and followed by the Cardinal XX, who joined us the whole day.

After the common mass and speeches many of the guest from Flame of Pease were awarded for their efforts and devotion for world peace and environment. A group of Chinese teenager performed with song and dance on the stage.

Our Brother, Chev. Antonio Castellano, OSJ from Bologna, Italy was awarded the Prince Grand Masters honourable award for important efforts for our Order in Italy. Brother Antonio’s smile still shines as equal as his awarded medal and he were applauded for a long time. Well done Brother Antonio! I guess his diploma will find a very nice place in his home. I know he will inspire many more Brothers and Sisters to continue the good work with both establishment and operation locally.

After Brother Antonio’s award, it was now time for our new 22 members from Italy, 2 members from Ukraine and 1 member from Sweden to enter the stage. With some portion nervousness and pride they all gathered infront of the audience. They were all warmly welcomed and they all got the certificates stating the appointment as Serving Sister or Serving Brother of our Order from our Prince Grand Master and Royal Protector.

They are all our future in the Order and we have high hopes on what they can contribute with in Italy and international.

After applause and mandatory photos it was time for the Information Officer and Chancellor from Grand Priory Sweden, Chev. Mikael Hagansbo, COSJ to enter the stage and hand over the new Regulations Manual (Draft no.1) to the Prince Grand Master (no 1) and Aid de Camp, HE Chev. Malcolm Hitchman, BGCSJ (no 4). This Manual covers all documents and regulations regarding our

Order. You can also find your Statues and By-Laws and Regulations in the new Regulations Manual, but you can also find a summery of our history, Establishment Manual and Communications strategy etc.  Every Grand Prior and Senior Officer in a management position in the Order will have his own numbered and signed copy next year after the after the approval of the Supreme Council.

It was now time for our Historian General, Chev Antoine Bonello, GCSJ to finally enter the stage. Brother Antoine have spend hundreds of hours collecting original documents regarding our history since we were welcomed to Russia 1797.

The very first and legitimate book, all covered with red leather and gold letters and cross was handed over to the Prince Grand Master by Brother Antoine.

We now have all legal document gathered in one book regarding our legitimacy as a true Order of Saint John. This beautiful book will be printed in more copies so each Grand Priory can hav its own and Brothers and Sisters can purchase it too.

A true masterpiece dear Brother Antoine!! This also states our legitimacy

The Gathering was ended and there was time for interaction between friends and have interesting conversations and reflections. To ease up the communication skills there were snacks and wine for the guests. The New Serving Sisters and Brothers were truly welcomed by us all.

If I are allowed to have my own reflection and hope in this, it would be that we need 25 new – and the right kind of – Serving Sisters and Brothers every month and not once in a year.

It was now time to prepare for the huge Gala Dinner in Hofburg. You can read about that in “The international gathering in Vienna the 12th of October (part two)”.