The second annual Order of Malta Spiritual Exercises and Retreat was held July 11-13 at our headquarters on the campus of St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. Featuring 26 sessions ranging from Fr. Robert Spitzer’s “Science and the Shroud of Turin” to “The Church in America at the Time of Pope Leo XIV” to “The Secular Nature of the Order of Malta” and “How the Order of Malta Fits into the Catholic Church.”

Over 70 Knights and Dames with spouses and guests spent three days discerning about “Giving Your Life for Christ.” Participants enjoyed opportunities to share meals and form community, including a barbecue chicken dinner outdoors on the lawn Saturday night.

Fra’ Nicolo Custoza de Cattani, Grand Prior of Naples and Sicily flew in from Rome and shared his thoughts on the future of the Order and the new formation program for aspiring Knights of Justice. We also heard about Malteser International’s strategic plan and an interesting presentation about how Malteser assesses risks and fills gaps that government cannot fill.

It was a weekend of formation, friends and fun. Please plan to attend next year. The dates for next year’s 3-day event are June 26-28, 2026, again at St. Patrick’s in Menlo Park.