Matthew Festing — Grand Master | Order of Malta in South Africa

Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing speaking in ceremonial uniform

Brief Biography

Fra’ Matthew Festing became a member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard on 9 July 2002, before his election as Grand Master in 2008.

Sources: Order of Malta: The Grand Masters; Wikipedia: Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller. Further reading.

Close-up of Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing speaking

Life and service to the Order

On 13 April 2014, the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard honoured him with Honorary Dedicated Membership. During his tenure he visited the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard in Mandeni, South Africa, in April 2014. He resigned as Grand Master in 2017.

The Order’s modern leaders have directed its religious life and international medical, social and humanitarian work. Their service connects its long history with present-day institutions.

Historical context: Order of Malta, The Grand Masters; History of the Order.

Further images from the archive

Fra’ Matthew Festing wearing the cape and insignia of a Dedicated Member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard beside the relic of Blessed Gérard — Wearing the cape and insignia shared by the Dedicated Members and Honorary Dedicated Members of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard, beside the relic of Blessed Gérard in the chapel of the Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Rome. This portrait was taken later at Father Gérard’s request because the Brotherhood had no suitable photograph of him wearing its cape.

Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing greeting Pope Francis while wearing the 20th anniversary medal of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard — Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing with Pope Francis in 2016. He is wearing the 20th anniversary medal of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.

Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing greeting Father Gérard T. Lagleder

Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing with members of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard in Mandeni

Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing at a ceremony in Mandeni