The Order dates back to
1534
Pope Paul III reaffirmed the Board
of the Knights of St. Peter ( Papal Bull of 26 February 1534 , published in the Papal Chancellery on 20 December 1535 ) with
the same forms , methods and content produced by Pope Leo X. He did , however, most , wanted to not duplicate such an order
creating another mirror under the name of the College of the Knights of St. Paul, by a Bull of 25 June 1540 , which saw the
publication in the Papal Chancellery July 19, 1541 .
This new Board
was composed of 200 Knights. It was confirmed by Pope Julius III on March 21, 1549. .... read more RE START THE ORDER
SUNDAY
6 JULY, 1997
FEAST IN HONOUR OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
HELD AT ST. BERNADETTE'S
CHURCH
WESTMORELAND ROAD, NORTH SUNSHINE
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
The first ceremonial investiture took place on Sunday, 6 July, 1997, during a Mass in honour of
the Apostles Peter and Paul.
The mass commenced at 2.00 p.m. It was a High Mass, Solemnity
of the two apostles SS Peter and Paul. After the panegyric, Peter Paul Portelli, Founder and head of the Order
read a message from the Hon. Jeff Kennett, Premier of Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government and a message from the
Most Rev. Mgr. Sam Muscat, Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul of Nadur in Gozo, Malta.
Mr. Portelli then presented the first members and made a testimonial about
the aims and objectives of the new Order. Mr. Portelli said that there was a need to recognize the tireless voluntary work
that many people do in the community, dedicating many long hours, day after day.
Mr. Portelli said ‘Today we are honouring two great Christian leaders followers of Christ,
St. Peter and Paul, so it is appropriate that we are recognizing these living community leaders here today. These living leaders
will today take a vow that they will continue to serve God and His people and to imitate St. Peter and
Paul in their Christian values.
The first members
that took the vow were Mr. Ernest Sigley, Mr. Bruno Rabensteiner, Mr. Jairo Nascimento, Mr. Mato Verkic, Mr. Andreas Kratsis,
Mrs. Lillian Calleja, Mr. Charles Camilleri, Rev. Fr. Karm Borg MSSP, Mr. Joseph Vella, Mr. Eddy Marcel Abraham and Mrs. Remy
Sarmiento.
Fr. John Taliana MSSP. Parish Priest
of St. Bernadette read the vow and the candidates repeated after him. Fr. John Taliana blessed the first members with the Holy
Water. The Head of the Order Mr. Peter Paul Portelli placed the medal on the members while the Mayor of the City of Brimbank,
Cr. Ciro Lombardi placed the mantle on the shoulder of the members.
The congregation gave them an applause as a sign of admiration.
This was a very exciting moment to the new members. After the Mass the members took part in the procession led by
the statue of St. Peter and St. Paul, accompanied by the Maltese Own Band, representatives of the Maltese Associations with
their banners.
After the procession the members were invited for refreshments in the church
hall.
