Sacred Vestments

The various Grand Masters of the Order of St John donated several sets of liturgical vestments to their conventual church to be used for important ceremonial occasions.

The inventories of the Order record thirteen such gifts which are made out of silk and satin and profusely embroidered with multicoloured silk yarns, often using gold and silver threads.

The colour of the vestments was chosen carefully according to the liturgical calendar to add symbolic meaning to the liturgy.

Of particular interest is the set donated by Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner. The vestments are richly embroidered with floral motifs, many of which carry a symbolic meaning.