The Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Josef D. Blotz, carried out a mission in Hungary and Croatia in recent days to visit the Order’s projects supporting Roma communities. The visit was organized by Franz Altgraf zu Salm-Reifferscheid, Ambassador “at large” of the Sovereign Order of Malta for Roma People since 2013, who for more than a decade has coordinated Roma centers in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Albania and Austria with the support of numerous benefactors. The impressive Roma project represents the highlight of Franz Salm’s life in the Order, to which he has belonged for over 50 years as Knight of Honor and Devotion Grand Cross.
In Hungary, the Grand Hospitaller was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Hungary, Heinz Hafner, the President of the Hungarian Association, Kristof Szabadhegy, his Hospitaller Lorant Eröss, and the President of the Hungarian Relief Service, Peter Szabadhegy. The delegation, which also included key donors and supporters, visited the Menö Jövö Ház (“Good House for the Future”) center in Pécs. Established ten years ago to host 25 children, it has since grown into a highly successful project, now assisting around 1,000 children across 22 villages in the region.
In Croatia, the delegation was welcomed by Georg Graf von und zu Eltz, responsible for the Roma project there since 2020. Together with the Bishop of Varaždin, Bože Radoš, they visited the children’s center Sveti Ivan Krstitelj (Saint John the Baptist) in Gornje Vratno.
Both the visits left a lasting impression of bright and hopeful children who, despite coming from extremely difficult backgrounds, now have the chance to receive an education and look to the future with greater opportunities thanks to the practical support and spiritual presence of the Order of Malta. Addressing the crowd, the Grand Hospitaller said: “I am speechless at what has been created and built here. What has been built touches the heart. Something has been created out of nothing, and everyone can be proud of this joint work.” In his speech to the children and young people, the Grand Hospitaller referred to life as a unique pilgrimage, following guiding signs. “On this journey, there are two signs – the cross and the cross of the Order of Malta. When people follow these signs, they will never be lost. We as the Order of Malta will always accompany you on this path.” He also expressed his gratitude to the bishops and members of the Order for their dedication and support.
