I bring you warm and fraternal greetings from the Supreme Council.
This year, as the dawn of the day breaks to usher in Founders Day, the Grand Lady and the Supreme Knight will for the first time be joining our brothers and sisters in Liberia to celebrate the occasion. We hope that this will strengthen the fraternal ties with our fellow Marshallans in this part of the West African sub-region.
As we recall this day which has been instituted by the Noble Order to pay homage and honour the memory of our founding fathers, let us remember the objectives which guided these gallant men to form the society in 1926. Realizing the role catholic lay men and women could play in the church, the Noble Order was founded with the aim of bringing young Catholics together for effective lay apostolate and catholic action, and also to provide a friendly social forum for Catholics who may otherwise be attracted to non-Catholic friendly societies.
My brothers and sisters, as we commemorate this day, I urge you as Marshallans to endeavour to regulate your lives and conducts, that it may bring credit upon yourselves and the Noble Order. We continue to be proud of the membership of this honourable society, therefore I implore you to observe a high standard of public morality, dignity, honour and self-discipline in your various fields of endeavours. Let your lives so shine before the world that the world may see the beauty of the Noble Order and the Holy Mother the Catholic Church.
My dear brothers and sisters, we are called to holiness as our Heavenly father is holy, and with the spirit of God dwelling in us, it is my prayer that you will exhibit unblemished character by living above reproach as far as religious and cultural intolerance, economic greed, and sexual immorality are concerned.
Furthermore as loyal members of the Noble Order, I urge you at all times to abide by the oath of your membership and commit yourself absolutely to be a loyal, faithful and true member of the Marshallan Fraternity.
As a Marshallan called to be brave, fearless and bold, I urge you never to compromise your conscience in any way but to display the discretion and dignity worthy of a true knight or lady of the Noble Order.
I appeal to you to dispose yourself to receive the divine graces which will be available during the year of faith recently declared by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XI. It is my prayer that whilst you try to deepen your faith in God you will also have faith in your selves and in the power of your own personal convictions.
My brothers and sisters Ghana will soon be holding national elections. As Marshallans be reminded of the love, unity and fraternity which must exist between us all. Therefore I entreat you to amicably settle differences between each other. I urge you us Marhallans to continue to be agents of peace to ensure the unity, and stability of the country.
Let us pray that the face of God will shine on the good people of Ghana during this election season.
Finally, as we celebrate this important feast day, we lift our hearts to the indomitable spirit of the Founders of the Noble Order; a spirit that drove the vision and sacrifice of our forefathers to found this organization. On this day, as Marshallans we should remember that by virtue of the Noble Order we enjoy the privilege of a rich Christian life – one filled with unity, love, charity and service.
Long Live the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall.
Long Live the Holy Mother the Catholic Church.
God Bless us all.
Sir Kt. Derx Baffour
(Supreme Knight)