Knights of Malta - Sovereign Order of Malta Sovereign Order of Malta English | Italiano | Français | Deutsch | Español Sovereign Order of Malta EnglishItalianoFrançaisDeutschEspañol Order of Malta Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta The Order of Malta Mission Upholding human dignity and caring for people in need The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation. Members & Structure Knights of Malta National Institutions FAQ Sources of law Constitutional Charter and Code Spirituality Spiritual commitment Prelate Pilgrimages Our Lady of Philermos Nuns of the Order Saints and Blessed Government Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra’ John T. Dunlap According to the Constitution, as the religious Superior and Sovereign, he must fully dedicate himself to the development of the works of the Order and to set an example of living by Christian principles, to all the members of the Order. Governance Sovereign Council Government Bodies Flags & Emblems Anthem Order Pro Merito Melitensi Seats of the Order of Malta Magistral Palace Magistral Villa Magistral Archives and Library Stamps & Coins Humanitarian & Medical Works Hospitaller mission Humanitarian, medical & social assistance The Order of Malta is permanently present with medical, social and humanitarian projects in most countries in the world. Aid for refugees Disaster relief & prevention Diseases & epidemics Medical facilities Social assistance Malteser International Volunteers The Global Fund for Forgotten People Bethlehem’s Hospital Youth for Lebanon Diplomatic Activities Humanitarian Diplomacy Linking diplomacy with aid The diplomatic relations which the Sovereign Order of Malta enjoys exist to facilitate its humanitarian activities. Bilateral relations Multilateral relations Ambassadors at large News News 2022 Fra’ John Dunlap writes to Pope Francis for World Peace Day Latest interventions Diplomatic Activities Lieutenant of the Grand Master News News archive Photo & Video galleries Press & Publications Latest Publication Order of Malta Activity Report 2021 Order of Malta Publications In the news Press releases Newsletter Mimic Orders History 1048 to the present day Over 900 years of history The birth of the Order of St. John dates back to around 1048. The Grand Masters Ancient Langues of the Order Names of the Order The eight-pointed cross 1113 Papal Recognition 1113 – The Bull ‘Pie Postulatio Voluntatis’ Orders of St John Contacts MENU About the Order of Malta Mission Members & Structure Knights of Malta National Institutions FAQ Sources of law Constitution and Code Spirituality Spiritual Commitment Prelate Government Lieutenant of Grand Master Governance Sovereign Council Government bodies Flags & Emblems Anthem Seats of the Order of Malta Magistral Palace Magistral Villa Humanitarian & Medical Works Hospitaller Mission Aid for Refugees Disaster Relief & Prevention Diseases & Epidemics Medical Facilities Social Assistance Malteser International Volunteers The Global Fund for Forgotten People Bethlehem’s Hospital Diplomatic Activities Humanitarian diplomacy Bilateral relations Multilateral relations Ambassadors at Large News All news Latest interventions Lieutenant of the Grand Master News Diplomatic Activities Photo and video gallery Press & Publications Order of Malta publications In the News Press releases Newsletter History 1048 to the present day The Grand Masters The Ancient Languages of the Order Names of the Order The eight-pointed cross 1113 Papal Recognition 1113 – The Bull ‘Pie Postulatio Voluntatis’ Orders of St John Clarification Mimic Orders Contacts Fra’ John Dunlap writes to Pope Francis for World Peace Day Message of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master to the Holy Father on the passing of His Holiness Benedict XVI Benedict XVI return to the Father’s House Fra’ Carlo d’Ippolito di Sant’Ippolito, Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice, dies 2022 Christmas Message – Fra’ John Dunlap, Lieutenant of the Grand Master Lithuania celebrates 30 years of diplomatic relations with the Order of Malta Grand Hospitaller visits Order of Malta’s activities in Germany Fra’ Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein dies in Innsbruck Funeral of the Grand Prior of Rome, Fra’ John Edward Critien, in St. Mary on the Aventine The Lieutenant of the Grand Master meets Albanian President Bajram Begaj Home > About the Order of Malta > Knights of Malta Facebook Twitter Google+ e-mail Knights of Malta Knights of Malta In the 11th century the Knights of Malta, known then as ‘Knights Hospitaller’, established a hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or origin. The work of the hospitallers grew in fame and in 1113 Pope Paschal II officially recognised the monastic community as a lay religious order. The Pope identified the Hospitaller Gerard as the Order’s founder, together with an established group of monks – the ‘Professed’ – who are still at the heart of the Order of Malta today. Throughout the centuries the number of members coming from all over Europe continued to grow and contributed to the strengthening of the Order during its presence in Rhodes (1310-1522) and in Malta (1530-1798). While members of the Order of Malta in former times traditionally belonged to the aristocracy, the emphasis today is on a nobility of spirit and conduct. The 13,500 Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta remain true to its inspiring principles, summarised in the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” – nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick – which become reality through humanitarian projects and social assistance in 120 countries. Members must demonstrate dedication to these principles and are admitted country-by-country through Priories and national Associations. The three Classes According to the Constitution, the members of the Order of Malta are divided into three Classes. The members are to conduct their lives in an exemplary manner in conformity with the teachings and precepts of the Catholic Church and to devote themselves to the assistance activities of the Order. Members of the First Class are Knights of Justice, or Professed Knights, and the Professed Conventual Chaplains, who have made vows of “poverty, chastity and obedience aspiring to perfection according to the Gospel”. They are religious according to Canon Law but are not obliged to live in community. The members of the Second Class, by virtue of the Promise of Obedience, are committed to living according to Christian principles and the inspiring principles of the Order. They are subdivided into three categories: – Knights and Dames of Honour and Devotion in Obedience – Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotion in Obedience – Knights and Dames of Magistral Grace in Obedience The Third Class consists of lay members who do not profess religious vows or the Promise, but who live according to the principles of the Church and of the Order. They are divided into six categories: – Knights and Dames of Honour and Devotion – Conventual Chaplains ad honorem – Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotion – Magistral Chaplains – Knights and Dames of Magistral Grace – Donats (male and female) of Devotion The contact information of the entity operating in your country can be found here. Mission Upholding human dignity Read all Hospitaller mission Humanitarian, medical & social assistance Read all Humanitarian diplomacy Linking diplomacy with aid Read all All news 02/01/2023 Fra’ John Dunlap writes to Pope Francis for World Peace Day Letter of Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap in response to Pope Francis’ message for 56th World Peace Day, celebrated on 1 January 2023 Most Blessed Father, At… Read all FAQ Photo & Video Galleries The Order of Malta’s Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem: a birthplace of hope The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Senegal presents his letters of credence The President of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law at the Magistral Palace The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Chile presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Hungary presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Armenia presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Greece presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Belarus presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Federative Republic of Brazil presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Niger presents his letters of credence The funeral of Fra’ Marco Luzzago Order of Malta aid to Ukraine The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Gabonese Republic presents his letters of credence Young German diplomats visit the Order of Malta’s Villa Magistrale The Order of Malta at the forefront in delivering aid to Ukrainian refugees Visit of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to the Order of Malta The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Tajikistan presents his letters of credence The feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ordre de Malte France – Join men and women who give hope to those who have lost it The new Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste presents his letters of credence ‹› All Galleries The Order of Malta The Order of Malta Mission Members & Structure Knights of Malta National Institutions FAQ Sources of law Constitution and code Spirituality Spiritual Commitment Prelate Pilgrimages Our Lady of Philermos Nuns of the Order Saints & Blessed Government Government Governance Sovereign Council Lieutenant of the Grand Master Grand Commander Grand Chancellor Grand Hospitaller Receiver of the Common Treasure Government bodies Flags & Emblems Anthem Order Pro Merito Melitensi Seats of the Order of Malta Magistral Palace Magistral Villa Magistral Archives and Library Stamps & Coins Humanitarian & medical works Humanitarian & medical works Hospitaller Mission Aid for Refugees Disaster Relief & Prevention Diseases & Epidemics Medical Facilities Social assistance Malteser International Volunteers The Global Fund for Forgotten People Bethlehem’s Hospital Youth for Lebanon Diplomatic Activities Diplomatic Activities Humanitarian diplomacy Bilateral relations Multilateral relations Ambassadors at large News News News 2022 Latest Interventions Diplomatic Activities Lieutenant of the Grand Master news News Archive Photo & video gallery Press & Publications Press & Publications Publications In the news Press Releases Newsletter Mimic Orders History History 1048 to present day The Grand Masters Ancient Langues of the Order Names of the Order The eight-pointed cross 1113 Papal Recognition Orders of St John Contacts Contacts Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta Magistral Palace, Via Condotti, 68 Rome - Italy Tel. +39.06.67581.1 | [email protected] For information on the activities of the Order of Malta in individual countries and how to participate: Europe | Africa | America | Asia | Oceania For information on history and bibliography pertaining to the Order of Malta: Magistral Archives and Library [email protected] For information on visiting times and to make a reservation for the Magistral Villa: [email protected] Short NoticeThis website uses technical and assimilated cookies to allow Order of Malta to analyze the online navigation in aggregated statistics. To find out more click on "Cookie Settings" Button. Accepting the cookies allows us to have aggregated insights about user behaviour.Cookie policyCookies Settings Reject All Accept All CookiesPrivacy Preference CenterYour PrivacyStrictly Necessary CookiesPerformance CookiesTargeting CookiesYour PrivacyWhen you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. More informationStrictly Necessary CookiesAlways ActiveThese cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.Performance Cookies Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.Targeting Cookies Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.Back ButtonBack Filter ButtonConsent Leg.Interest Switch Label label Switch Label label Switch Label labelClear checkbox label labelApply CancelConfirm My ChoicesReject All Allow All