Order of Malta
The Order of Malta is the world’s oldest Christian charity. It was founded in the eleventh century in Jerusalem, where the Blessed Gerard and his followers, knights crusaders, tended to sick pilgrims and to the poor and the needy in the city. Noone was ever turned away, as the knights vowed to care for all in need, regardless of religion, race or origin. This mission, to care for the sick and the marginalised in society, continues to this day, through the works of the Order’s 12,500 members around the world.
One of the longest-established traditions of the Order is to look after those afflicted with leprosy, a disease still prevalent in many parts of the world, despite modern medical advances. The Order has established an international committee in Geneva to direct programmes for the treatment of leprosy – Hansen’s disease – and since the 1990s has cured over 17,000 sufferers in Asia. Its current activities, treating victims with MDT (multi drug therapy) and educating local populations, at the moment focussed on Cambodia, are proving very effective. They can become even more so with increased funding. The Order appeals to all who can to donate to this most unsung, worthy cause.
Historical Survey
1048: JERUSALEM
The foundation of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem as a monastic community by the Blessed Gerard. Knights of the Order care for pilgrims, the sick and the needy, as they have done ever since.
By virtue of the Papal Bull of 1113 issued by Pope Paschall II, the hospital of St John is placed under the aegis of the Church, and granted exemptions. With the responsibilities of military defence of the sick and the Christian territories, the Order evolves into both a religious and military chivalric Order.
1310: RHODES
In 1291, with the fall of St. John of Acre, the last bastion of Christianity in the Holy Land, the Order is forced to leave the island and settle in Cyprus. It acquires territorial sovereignty on taking possession of the Island of Rhodes in 1310.
To defend the Christian world, the Order assembles a powerful military fleet, patrolling the eastern seas and engaging in several celebrated battles.
Governed by a Grand Master as Sovereign Prince of Rhodes, together with a Sovereign Council, it mints its own currency and establishes diplomatic relations with other States.
The Order’s knights are victorious over numerous Ottoman attacks until, overrun by Sultan Suliman the Magnificent with his powerful fleet and large army, they are forced to surrender on January 1st 1523 and, with the Sultan’s recognition of their bravery, leave the island with full military honours.
1530: MALTA
The next seven years see the Order without territory, but retaining its sovereignty, a situation which prevailed until Emperor Charles V granted the knights the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, and the city of Tripoli, as a sovereign fiefdom. On October 26th 1530, the Order takes possession of Malta with the approval of Pope Clement VII. During the Great Siege between May and September 1565, the knights rout the Ottomans under the leadership of Grand Master Frà’ de la Valette (who gave his name to the capital of Malta). The fleet of the Order of St. John (or of Malta, as they are now known) is one of the mightiest in the Mediterranean and plays its part in the victory over the Ottomans at the battle of Lepanto in 1571.
1798: EXILE
In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte occupies Malta en route to his campaign in Egypt. He meets with no resistance from the knights, as their regulations forbid them to fight other Christians, and thus the Order is forced to leave the island. By 1801, Malta is occupied by the British, and despite the recognition of the Order of Malta’s rights of sovereignty as enshrined in the Treaty of Amiens (1802), it is unable to retake possession of the island.
1834: ROME
Having resided temporarily in Messina, Catania and then Ferrara, the Order settles in Rome in 1834, in properties with extraterritorial status: the Grand Magistry in via Condotti and the Villa Malta on the Aventine Hill. From this time, the Order’s original mission of service to the poor and the sick again becomes its main activity. The Order carries out hospitaller and charitable activities during both World Wars, and these activities are developed and intensified under the stewardship of Grand Master Frà’ Angelo de Mojana (1962-1988) and continue today under his successor, the 78th Grand Master, Frà’ Andrew Bertie.
21st CENTURY
Spanning a history of almost nine centuries, the Sovereign Order of Malta can proudly claim to be the sole successor to the Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, recognised by the Catholic Church in 1113. The Order has the unique characteristic of being both a religious and a chivalric Order of the Catholic Church. It is the sole organisation with an uninterrupted sovereignty to have professed knights, the direct successors of its founders. The Grand Master is chosen from their ranks, as are most of the members of the Sovereign Council.
As a subject of international public law, the Order has always been recognised as sovereign. The Grand Master governs the Order both as sovereign and religious head. He is assisted by and presides over the Sovereign Council, which is composed of four high offices – those of the Grand Commander, the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Hospitaller, and the Receiver of the Common Treasure – as well as six other members, all elected by the Order’s Chapter General for a five-year term. They are chosen from among professed knights and knights in obedience. The Grand Master must be a professed knight in perpetual vows. He is elected for life.
The Council of Government and the Board of Auditors, whose compositions reflect the international character of the Order, assist the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council. The Chapter General also elects these two bodies for a five-year term.
The Sovereign Order has a permanent presence in 55 countries, through the intermediary of six Grand Priories, five Sub-Priories and 47 National Associations, in addition to the many hospitals, medical centres, dispensaries, relief corps, foundations and specialised establishments it looks after in 120 countries.
Its 12,500 members and 80,000 permanent volunteers, backed by qualified staff comprised of over 18,000 doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and other voluntary assistants, devote themselves to serving the poor, the sick and those who suffer. The Order is especially involved in helping victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters by providing medical assistance, caring for refugees, and distributing medicines and basic equipment for survival.
