Ethan Walker
The Knights of Malta, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order with a military, chivalric, and noble nature. The order was founded in the 11th century, with some sources stating the exact year as 1048, while others state it as 1099. The Knights of Malta was established as a hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or race. Over time, the order evolved into a military order, defending Christian holy sites and providing aid to the poor and sick. Today, the Knights of Malta continue their charitable work, with members dedicated to the teachings and precepts of the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature | Military, chivalric, noble, humanitarian, charitable |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Year of founding | 1048 or 1099 |
| Founder | Amalfian merchants or Blessed Gerard |
| Headquarters | Rome |
| Membership | 13,000 or 13,500 worldwide |
| Members' titles | Knights and Dames (females) |
| Leadership | Grand Master, Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, Receiver of the Common Treasure |
| Motto | Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum ("Defence of the faith and assistance to the poor") |
| Vows | Poverty, chastity, obedience |
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What You'll Learn
The Knights of Malta are a Catholic organisation
The Knights of Malta, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), is a Catholic organisation. It is officially called the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. The organisation is headquartered in Rome and has around 13,500 members worldwide, including knights and dames. The Knights of Malta is a Catholic lay religious order with a military, chivalric, and noble nature.
The history of the Knights of Malta dates back to the 11th century when they were known as the Knights Hospitaller. The order was founded by merchants from the ancient Marine Republic of Amalfi, who obtained permission from the Caliph of Egypt to build a church, convent, and hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any faith or race. In 1113, Pope Paschal II officially recognised the Knights of Malta as a lay religious order, and they became bound by the three monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Over the centuries, the Knights of Malta have had a presence in various locations, including Jerusalem, Cyprus, Rhodes, and Malta. They were involved in military conflicts, such as the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and played a role in the defence of Christian territories during the Crusades. The order experienced disruptions during the Reformation and was forced to leave Malta in 1798 due to the invasion of Napoleon's army.
Despite these challenges, the Knights of Malta continued to exist and settled permanently in Rome in the 19th century. Today, the organisation is focused on its humanitarian mission and sponsors medical missions in numerous countries. The members of the order are expected to conduct their lives in accordance with the teachings and precepts of the Catholic Church and devote themselves to humanitarian assistance activities. The order's motto, "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum," reflects its commitment to nurturing and protecting the faith while serving the poor and the sick.
The Knights of Malta have a unique status under international law as a sovereign entity, and their insignia is one of only two orders that can be displayed in a clerical coat of arms in the ecclesiastical heraldry of the Catholic Church. The organisation has a structured leadership, including a Grand Master, who is currently Fra' Marco Luzzago, and a Sovereign Council.
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The Order of Malta is a sovereign entity
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of a military, chivalric, and noble nature. Though it possesses no territory, the order is considered a sovereign entity under international law.
The Order traces its institutional continuity with the Knights Hospitaller, a chivalric order that was founded about 1099 by the Blessed Gerard in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Order of St. John dates back to around the second half of the 11th century. 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 recognized 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.
The Order's sovereignty is also expressed in the issuance of passports, licence plates, stamps, and coins. The Order has signed treaties with Italy dated 20 February 1884, 23 December 1915, 4 January 1938, and 1956. The Supreme Court of Cassation decreed that the Order constitutes a sovereign international subject, equal to a foreign state with which Italy has normal diplomatic relations. The Order's international nature is useful in enabling it to pursue its humanitarian activities without being seen as an operative of any particular nation.
The government of the Sovereign Order of Malta has a similar structure to national state governments, but also includes specific features associated with its nature as a lay religious order. The head of the Order is the Prince and Grand Master, who governs as both sovereign and religious superior. He is elected to a term of ten years and may be elected to a second term but may not serve beyond the completion of his 85th year. The current Grand Master is Fra' John T. Dunlap, who was elected on 3 May 2023.
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The Order's humanitarian work
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order, commonly known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta. It is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization, with a history dating back to the second half of the 11th century.
The Order of Malta has a long tradition of humanitarian work, with a focus on providing medical and social assistance to those in need. Its members, volunteers, and staff form an efficient network that provides emergency relief, medical care, and social services in most countries around the world. Here are some examples of their humanitarian work:
Emergency Relief and Disaster Response
The Order of Malta is known for its quick response to natural disasters and armed conflicts. They provide emergency relief to refugees, displaced persons, and victims of catastrophes. For example, they intervened during severe floods in Romania and offered humanitarian support to the population in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
Medical Assistance and Healthcare
With a large number of medical personnel and paramedics among its staff, the Order of Malta provides essential medical assistance and healthcare services in many countries. They have active projects in 130 countries, including providing medical assistance to indigenous communities in Colombia and establishing a network of medical and social centers in Lebanon.
Social Assistance and Integration Projects
The Order of Malta's centuries-old mission is to care for the weakest and most excluded members of society. They have various social assistance projects, such as traditional soup kitchens in Hungary, Great Britain, Spain, and Bulgaria, which provide food for the economically disadvantaged and refugees. They also promote integration programmes for minority groups, such as the Roma people in Europe, and protect persecuted minorities like the Rohingya community in Bangladesh.
Summer Camps and Youth Initiatives
The Order of Malta organizes Summer Camps for Young Disabled people in several European countries. These camps have been running for over 35 years and promote cultural exchange, socialization, and the inclusion of young people with disabilities and their families. They also collaborate with other organizations on youth initiatives, such as creating paths to support young people with disabilities entering the workforce.
Diplomatic Relations and International Cooperation
The Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with over 100 states and the European Union. Its sovereignty and international recognition allow it to pursue humanitarian activities without being tied to any specific nation. The Order has permanent observer status at the United Nations, facilitating its humanitarian work and enabling it to strengthen international cooperation, as seen in its participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
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The Order's history and founding
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, officially known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order with a long and complex history. The Order is commonly referred to as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta.
The origins of the Knights of Malta can be traced back to the 11th century, when they were known as the Knights Hospitaller. In 1048, merchants from the ancient Marine Republic of Amalfi obtained permission from the Caliph of Egypt to build a church, convent, and hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any faith or race. This monastic community, known as the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, became independent under the leadership of its founder, the religious brother Gerard.
In 1113, Pope Paschal II officially recognized the Order as a lay religious order, bound by the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Pope identified Hospitaller Gerard as the Order's founder, along with a group of monks known as the 'Professed', who remain integral to the Order today. Over time, the Order expanded throughout Europe, attracting members from various countries.
In 1291, after losing the Holy Land, the Order relocated to the island of Cyprus. They later moved to Rhodes in 1310 and established themselves as a significant naval force in the Mediterranean. However, they were defeated by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1523 and were forced to find a new home. In 1530, Grand Master Fra' Philippe de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam secured the island of Malta for the Order, granted by Emperor Charles V and approved by Pope Clement VII.
The Knights of Malta played a crucial role in defending the island during the Great Siege of 1565, successfully repelling Ottoman forces for over three months. Their fleet also contributed to the defeat of Ottoman naval power in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. However, the Reformation caused significant disruptions to the Order, leading to its dissolution in some countries and Protestant conversions in others.
Despite these challenges, the Order continued to exist, negotiating with European powers and finding refuge in places like Saint Petersburg, where they were supported by Emperor Paul I. The Order settled permanently in Rome in 1834, refocusing on its humanitarian mission. Today, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a global charity with thousands of members, volunteers, and employees dedicated to humanitarian projects and social assistance in numerous countries.
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The Order's structure and leadership
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, and commonly known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order with a military, chivalric, and noble nature. The Order is led by an elected prince and Grand Master. Its motto is Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum ("Defence of the faith and assistance to the poor").
The government of the Sovereign Order of Malta has a structure similar to national state governments, with specific features associated with its nature as a lay religious order. The Order's membership includes about 13,500 Knights, Dames, and Chaplains. Thirty-three of these are professed religious Knights of Justice. The members are divided into three classes according to the Constitution. The first class is made up of 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”. The other two classes are not specified. Until the 1990s, the highest classes of membership, including officers, required proof of noble lineage.
The top leadership of the Order consists of the Grand Master, the Grand Commander, the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Hospitaller, and the Receiver of the Common Treasure (finance minister). They sit above a Sovereign Council, made up of six members. The all-male top leaders are not clerics, but they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the pope.
The Order maintains diplomatic relations with 114 states, enters into treaties, and issues its own passports, coins, and postage stamps. Its two headquarters buildings in Rome enjoy extraterritoriality, and it maintains embassies in other countries. The three principal officers are counted as citizens. The Order has been a United Nations General Assembly observer since 1994 and has approximately 95,000 volunteers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Knights of Malta, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious order.
The motto of the Knights of Malta is "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum", which means "Defence of the faith and assistance to the poor".
The Knights of Malta were founded in the 11th century, around the year 1048 or 1099, in Jerusalem.
Today, the Knights of Malta is a global charity organisation with around 13,000 members worldwide. They are dedicated to humanitarian projects and social assistance in over 120 countries.
The Knights of Malta is led by an elected prince and grand master. The top leadership also includes the Grand Commander, the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Hospitaller, and the Receiver of the Common Treasure.
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