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In the 11th century the Knights of Malta established a hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or race.

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 130 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 seven categories: – Knights and Dames of Honour and Devotion – Conventual Chaplains ad honorem – Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotion – Magistral Chaplains – Magistral Deacons – 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 20/05/2026 Credentials of Cuba, Guatemala, Peru, Lebanon The Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap received in audience in the Magistral Palace for the presentation of their Letters of Credence, the new Ambassadors of: – Cuba, H.E. Leyde Ernesto… READ ALL FAQ PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERIES The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Chad presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Seychelles presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Armenia presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Marshall Islands presents his letters of credence Photo Credits: Valsts prezidents The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Latvia presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Timor-Leste presents her letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Principality of Monaco presents her letters of credence Pope Leo XIV’s thanks to the volunteers of the Order of Malta, at the heart of the Jubilee of Hope The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Burundi presents his letters of credence The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Dominican Republic presents his letters of credence The Order of Malta’s Grand Master at the Concert for the Year of Lithuanian Culture in Italy The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to São Tomé and Príncipe presents his letters of credence The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Belarus presents his letters of credence Brazilian Parliamentarians visit the Magistral Villa of the Order of Malta © Vatican Media Inauguration Mass ...