THE ORDER OF MALTA
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, best known now days as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, is the oldest extant lay religious order of the Roman, Catholic church. It developed from the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, which was in existence in 1099 when the first Crusaders reached Jerusalem. Originally established to care for pilgrims to the Holy Land, it was called by circumstances to develop its military function in order to protect those for which it cared and Christianity, the reason for its presence in the Holy Land.
The Order of Malta is a religious, lay, military and traditionally aristocratic Order of Chivalry. Its purpose is to promote the glorification of God through the sanctification of its members. It has as its particular charisma the dual objectives of the defense of the Faith (Tutio Fidei) and service to those in need (Obsequium Pauperum). In pursuit of these aims, the Order has through the centuries been an active participant in both the major political and military moments in history which assured the preservation of Christianity in Europe and in the advancement of the medical sciences.
By never forsaking its origins and always insisting on rendition of personal service by its members to those most in need, the Order of Malta has maintained its relevancy to the moment throughout its 900 year history.
Today, it counts is comprised of over approximately 12,000 members and hundreds of thousands of volunteers who work in over 50 countries. Still considered sovereign despite having lost all territorial jurisdiction, it maintains diplomatic relations with over 90 countries and is a Permanent Observer at the Organization of the United Nations. Faithful to the precepts established by Blessed Gerard, its founder, the Order today continues to promote the glorification of God through the sanctification of its members by the preservation of the Faith and the rendition of service to those in need.