While the Order of Malta is best known as one of the world’s largest providers of non-governmental aid, it is in fact first and foremost a lay religious order of the Catholic church.  Founded in Jerusalem by Blessed Gerard, the Order first received papal approbation in 1113, making it one of the oldest.  It is at the same time one of the world’s oldest orders of Chivalry, traditionally nobiliary in character, and the last surviving military order of the Church – all factors which combine to give this multi-faceted Order its unique character.

The charism of the Order, defence of the Faith and service of Our Lords the Poor, provides the framework for all that we do.  The purpose of the Order is the promotion of the glory of God through the sanctification of its members; it achieves this through responding to the needs of the poor and the sick: “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

At the heart of the Order are the professed Knights of Justice – the lay religious upon whom the whole Order rests.  These men live in the world but living according to and making solemn vows of the Evangelical Counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience – soldiers of Christ, fighting for the Order’s ancient charism.