The formal name for the Knights of Malta is the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, or the Order of Malta, which was formed long before their reign on the island of Malta. The Order was established in 1085 as a community of monks responsible for looking after the sick at the Hospital of Saint John in Jerusalem. In 1113, Pope Paschal II sanctioned the Hospitallers Order, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. By 1126, the Order had become a military Order, charged with defending Christian territory in the Holy Lands, and protecting Christians during pilgrimages to the Holy Land. The Order built castles and other fortifications throughout Palestine. Membership in the Order was restricted to those from noble families, and the Order soon acquired much wealth from those it recruited. The Order was ruled by a Grand Master who was answerable only to the Pope, and Knights were chosen from the aristocratic families of England, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and were sworn to celibacy, poverty and obedience. The Order was both a religious, military and medical order, so not everyone associated with the Order was a knight. After a series of retreats in its fight against Islam, the Order surrendered on Christmas Eve of 1522, and were allowed to depart from their last base on Rhodes in January 1, 1523. Although without territory, the Order was still recognized as a sovereign power, and over the next few years it established seats at Crete and elsewhere. In 1530, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V gave them a choice between Malta or Tripoli as a new base of operations. They chose Malta, and remained there for 268 years, and it was in that period that they became known as the Knights of Malta. Today, the Order continues to be a sovereign power, with associations in several countries, and has an agreement with the Maltese government for the use of Fort Sant'Angelo on Malta. Membership in the Knights is by invitation only and solicitations are not considered.
Recommended Resources
Grand Prieuré Melitense – Knights of Malta
Also known as the Sovereign Order of Saint John, the Knights of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western civilization, having been active in Palestine in 1040. The ecumenical religious Order includes friars and others who have made promise of obedience, while the other Knights and Dames are lay members. Its locations, office contacts, publications, and bulletins are featured.
https://knights-of-malta.org/
Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
Also known as the Knights of Malta, the Catholic ecumenical Order is independent of any other Order or organization. Its origins and history are told, and a 40-minute documentary of the Order, and another on the Siege of Malta are featured, and information on becoming a Knight, and some of the emblems of the Order are explained, as well as its rank and insignia. Newsletters and other correspondence are included.
http://www.knightshospitallers.org/
Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories
A historic synopsis of the Order, from its beginnings in Jerusalem from 1291 to 1308, as a military arm in Cyprus and Rhodes (1308-1523), in Malta (1291-1798), and in modern times, is given, along with its organizational structure, membership and admissions procedures, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, its international aid services, contacts, and a gallery of photographs are included.
http://www.kmfap.com/
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem - Knights of Malta OSJ is a sovereign entity, and a nation without territory at the present time. That wasn’t always the case, however. Its history and current status are highlighted, including a historic summary. Its constitution is published to the site, the Grand Master of the Order is introduced, and a calendar of events is featured, along with a gallery of photographs.
http://www.orderofmaltaosj.com/
Order of Malta, American Association
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization. The lay religious order is traditionally of a military, chivalrous, noble nature. Founded in 1927 as the first association of the Order of Malta in the Americas, the American Association is headquartered in New York City. Its officers, staff, office location and hours are posted, with a calendar of events and general information about the Knights of Malta.
https://orderofmaltaamerican.org/
Order of Malta, Australian Association
The Order’s history, mission, government, spirituality, and diplomatic relations are discussed, along with its membership, emblems and symbols. The location, office hours and contacts for its Australia offices are posted, and its services to the homeless, charitable works, ambulance rehabilitation, and pharmaceutical support to medical clinics in Timor-Leste are outlined. Contributions may be made through the site.
http://orderofmalta.org.au/
Order of Malta, Grand Priory of England, British Association
The England offices of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta are headquartered in London. Office hours and contacts are published to the site, activity reports are posted, and various publications and media are included. General information, a profile and history of the Order, its organizational structure, and its mission are featured.
http://www.orderofmalta.org.uk/
Order of Malta, The Federal Association
Present in Palestine around 1050, the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem (Knights of Malta) is a lay religious Order, with its own constitution, passports, stamps and public institutions. The Federal Association has Knights and Dames in twenty-three cities nationwide. Its leadership, admissions and sponsorship criteria, Catholic ministries, and regions are defined, and a calendar of events is posted.
https://www.orderofmalta-federal.org/
Order of Malta, Western Association
Based in Rome, the Order of Malta has its own government, independent magistracy, and diplomatic relations with more than a hundred countries. Its organization and structure are defined, and the importance of spirituality is emphasized. Located in San Francisco, the Western Association is one of three in the United States, the others being in New York and Washington DC. Regular activities of the Order are highlighted.
http://orderofmaltawestern.org/
The lay Catholic Order was established in 1113, and is currently active in more than a hundred countries, providing medical, social and humanitarian services, particularly in the midst of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Its official web site offers a detailed history and profile of the Order, its governance and councils, humanitarian and medical services, and diplomatic activities, and various publications may be downloaded through the site.
https://www.orderofmalta.int/
