The Order of Malta has been a religious Order since 1113, the year it was recognized by Pope Paschal II. As a religious
Order, it is linked to the Holy See, but at the same time it is independent as a sovereign subject of international law.
In
this respect the religious character of the Order coexists with its full sovereignty. The Grand Master is at the same time
head of a sovereign State and head of a religious Order. In this second capacity the Holy Roman Church gives him the rank
of Cardinal.
The Order of Malta is a lay religious Order according to Canon Law, where some of its members are religious
- they have professed the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience - and others have taken a special vow of obedience,
while the great majority of the knights and dames are lay members. The Grand Master of the Order is elected from among the
Professed Knights of Perpetual Vows.
The eight-pointed Cross which symbolizes the Order represents the eight Beatitudes
and is thus a visual memento of its spirituality.
. The other Knights and Dames are lay members, devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity. What distinguishes
the Knights of Malta is their commitment to reaching their spiritual perfection within the Church and to expending their energies
serving the poor and the sick.
The Order of Malta remains true to its inspiring principles, summarized in the motto "Tuitio
Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum", defence of the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering, which become reality through
the voluntary work carried out by Dames and Knights in humanitarian assistance and medical and social activities. Today the
Order carries out these activities in over 120 countries.
According to the Constitutional Charter, members of the Order are required to maintain exemplary Christian behaviour in
their private and public life, contributing to the maintenance of the Order's
The members of the Order may be defined as Catholics enlivened by altruistic nobleness of spirit and behaviour. All Knights
must meet the traditional requirement for the bestowing of knighthood: distinguish themselves for special virtues. The knighthood
nature of the Order has kept its moral value, characterized by the spirit of service, sacrifice and discipline of today's
Knights. Battles are no longer fought with swords, but with the peaceful tools of the fight against disease, poverty, social
isolation and intolerance, as well as the defence and promotion of the faith.
All the 12,500 Knights and Dames of the Order, whether professed friars or lay members, are devoted to the exercise of
Christian virtue and charity, and committed to achieving their spiritual perfection within the Church
