Admission & Formation

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

• The applicant is a lay man or woman (at least 25 years old) who is an active and practicing Catholic in good standing and supports the teachings of the Catholic Church on all matters of faith and morals.
  
• The applicant has a record of service to the Catholic Church and to Catholic-related causes by lending professional expertise and “hands-on” volunteer service to the poor.
  
• The applicant has achieved a degree of distinction in his or her professional field (business, law, medicine, academics, military, Foreign Service, government, philanthropy/charitable activities, etc.). The applicant should be regarded as a leader in his or her field and in the community.

SPONSORSHIP

• Applicants must be sponsored by two members (Knights or Dames) of the Federal Association. The sponsor and applicant should discuss all the criteria for admission before requesting an application. If the applicant is accepted into formation for admission to the Order, both sponsors understand that they will actively mentor their candidate through the formation process and encourage him or her to participate actively in the spiritual activities and service projects of the Order. At least one sponsor should attend the Day of Formation with the candidate on April 19-20, 2012 in Charlotte, NC.

FINANCIAL

• Prior to Investiture, every candidate will be required to pay an initiation fee, known as "Passage Fees", of $4,000. Of this amount, 2,000 Euro is sent to the Order in Rome to support international programs of the Order. For members under the age of 35, the Passage Fee is $ 2,500.
  
• After a candidate is invested, he/she will be required to pay Annual Dues (currently Dues are $1,200/year)
  
• Members are encouraged to contribute to the Order’s Annual Appeal.

Once initially approved by the Admissions Committee, candidates are required to participate in the Association's Year of Formation. All candidates attend the Day of Formation in April. This day-long orientation program is designed to provide candidates an overview of the mission, history, spirituality, and works of the Order of Malta.
During a candidate's Year of Formation, he or she is required to participate in the Order's service projects and spiritual activities sponsored by the Association. Each candidate is assisted throughout the Year of Formation by their Sponsors and by a liaison assigned to them from the Formation Committee.
At the conclusion of the year, a "Formation Checklist" is signed by the candidate's Sponsors and Regional Hospitaller (local coordinator of activities). The checklist is then reviewed by the Formation Committee. If the candidate has fulfilled the requirements, the committee will recommend them to the Association's Board of Directors for final approval.
The admissions and formation process takes approximately 18 months. This allows time for the candidates to become fully acquainted with the Order and the Federal Association as well as with the commitment they are about to undertake as a members of the Order.