Mission of the Order

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta (commonly known as the "Order of Malta") is a lay, religious order of the Catholic Church. The Order of Malta—one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization—was founded in Jerusalem during the eleventh century. Members of the Order seek to glorify God through their work with the poor and the sick and their witness of the Catholic faith.

The Order of Malta remains true to its inspiring principles, summarized in the motto: "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum," defense of the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering, which become reality through the voluntary work carried out by the Knights and Dames in humanitarian assistance and medical and relief efforts. Today, the Order carries out these services in over 120 countries.

There are approximately 12,500 Knights and Dames of Malta around the world. They belong to one of 59 national associations, priories, or sub-priories. There are three national associations in the United States—the Federal Association, based in Washington, D.C.; the American Association, based in New York; and, the Western Association, based in California.

The origins of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the United States date back to 1927 in New York City with the founding of the American Association. By the 1950's, the membership had grown so geographically diverse that the Sovereign Council established the Western Association in San Francisco to encompass the nine western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. The Order continued to increase in membership over the next twenty years and, in 1974, the Sovereign Council approved the formation of the Southern Association—which is known today as the Federal Association, U.S.A. The Federal Association is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and today its members are found in over twenty regions nationwide.