Hospitaller Works

Since its inception, and in keeping with the Objects of the Order, the Federal Association has emphasized and fostered among its members a charism of personal service and sacrifice. The honor of membership in the Order of Malta presupposes a strong record of service to the Church and church-related causes—in particular to the poor and the sick.

Knights and Dames of the Federal Association have become closely involved with dozens of varied projects and volunteer programs—both at home and abroad. Many of these projects have resulted in longstanding relationships with the Association and its members and have developed into signature projects—projects that receive the ongoing support of Knights and Dames. Some of the original projects include Project SHARE and Malta House in Washington, D.C.; Christmas in April throughout many membership regions; the Duchesne Clinic in Kansas City; Malta Park and Malta Court in New Orleans; Cherrydale Nursing Home in Arlington, Virginia; and St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Jacksonville.

The Association has helped establish, through the generosity of its members, several assisted living facilities since 1995—with the first opening its doors in Washington, D.C. There are other residential living and rehabilitation facilities in Syracuse and New Orleans.

In 2000, the Federal Association initiated a partnership with Medicines for Humanity and, with that, the highly successful Clinic Program was born. It took root in membership regions where Knights and Dames had first-hand knowledge of health clinics that not only were providing medical care to the poor, but also carrying out such service in a manner consistent with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Through this program, the Association was able to obtain—at a significant discount—the medicines most frequently dispensed at the clinics. In just its first four years, the Federal Association was able to provide the clinics with over $3 million worth of medicines—at a fraction of the cost.

In 2005, members of the Federal Association responded with unprecedented generosity of time and resources to the Tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia and to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the Gulf States. As a result, hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent directly to those who suffered great losses in the affected regions. These gifts were used collectively to support those working on behalf of the Order in providing disaster relief. In concert with this generosity, members of the Association have volunteered hundreds of hours to a New Orleans home renovation project in partnership with Rebuilding Together. The Knights and Dames have remained committed to these rebuilding efforts and their hands-on support of this project has not waned since the hurricane struck. Knights and Dames of the Federal Association have joined forces with their confrères from the two other U.S. Associations to return many displaced to their homes since the project began—many of whom live in the poorest parishes of New Orleans.

Over the years, the Federal Association has generously supported many international programs. The Federal Association has sent over $50 million in food, medicines, and relief supplies to those in need all over the world—including Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, as well as several Eastern European countries.

One of the Association’s most intensive relief programs has been the Task Force for Cuba. Since 1996, the Association has sent millions of dollars worth of food, medicines, and other supplies and has sent several delegations of Knights and Dames—even participating in the visits by the Pope and, later, the Grand Master. In 2000, the Task Force on Cuba arranged to have $700,000 worth of donated medicines sent to Cuba from Abbott Laboratories as well as $34,000 worth of specialized equipment for the disabled. There have been tremendous logistical and political challenges in attempts to assist the many poor of this country—and, the Task Force has been tireless in its efforts.

In 1998 the Federal Association took the lead in an effort to raise $10 million for the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem. The hospital, owned by the Order of Malta and managed by the Daughters of Charity, provides modern gynecological, prenatal, obstetric, and neonatal intensive care to women and infants irrespective of their national origin, religion, or ability to pay—only 33% of the operating costs are covered by patients. Since 1990, the hospital has delivered over 40,000 mothers—without a single maternal death. The hospital is the only of its kind to provide care to women with high-risk pregnancies. In a region so beset with conflict and strife and where infant mortality rates are among the highest in the world—the singular mission and work of this hospital are critically important. Holy Family Hospital—located in the birthplace of Christ—has become today a birthplace of hope. For more information about the foundation or to support the hospital please visit Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation.