Investiture

Membership more and more is being recognized
for what it truly must be—
a commitment to spiritual development
through personal service and sacrifice.

I promise, calling on the name of God, in chivalrous fidelity, always to bear witness to the Catholic Faith, to defend the Church, and to lead my life in accordance with the teachings of Holy Mother Church. I declare myself ready as a member of the Order of Malta to care for our Lords the sick and the poor with all my strength and ability. I also declare myself ready to obey the Constitution, the statues, and the Rule of the Order, and to fulfill with fidelity and diligence whatever the Order and my superiors impose on me. To all this, so help me God, our Lady of Philermos, Saint John the Baptist our glorious patron, Blessed Fra’ Gerard our founder, and all the Saints of our Order. You here present I also call to witness my commitment.

Rite of Investiture

Investiture

Formation for Candidates

During the Year of Formation, each candidate is expected to complete a core program of activities designed to educate them about the fundamental activities of the Order and expose them to a variety of experiences they will enjoy as Knights and Dames.

The core program consists of the following:

Attendance at the Day of Formation in April of the year preceding investiture.

Participation in at least two of the Association's Masses or other spiritual activities, including, but not limited to: the Lourde's Pilgrimage, one of the Association's weekend retreats, and Masses in honor of St. John the Baptist or the Sanctity of Life or a Mass held in November in memory of deceased members of the Order.

Participation in at least two of the Order's service activities for the sick and poor with the goal of finding one in which the candidate will become fully engaged as a Knight or Dame.

Investiture Ceremony and Annual Dinner

Candidates for admission to the Order participate in a year of formation—during which they learn of the history and spirituality of the Order. They participate in religious exercises, retreats, and days of reflection. They participate in a “hands-on” way in Malta projects that teach them to serve our Lords the sick and the poor. Following the completion of this year of formation, they are first approved by the Admissions Committee and the Board of Directors of the Federal Association. Upon successful completion of the obligations of the year of formation candidates are ultimately approved by the Sovereign Council and Grand Master of the Order in Rome. With final approval, they participate in a Solemn Ceremony of Investiture at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.

Candidates participate in a solemn procession typically with the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, the Principal Chaplain of the Federal Association. With the Cardinal presiding, the President of the Association, representing the Grand Master of the Order, invests the new candidates.
On the evening of Investiture the Federal Association hosts its Annual Dinner, a formal white tie occasion with over 200 in attendance.

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