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Hong Kong 香港

Order of Malta

1. What is the Order of Malta and its mission?
Founded in the 11th century in Jerusalem, the Order of Malta is a Catholic lay religious order, and is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation. Faithful to its centuries old mission of service to the vulnerable and the sick, it runs medical, social and humanitarian projects in 120 countries serving those in need without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Its mission: Upholding human dignity and caring for people in need is summed up in its founding motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”: nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick.
2. What do we mean by saying that it is a religious order?
The Order was born as a monastic community inspired by St John the Baptist in the Holy Land around 1050. The Hospitallers ran a hospice providing care and shelter for pilgrims of any faith. In 1113 it received formal acknowledgement as a religious order from Pope Paschal II, granting it the right to freely elect its superiors without interference from other lay or religious authorities and providing the legal basis of its independence. Before 1798 all knights were religious, having taken the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Still today, some members of the Order of Malta are religious according to Canon Law, others have pronounced the promise of obedience, pledging to follow Christian principles more profoundly while living in society.
Most of the Order of Malta’s 13,500 knights and dames are lay members.  Although they have not pronounced any religious vow, they are all devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity, and committed to developing their spirituality within the Catholic Church and to expending their energies collaborating in the medical and social works of the Order.
3. Where can I find more information on the history of the Order ?
You can find more information on the rich history of the Order, as well as the different names of the Order here: https://www.orderofmalta.int/history/
4. The Order and its Many Names
Since its foundation 960 years ago, many names have been used to identify the Order of Malta and its members. To protect this heritage, the Order of Malta has legally registered 16 versions of its names and emblems in some 100 countries. Please visit the Order of Malta International for clarification.
There is a proliferation all over the world of bodies and associations which, using symbols and names not unlike those of the Order of Malta, are trying in every measure to represent themselves as legitimate and recognised orders of Saint John.
Caution is strongly recommended when considering proposals or appeals from organisations claiming to be the Order of Malta or an order of Saint John. Please have their authenticity confirmed by one of the Grand Priories, National Associations or Embassies of the Sovereign Order of Malta accredited in their respective countries. 
Please see https://www.orderofmalta.int/clarification-mimic-orders/

 

5. How does one become a member of the Order of Malta?
Members of the Order of Malta are admitted by invitation. They are made up of practicing Catholics of good standing, who have acquired merit over the years with regard to the Order of Malta, its institutions and its humanitarian works. The relevant Grand Priory or National Association is responsible for proposals of admission. 
6. How does one become a volunteer in Hong Kong?
All volunteers are most welcome. Please read our volunteer section.  If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at info@orderofmalta.org or simply fill in the online volunteer registration form.
7. What are the charitable works of the Order of Malta International and how is it financed?
The Order of Malta runs medical, social and humanitarian projects in 120 countries. The Order of Malta International’s worldwide relief agency Malteser International  is especially involved in helping victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters by providing medical assistance,first aid, caring for refugees, and distributing medicines and basic equipment for survival.
The Order has social assistance programmes to help the homeless in both developed and developing countries, cares for people often pushed to society’s fringes including the disabled and elderly, and organises medical and social campaigns. 
Funds come from members, private and public donations and vary according to different countries, types of projects and situations. Resources for hospitals and medical activities usually come from agreements stipulated with the national health and social systems. The same is true for emergency services.
In developing countries, activities are often backed by grants from governments, the European Commission, the UN specialized agencies or other international organisations. Funds also come from donations or benefactors’ contributions to the Order of Malta’s activities.
The Global Fund for Forgotten People was founded by Order of Malta in 2011. It fundraises money for works of the Order and  makes approximately 40 grants a year in support of the forgotten and builds the capacity of the Order of Malta to support forgotten people around the world.
8. What are the charitable projects of the Order in Hong Kong?
Partnering with local organisations such as Caritas, we have initiated a number of sustainable charitable projects in Hong Kong   They include: Flying Young Program, School for Students with Special Needs, Lourdes Pilgrimage and Asia Pacific Camp for Youth with Disabilities. For more information click here.
9. How are Hong Kong activities financed?
The Order of Malta in Hong Kong has charitable status and its projects and works are sustained by financial and in-kind donations, and contributions.

Order of Malta

Hong Kong