It is difficult to explain the role of an Order of Knighthood, specifically the role of a knight in 21st century world. Knights today do not seek publicity or in-depth public understanding. Yet our work- includes a facility and service of great interest and importance to the community, so we are pleased to give a brief introduction to the Order, its members, their work and lifestyles.
HISTORY
In ancient times certain sites existed for the care of the helpless and infirm. Such places were hardly hospitals as we know them today. Their primary function was to provide shelter for the homeless, and only superficially to care for the sick. During the 11th century the Knights Hospitallers established the first known facility devoted solely to the care of the sick, called the Hospice of St. Mary of the Latins. That facility began what is now recognized as the general public hospital system, serving those in need of hospital care. In time, every religious monastery or convent had a hospice infirmary wing where members of the Order tended to the sick and dying,,
The Sovereign Order of St. John was founded in Jerusalem in 1048, during the Crusades. The Order's first 500 years were characterized by religious conflict, persecution... and a dedication to the welfare of their fellow humans. The Order began as the Poor Brothers of the Hospital of St. John and was later known as the Knights of St. John, before eventually becoming- the Knights- of Malta with four distinct branches and religious affiliations.
The original order was composed of nursing Brothers who took care of the wounded during periods of war. The Knights established what would today be recognized as M.A.S.H. units. Their hospitals remained open after the Crusades, continuing to care for the sick. In addition, the Order operated hospice "way stations" to tend to pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.
At the close of the 11th century many of the knights who had seen action during the Crusades joined the Order of St. John in gratitude for the nursing care given to them and their comrades during, the conflict. Before long such a commitment to the Order was considered a noble act and the Order was filled with knights and noblemen who became both nursing and fighting monks.
These new knights brought real changes to the Order. Strict guidelines were adopted concerning both the monastic and chivalric responsibilities of a knight. The leadership and structure of the organization also changed, with the Order being governed by a Grand Master (now known as the Prince Grand Master) and composed of Knights, Serving Brothers and Chaplains. All worked in consort with Conventual Dames (nuns), paying heed to the spiritual life while attending to the sick and dying. The Order gained tremendous strength and power and was granted sovereignty in 1565 by Pope Pius IV.
The hospitals were staffed by nursing knights, who were so dedicated that they referred to their patients as "our lords and masters of the sick." Their unselfish devotion to the care of their patients became so well known that a knight of the Order was known as "one who heals." We are proud today to note that these monks and nuns served and cared for the sick and wounded regardless of race or religion.
During the early years the Knights and Dames of St. John were stationed in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the Moslems forced the Order out of the city during a hostile anti-Christian movement in 1291. The Order relocated to the Greek island of Rhodes, where it staved for nearly two centuries. In 1523 the Order was again forced to move by anti-Christian forces. However, King Charles V of Spain looked favorably upon the Order's work and gave the knights the island of Malta. The Order was to remain there until 1797, paying, one falcon annually as rent.
From the 11th to the late 18th century the Order was extremely monastic, its spiritual aspects making knighthood much like being a member of the clergy, In 1797, however, political and religious upheaval again divided Europe. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I viewed the Order as a threat to his empire and attempted to crush it by dividing the knights and seizing Malta.
The Order was scattered, eventually dividing into four branches. The major branch was offered asylum in Russia by Paul I, who became their Grand Master. This Russian Orthodox branch was known as the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem and broke the centuries' old Roman Catholic tradition.
The Roman Catholic branch became known as the Sovereign and Military Order of Malta; the English branch as the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (reconstructed in 1888 by Queen Victoria), and the Lutheran branch was known as the "Johanniterorden". All four divisions are Knights of Malta, sharing the same unbroken historical lines.
Numerous members of the Order sought the religious freedom and seemingly unlimited opportunities of the New World. There were many Knights of Malta among the famous explorers of this country: Spaniards Juan Ponce de Leone, Hernando Cortez, Francisco Coronado and Hernando de Soto, who among them discovered much of Puerto Pico, Mexico, Florida, the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, Arizona and New Mexico; and Quebec's founder, French explorer Samuel de Champlain, along with his deputy, Bras le fer de Chateaufort.
The first American hospital was founded in 1637 by the Knights of Malta. It was built in the wilderness and designed to care for the needs of the local natives. French nuns taught nursing, to Indian women. In time, additional hospitals were established as the population of the New World expanded.
A great many Knights of Malta were involved in the American Revolution, primarily as French military officers. After some years of conflict, the young American forces were beginning to lose their battle against better-equipped and trained British military establishment. King Louis XVI of France was prevailed upon to rally the best officers of the French army and navy in an attempt to help the Americans. Most of the French officers were Knights of Malta.
The well-equipped French expeditionary forces joined the Americans and helped to regain the Chesapeake. They next orchestrated a feint assault against the British in New York-. Once the "redcoats" had been deceived, General Jean Baptiste Rochambeau lead 6,000 French troops across the Hudson River and took New York before leading,, the march on Philadelphia. Near the close of the war there were less than 9,000 American troops available to execute the Yorktown strategy, General George Washington's plan to end the conflict. The Americans were poorly trained, tired, hungry, and ill-equipped to fight( a large battle. The French provided 6,000 additional troops as well as 36 naval vessels and 6 frigates, manned by a total of 24,000 men. Under the military direction of the Knights of Malta, American victory was accomplished with Lord Cornwallis'' surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
Members of the Russian Orthodox branch of the Order of St. John came to America in 1904 and officially established their branch of the Order in Schickshinny, Pennsylvania. In 1976 the Grand Prior of Europe returned from Malta to his residence in Colorado, where he had originally come to start a hospice in 1970. A strong group developed in Colorado during the ensuing years and in 1986 a General Chapter was called.
An American Grand Priory was formed during the General Chapter and a Lt. Grand Master was elected. The headquarters of the Russian branch of the Order moved to Denver. At the time of this relocation the European Grand Priory, now headquartered in Vienna, chose to come under the jurisdiction of the Grand Priory of America. It is this branch of the Order that directs the Hospice of St. John in Lakewood, a 40-bed hospice founded in 1977 by Fra Paul Prince von Lobkovitz, Duke of Raudnitz, etc., O.S.J.
The Priory of Austria - part of the Grand Priory of Europe - is ecumenical, accepting, members from any recognized Christian church. Members of the Order are men and women called to celebrate life in a more spiritual and honorable way. married or single, our members desire a deeper commitment to their Baptismal vows--- they wish to live under a spiritual Rule of Life.
All members of the Order of St. John realize that all people are brothers and sisters and are therefore responsible for each other. We believe as Knights and Dames that we are bound by the chivalric spirit of "Noblesse Oblige," meaning we are obliged to care for those who cannot care for themselves. We also believe that we are called to follow our Lord, Jesus Christ, and, to live by his teachings, especially the Sermon on the Mount as taught in the Beatitudes.
The eight-pointed white Maltese cross is a reminder to us of the commitment to live by the eight Beatitudes Christ taught. The four Cardinal Virtues are symbolized by the four arms of the cross. The cross of Malta has been the standard of the Knights of Malta for centuries.
As with any Christian community, our first concern is to our prayer life. We then have a responsibility to demonstrate that prayer life with works of mercy and charity. As an outreach of our prayer life we have made a commitment to the service of Christ' s aged, sick and poor. We full fill that commitment by administering to the dying in our hospice program. In addition, Order Members gather for regular worship services, prayer and retreats. As Charles Kingsley, English author and chaplain to Queen Victoria, said:
"Some say that the age of chivalry is past, that the spirit of romance is dead. The age of chivalry is never past so long as there is a wrong left unrighted on earth".