Taking and reciting vows as a Knight or Dame of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, is a solemn and meaningful act that signifies commitment to the values, mission, and traditions of the Order. This ancient practice has deep spiritual and historical significance, grounding members in the principles that have guided the Order for centuries.
A Public Declaration of Dedication
Reciting vows publicly demonstrates a personal and collective dedication to the core tenets of the Order—faith, service, and charity. By taking these vows, members affirm their willingness to uphold the ideals of the Order in their daily lives and to serve with honour and humility.
Connection to the Order’s Legacy
The practice of taking vows is rooted in the Order’s origins as a religious and chivalric organisation. Historically, knights and dames pledged themselves to serve the sick, protect the weak, and defend the Christian faith. Today, these vows connect modern members to that enduring legacy, reminding them of the Order’s mission to support those in need and to act as ambassadors of compassion and justice.
A Spiritual Commitment
Vows are also a deeply spiritual act, aligning the individual with the divine principles that underpin the Order’s mission. They echo the words of Christ and the teachings of St. John, calling members to live lives of service, integrity, and love for others. Reciting vows is both a personal act of faith and a collective affirmation of unity within the Order.
Guiding Principles for Service
The vows serve as a compass, guiding knights and dames in their duties and responsibilities. They encourage selflessness, humility, and dedication, providing a moral framework for their work within the Order and in their broader communities. By regularly reciting these vows, members reaffirm their commitment to these principles, strengthening their resolve to live up to the ideals of the Order.
A Bond of Brotherhood and Sisterhood
Taking vows also fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose. It unites members as part of a global community, connected by a common mission and shared values. This bond of brotherhood and sisterhood strengthens the Order’s collective ability to carry out its charitable and humanitarian work.
Reciting vows as a Knight or Dame is far more than a ceremonial tradition; it is a profound act of faith, commitment, and unity. It reflects a promise to live by the ideals of the Order, to serve others selflessly, and to uphold the noble legacy of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem in all aspects of life. These vows are a cornerstone of membership, inspiring members to embody the Order’s mission in their words, actions, and deeds.
In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Upon the True Faith of a Christian, may God witness that I hereby vow and dedicate myself as a servant of Christ and the poor, the first qualification of a true Knight.
I promise to be faithful and loyal to Christ and to be guided by the ideals of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem: to contribute to its glory, protection, prosperity, support and utility.
To combat everything prejudicial to its well-being; never to act contrary to its dignity, but to conduct myself always as a true Knight of Christ: a good Christian and a person of honour. Believing that Christ will grant me a special token of His favour, I therefore, in all humility, charity, and respect agree to join with every sincere and Godly Christian of whatever church, to bring about by prayer and deed the salvation of the Christian world by helping to promote a lasting Christian unity.
I will adorn my Knighthood with true charity, the mother and solid foundation of all virtues.
I will wear on my person the Christian Maltese Cross of eight points, to constantly remind me of my religious vow of always bearing in my heart the Cross of Jesus Christ, adorned with the virtues that attend it.
So help me God.