How to Join Order of Malta

[Murphs10]

I know that you must be sponsored by a current member of the order, but I have yet to meet one in my area. I have long desired to become a member, however without a sponsor it seems I am stuck.

Does anyone know how I can make this happen given this situation?

Thanks

P.S. I am near Ocala Fl

 

[Nimzovik]

Go knock on their door. Hey! What is the worst that could happen?

 

[sparrowhawk28]

I am quite closely connected with the Order (there are a couple of Knights and Dames in my family). You do need to be sponsored by someone who knows you. The best thing to do would probably be to find out if there are any members near you and arrange to talk to them. It’s a beautiful group to be a part of. May God bless you in your endeavours.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I am quite closely connected with the Order (there are a couple of Knights and Dames in my family). You do need to be sponsored by someone who knows you. The best thing to do would probably be to find out if there are any members near you and arrange to talk to them. It’s a beautiful group to be a part of. May God bless you in your endeavours.

Can you give us a sentence or two about what they do, cost, etc?

Thank you!

 

[sparrowhawk28]

You mean, what they do in regards to accepting you as a member?

As far as I know, you need to be nominated by someone. You need to apply with references from your Bishop and from a few personal referees. The Order considers your application and sends it to Rome. It can take some time for the application to be processed. Once you are accepted, you will become a Knight or Dame in a Ceremony of Investiture.

If by “what they do”, you are referring to works of the Order - well, there are many

Costwise, new members need to pay a once-off fee known as “passage money”, which goes to the running and governance of the Order. There is also a yearly financial obligation, though I am unsure as to how much it is.

That’s probably more than a few sentences, hey I hope I could address what you were asking.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Can you find out about the financial obligation, please?

If not, no problem

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Thanks

 

[Joannm]

We have a number of knights of Malta and Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher and they are all very wealthy and give a lot of money to charity. They are heads of business and doctors. I don’t know any average middle class folks in either of these orders.

 

[Ancient1]

Order of Malta is rather exclusive. It’s not like the Knights of Columbus, where they want as many members as possible, a branch in every parish, and draw mainly from lower and middle class Catholics (and are a great organization too, just different). The Order of Malta requires you be sponsored and by someone you know who can vouch for your character. So if you say you don’t know anyone, I don’t see them welcoming you with open arms if you just ring up the nearest chapter. If you’re really keen to join, it will take some effort. Find out where they meet or who they are in your area, and put yourself in a position to get to know a few, for example by going to their parish or volunteering in a charity event they sponsor.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Order of Malta is rather exclusive. It’s not like the Knights of Columbus, where they want as many members as possible, a branch in every parish, and draw mainly from lower and middle class Catholics (and are a great organization too, just different). The Order of Malta requires you be sponsored and by someone you know who can vouch for your character. So if you say you don’t know anyone, I don’t see them welcoming you with open arms if you just ring up the nearest chapter. If you’re really keen to join, it will take some effort. Find out where they meet or who they are in your area, and put yourself in a position to get to know a few, for example by going to their parish or volunteering in a charity event they sponsor.

Seems to me it’s a fine thing. But I suspect K of C is more in my budgetary range. Personality range too, I suspect, though I’m really too busy still to participate in Fourth Degree.

 

[codefro]

Sorry to resurrect this post, but does the Order have a Third Order? I could understand professed knights must come from some bit of prestige, but is there a third order for us commoners?

 

[jimcav]

Sorry to resurrect this post, but does the Order have a Third Order? I could understand professed knights must come from some bit of prestige, but is there a third order for us commoners?

They do have volunteers.

From there website - orderofmalta.int/faq/26466/faq/?lang=en

1. How does one become a volunteer?

Volunteers are most welcome. You should ask the National Association of your country. Please see the section “The Order in the World” on this website for a list of Order organizations in the various countries.