The Sovereign Order

Faith, sovereignty and humanitarian service

A Catholic religious order, a subject of international law and one of the world's oldest humanitarian institutions.

Full name

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta is commonly known as the Sovereign Order of Malta or the Order of Malta.

Identity and mission

The Order is a lay religious order of the Catholic Church. Its members and institutions serve people in need without distinction of religion, race or political conviction. Its mission is expressed in the ancient motto Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum: the defence of faith and service to the poor.

A worldwide presence

The Order is organised into six Grand Priories, three Subpriories and 49 National Associations. The map combines these national institutions with separately named relief organisations, volunteer services and charitable foundations in the Order's official contact directory.

World map of the Order of Malta's national institutions, with Europe enlarged. Gold indicates a National Association, red a Grand Priory, blue a Subpriory and green a relief organisation. Stripes combine categories. South Africa is shown in green for the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
Institutions and documented relief organisations of the Order of Malta, as listed on 3 October 2026. Colours indicate the presence of an institution, not exact jurisdictional boundaries or the full extent of the Order's humanitarian work. Green covers separately listed relief bodies, volunteer services and charitable foundations, including international agency headquarters; it is not an exhaustive global inventory. South Africa is represented by the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. Open the full-size map. Source: Order of Malta: National Institutions and official contact directory.

Structure and the South African relief organisation

The Order combines its religious vocation, sovereign status and international humanitarian mission. Its national associations and relief organisations translate that mission into practical service. In South Africa, the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard carries out this relief work through Blessed Gérard's Care Centre and Blessed Gérard's Early Childhood Development Centre.

Diagram showing the Order of Malta, its international and national structures, and the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard with its care and early childhood development centres
The Order of Malta and the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. Select the diagram to open the original PDF.

Sovereignty and neutrality

The Order has a distinctive sovereign status under international law. This enables neutral humanitarian action and diplomatic relations with many states. Such relations are established country by country.

The Order does not presently maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Africa.

Authoritative information

For the Order's constitution, worldwide leadership and current international activities, consult the official international website of the Sovereign Order of Malta.