Sovereign Military Order of Malta Western Association-USA

Pilgrimagesthe lourdes pilgrimage program is an annual events wherein the Order of Malta takes severely ill (e.g., cancer patients) to lourdes, france for a 10 day spiritual retreat. All expense are paid for by the Order. Due to covid, there were no lourdes pilgrimages during 2020. During 2021, there were two lourdes pilgrimages. The guadalupe pilgrimage program is an annual event wherein the Order of Malta travels to mexico city to participate with the Order of Malta mexican association to work with families and children in various charities.

Investiture and membershipthe membership and investiture program takes place on a yearly basis. An individual interested in membership must be supported by 2 existing members in good standing within the Order of Malta. Each application is reviewed by the executive committee to see if the candidate is a good fit for the organization. Once they are approved, a 2 day orientation takes place for them to learn of the history, culture and responsibilities of being a member in our organization. Once the candidate is approved by rome they are able to attend the investiture event. Each candidate is then formally invited to be invested in to the Order of Malta in an investiture service and mass each june.

Grantsthe hospitaller program distributes money raised for feeding, clothing and caring for the poor, elderly, and sick. After the hospitaller committee reviews the requests for funding, money is granted to various organizations that submitted their applications. The Order of Malta contributes additional funds over what is raised during their fund raising drive. In addition, individuals sent funds separately requesting the Order to send funds to organizations supported and approved of by the Order. The Order also provides additional money to help support centers built by and supported largely by the Order of Malta within and outside the united states.

Hygiene kit programthe hygiene kit program takes place all year round. Members get together at the location level to put together hygiene kits to distribute to the homeless.