This is the Official Site of the American Association, U.S.A.

The Order of Malta is a worldwide, lay, religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, which seeks to glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through his or her work with the sick and the poor and defense of the Catholic faith.

There are only three United States Associations established by decree of the Grand Master and vote of the Sovereign Council of the Order headquartered in Rome. The American Association is a separate legal entity and a 501 c 3 not-for profit corporation which is responsible for the day-to-day management and control of its business and affairs. As such, it acts on its own behalf subject to general oversight by the Order of Malta consistent with accepted corporate governance standards and practices.

The American Association, U.S.A., headquartered in New York City, was founded in 1927.

Some of the Organizations Our Members Volunteer at to Help the Sick and the Poor

Medical & Dental Clinic at St. Leo's Catholic Church - Michigan	St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store - Dallas, TX

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PILGRIMAGE FOR LIFE 2014

The Pilgrimage for Life 2014 proceeded despite the blizzard which affected most of the East Coast on January 21. Planes, busses and individual car trips were prudently cancelled or postponed.  Illness felled a few. But God is still in control and Knights and Dames from 8 areas were able to arrive safely in DC.  Events began that evening with 2 activities:  At the Hyatt, Mark Bradford, President of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation, USA, shared with us the history of Dr. Jerome Lejeune, his discovery of the genetic cause of Down’s Syndrome and other genetic disorders,  his unwavering defense of life, and the need for us to continue in its defense.

The Vigil Mass for Life takes place in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception the evening before the March for Life.  The Basilica, with usual seating for 6,400, swells with a congregation of over 20,000 for this Mass.  The procession includes so many Cardinals, Bishops and Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians that it can take 45 minutes for all to enter.  We are honored that our President, Jack Pohrer was seated with the dignitaries “on the altar”.

In addition, the Basilica now looks to the Knights and Dames of Malta to care for people with disabilities prior to and during the Vigil Mass for Life.  We assist in reserving select pews, escorting people to the seating, seat others who arrive independently, and tend to their needs throughout the Mass.  Two Knights and two Dames also accompany the Gift Bearers, chosen from these pilgrims, in bringing the gifts to the altar.  This year’s weather forced us to cover with a skeletal crew rather then the hoped for 14.  Cardinal Sean O’Malley, homilist and celebrant, focused the homily on the Gospel passage of the woman caught in adultery.  He spoke of her fear and shame, and need for compassion and forgiveness. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are called to reach out to women in unexpected pregnancies, or following abortions, with mercy and compassion through His Grace.

The evening ended with food and fellowship of both groups at the hotel.

The 41st March for Life occurred on Wednesday, January 22, the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs Wade.  We began with Mass and luncheon hosted by the Federal Association at the Immaculate Conception Church.  The pastor of the church, Msgr. James Watkins was homilist and celebrant.  Also present was a special replica of Our Lady of Czestochowa (AKA The Black Madonna), specifically “written” and consecrated with a special act of entrustment by Archbishops of Poland to the cause of the defense of life and family. Knights carried the icon to a van for transport to the March.

Despite the sobering need to change our culture into a culture for life, the March for Life proceeded with the enthusiasm and joy of tens of thousands of marchers.  God smiled on us and provided brilliant sunshine to accompany the frigid temperatures (9°F).  Knights escorted the Black Madonna carrying her high on their shoulders.  A banner for her campaign across the US functioned as our crowd breaker.  Our President, Jack Pohrer and the President of the Federal Association, Geoff Gamble, led the group flanked by two large Malta flags. Our Lady of Czestochowa rose high above the crowd.  Knights and Dames surrounded her and shared prayer cards with many other marchers drawn to Our Lady. We stopped briefly between the Supreme Court and Capital Building to offer prayer and ended by singing the Salve Regina. A priest from Poland and group of Polish students sang beautiful  Polish hymns to celebrate the icon.

As we marched on to regroup and share fellowship, other pilgrims continued to visit the icon and pray.

Hot drinks, and soup and sandwiches awaited at a nearby parish.  Msgr Frank Caldwell and 7 seminarians joined us. The storm prohibited the participation of many expected guests including a bus of students from Our Lady of Peace High School (NJ).  A local shelter/food kitchen picked up the resultant leftovers providing us the chance to fulfill our ministry to the poor.

The Pilgrimage for Life provided a unique opportunity to engage each area of ministry stated in our Daily Prayer:  We defended the Faith in our participation in the March for Life; ministered to the sick through the role we play during the Vigil Mass; and we shared food for a meal with the poor.  Given the unfortunate attitude of Western culture, the March for Life is likely to be needed again next year.  We hope for an expanded presence of Knights and Dames from the American and Federal Associations in the Pilgrimage for Life, 2015.  It will occur on January 22, 2015.  Be there.

Additional information can be found at www.marchforlife.org; 

EWTN covered the Vigil Mass and the March:  www.ewtn.com - click on Catholic News at the bottom of the page then follow links they present.

Oceans to Oceans campaign of Our Lady of Czestochowa: 
www.hli.org/hli_campaigns/ocean-ocean-pilgrimage/

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American Association Areas

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Order of Malta Study Center

The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN maintains a microfilm collection of over 16,000 documents and dossiers from Malta, covering the twelfth to the twentieth century. The materials include the Archives of the Knights of Malta, the Cathedral Museum in Mdina, the Archives of the Inquisition, ecclesiastical records of the dioceses of Malta and Gozo, and musical compositions.

The Center sponsors digitization projects to preserve the history of Malta and the Knights of St. John. It acquires antiquarian and modern publications dealing with Malta's history, literature, and culture, in addition to materials pertaining to the Knights of St. John and the history of the Crusades. Visitors to the Center are welcome, and it is possible to order copies of microfilms from its collection.

For further information, please visit the Study Center's website here.

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