The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
ORDO MILITARIS ET HOSPITALARIS SANCTI LAZARI HIEROSOLYMITANI
MAGNUS LI MAGISTER, CITRA ET ULTRA MARIA, PRAECEPTOR BOIGNACI
PRINCE FRANÇOIS D'ORLÉANS, COMTE DE DREUX
EMINENTISSIMUS ANTONIUS CARDINALIS KAMBANDA SPIRITUALIS PROTECTOR
The Order of Saint Lazarus is a confraternity of Christian faithful who profess their commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. The three pillars of the Order are charity, spirituality and tradition.
Charity | The fundamental purpose of the Order of Saint Lazarus and its members is to help the poor, the sick, the most in need and those who are not able to care for themselves. This is the priority of its members and every effort is made to unite the whole Order for this objective.
Spirituality | Members of the Order of Saint Lazarus work towards Christian unity. As it is the only ecumenical Order in the world, Christian members pray together, work together, act together and share the spirit of the Christian family, which is so important to this mission.
Tradition | The Order of Saint Lazarus is one of the oldest Orders of Christian chivalry. By respecting this heritage, its members adapt the mission to the challenges of the 21st century. It is because of the past that we can build the future.
Today the Order of Saint Lazarus consists of members from different nationalities, different backgrounds and different religions. In their commitment to the Order they all have one thing in common: the desire to help others in accordance with Christian virtues and chivalry. To achieve this we must:
- Reach out with compassion to those who need our help.
- Open our minds to the reality of the world around us.
- Behave at all times as true and humble Christians.
- Act as model citizens within the society in which we live.
- Serve, without personal ambition, those who are most in need throughout the world.
Battles are no longer with the sword; the modern battle is fought in the struggle against disease, poverty, exclusion and intolerance, by promoting and defending the faith.
Thanks to its members and volunteers, the Order of Saint Lazarus engages in charity work around the world, helping thousands of sick, suffering and the needy. The Order of Saint Lazarus works daily for a better world.
Today, members of the Order of Saint Lazarus can be confident in looking to the future by drawing on almost one thousand years of history. We are the Order of Saint Lazarus: yesterday, today and tomorrow. By living up to the example of Christian morality, we affirm the legitimacy of our actions.
The Order of Saint Lazarus and its members go forward in the name of Almighty God, the Virgin Mary and Saint Lazarus.
MISSION
The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is one of the oldest Orders of Christian Chivalry. Founded in the Holy Land in the 11th century, the Order finds its origins in religious, hospitaller and military traditions, as well as that of chivalry and nobility. Among its members there are lay as well as clerical Knights and Dames, devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity. Members are characterized by a willingness to strive for spiritual perfection within the Catholic Church or their own ecclesial community, and their enthusiastic service of the poor and the sick.
Today the Order of Saint Lazarus is an international charitable organization conducting charitable activities around the world, helping thousands of sick, suffering and the needy.
The Order of Saint Lazarus remains true to its founding principles summarized in the motto “Atavis and Armis”. The Order works to ensure the respect for Christian values and to serve the poor, a principle which is reflected in the volunteer work done by the Knights, Dames and Chaplains within the Order’s humanitarian and charity activities.
The Order of Saint Lazarus has the distinction of being the only Catholic Order of chivalry to welcome non-Catholics; accepting members from other Christian ecclesial communities: Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican.