The Sacra Militia Foundation
Who we are
The Sacra Militia Foundation owes its origin to its forerunner an entity called ‘The Friends of The Palace Armoury’ created some 20 years ago by Maj, Frederick Cauchi Inglott, its objective was to study the military and naval aspects of the Order of St. John.
Sometime later its scope was expanded to include research into other aspects of the History of the Order of St. John apart from its natural military and naval bent, and it was felt that a new entity should be formed in line with its broadened outlook and The Sacra Militia Foundation was founded. A management team was formed and a publishing programme agreed upon. It was decided to issue a yearly journal which proved very popular. Up to now, 17 journals have been issued with contributions both local and overseas. Apart from this journal several other more substantial items were published, i.e. “The Great Siege, Separating Fact from Fiction”, “From the Great Siege to the Battle of Lepanto”. “The Order of St. John from Jerusalem to Malta”, and the most ambitious work to date, a book of 242 pages entitled “The Struggle for Supremacy. The Mediterranean World in 1453 and Beyond”.
In August 2014, the Foundation organised a guided tour to the Island of Rhodes, which was coordinated by Mr Gabriel Farrugia. In recent years, the management’s plans included holding a number of annual public lectures, held at Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta. The Sacra Militia Foundation currently consists of 72 members of whom 8 are life members and is considered as the academic arm of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta (MASMOM: https://www.orderofmalta.int/contacts/malta/).
The Sacra Militia Foundation owes its origin to its forerunner an entity called ‘The Friends of The Palace Armoury’ created some 20 years ago by Maj, Frederick Cauchi Inglott, its objective was to study the military and naval aspects of the Order of St. John.
Sometime later its scope was expanded to include research into other aspects of the History of the Order of St. John apart from its natural military and naval bent, and it was felt that a new entity should be formed in line with its broadened outlook and The Sacra Militia Foundation was founded. A management team was formed and a publishing programme agreed upon. It was decided to issue a yearly journal which proved very popular. Up to now, 17 journals have been issued with contributions both local and overseas. Apart from this journal several other more substantial items were published, i.e. “The Great Siege, Separating Fact from Fiction”, “From the Great Siege to the Battle of Lepanto”. “The Order of St. John from Jerusalem to Malta”, and the most ambitious work to date, a book of 242 pages entitled “The Struggle for Supremacy. The Mediterranean World in 1453 and Beyond”.
In August 2014, the Foundation organised a guided tour to the Island of Rhodes, which was coordinated by Mr Gabriel Farrugia. In recent years, the management’s plans included holding a number of annual public lectures, held at Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta. The Sacra Militia Foundation currently consists of 72 members of whom 8 are life members and is considered as the academic arm of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta (MASMOM: https://www.orderofmalta.int/contacts/malta/).
SOME HISTORY
Founding of the Knights Hospitaller
The birth of the Knights Hospitaller dates back to around 1048. Merchants from the ancient Marine Republic of Amalfi obtained from the Caliph of Egypt the authorisation to build a church, convent, and hospital in Jerusalem, to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or race. The Order of St. John of Jerusalem – the monastic community that ran the hospital for the pilgrims in the Holy Land – became independent under the guidance of its founder, the religious brother Gerard.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Attend one of our events
What we do
Insights & Discussions
We post different content relating to articles and podcasts publicly to explore the historical aspects that occurred during the History of the Order of Saint John. This can be seen in much greater detail by viewing our subscribed content and published physical or e-books.
SOME History
Founding of the Knights Hospitaller
The birth of the Knights Hospitaller dates back to around 1048. Merchants from the ancient Marine Republic of Amalfi obtained from the Caliph of Egypt the authorisation to build a church, convent, and hospital in Jerusalem, to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or race. The Order of St. John of Jerusalem – the monastic community that ran the hospital for the pilgrims in the Holy Land – became independent under the guidance of its founder, the religious brother Gerard.
