About the Malta Auxiliary Corps

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Malta Auxiliary Corps?

• The Malta Auxiliary Corps works in association with the Order of Malta whose mission as a lay religious order of the Catholic Church is to care for the sick and poor and bear witness to the Catholic Faith
  

What is the Order of Malta?

• The Order of Malta is a lay religious order of the Roman Catholic Church and is the oldest charitable organization in the world.
• Its members, referred to as Knights, Dames, and Auxiliary are lay volunteers who care for the sick and poor in service to the Catholic Faith.
• There are over 11,000 Knights and Dames working with 80,000 trained volunteers in more than 110 countries around the world.
• The American Association of the Order of Malta collaborates with the two other Order of Malta Associations in the United States - The Federal and The Western Associations
  

What is the Malta Auxiliary Corps?

• Beginning in 2006, the Malta Auxiliary Corps will take on a new presence in the American Association.
• The new "ageless" Malta Auxiliary Corps may help with Malta projects, participate in pilgrimages, and can initiate its own projects and experiences to create a strong and vibrant membership.
• Auxiliaries fully support and participate in all the spiritual and ministerial activities of the Order, as well as their own projects and programs.
  

Who may join the Malta Auxiliary Corps?

• Any practicing Catholic lay person 18 years or older.
• Candidates must be willing and able to commit to the mission of the Order of Malta as expressed in the motto: "Tutio fidei et obsequium pauperum" - Witness of the faith and service to the poor.
  

What are the criteria for joining?

• Auxiliary Corps members are asked to:
• Learn about the history, spirituality, works, and projects and ministries of the Order of Malta.
• Attend area Malta spiritual and educational events.
• Volunteer in Malta works, projects, and ministries.
• Participate in the Malta and Malta Auxiliary Corps sponsored events in the area.
• Consider a lifetime commitment to the Order of Malta by becoming a Knight or Dame.
• Pay a small initiation fee ($100) and annual dues ($50) to support the Auxiliary Corps administration costs.
  

In What Activities are Auxiliaries involved?

• Ministering to the sick in hospitals and clinics
• Feeding the poor in soup kitchens and food distribution centers
• Clothing and sheltering the homeless
• Tending to the elderly
• Mentoring at-risk inner city students
• Staffing day-care centers for poor working mothers
• Providing job placement services for the unemployed
• Assisting migrant workers
• Staffing prison ministry programs
• Sponsoring lectures and conferences on important social and ethical issues
  

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