The Order of Merit (; ) is the order of merit of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, established in 1920. It is awarded to recipients who have brought honour to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, promoted Christian values and for charity as defined by the Roman Catholic Church. Unlike Knights or Dames of the Order of Malta (which is a military order of chivalry), those decorated with the Order are not invested in a religious ceremony, do not swear any oath or make any religious commitment. It may therefore be bestowed upon non-Catholics. Conferees include prominent statesmen, such as Presidents Ronald Reagan, who received it while still in office, and George H. W. Bush.
Its grades are grouped in three categories: the Collar, the Cross, and the Medals, including Commander at the Cross level, now rare in the Order of Malta, and has no nobiliary grades, thus being comparable to numerous orders of merit around the world, including the Papal orders, France's Order of National Merit and Britain's Order of the British Empire.
The medals are inscribed with the abbreviated , which translates roughly as Military Order Knight of Merit Well Deserved. By the medieval period both milites (from which derives the word militaris) and equites are terms for knights, even though the original distinction was foot soldiers and cavalry respectively.Order of Malta Prayer Book Published by the Grand Priory of England 2022
Order pro Merito Melitensi
Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi Pro Merito Melitensi Collar – Military Class Pro Merito Melitensi Collar – Civilian Class Single grade, usually bestowed to Heads of State only.
Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi
Military Class Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Grand Officer Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Commander Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Officer Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Civilian Class Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi Grand Officer Cross pro Merito Melitensi Commander Cross pro Merito Melitensi Officer Cross pro Merito Melitensi Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Ecclesiastics Class Grand Cross pro Piis Meritis Melitensi Cross pro Piis Meritis Melitensi
Medal of the Order pro Merito Melitensi
Old style (1920–1960) Gold Medal pro Merito Melitensi Silver Medal pro Merito Melitensi Bronze Medal pro Merito Melitensi
Military Class Gold Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Silver Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi Bronze Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Civilian Class Gold Medal pro Merito Melitensi Silver Medal pro Merito Melitensi Bronze Medal pro Merito Melitensi
The Order pro Merito Melitensi
Classes of the Order pro Merito Melitensi The Order pro Merito Melitensi comprises the following classes: Collar Cross Medal
The Collar pro Merito Melitensi The Collar only has a single grade, but is separated into two divisions, namely "Collar pro Merito Melitensi" for Civilians and "Collar with Swords pro Merito Melitensi" for the Military. The Collar is only awarded to Heads of State.
The Cross pro Merito Melitensi The Cross is bestowed upon both civilians and military personnel, comprising several grades: Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Badge for women) Commander pro Merito Melitensi (with Crown for women) Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Coat of arms for women) Cross pro Merito Melitensi
N.B: these decorations are "with Swords" for serving military and "without Swords" for civilians.
The Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi When awarded to ecclesiastics, it has the same cross as awarded to civilians and military personnel. Nevertheless, this ribbon is black crossed with two thin red lines and comprises only two grades : Grand Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi, Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi.
The Medal pro Merito Melitensi This class has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals (including the corresponding grades with Swords) are grades of the Order within the Medal category and are not external decorations.
Ribbons There are only three different types of ribbons for both the medal and the crosses.
Cross of Merit, EcclesiasticalCross of Merit, CivilCross of Merit, MilitaryRibbonBlack ribbon with thin red stripesWhite ribbon with large red stripesRed ribbon with large white stripes
See also Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Further reading Orders of Knighthood, Awards and the Holy See, by H.E. Cardinale and Peter Bander-van Duren, 3rd ed. 1985
References
External links
Official Website Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the United Kingdom - Order pro Merito Melitensi Two examples for the ribbons of the Order pro merito Melitensi