Introduction of candidates
for the dedicated membership in the

Brotherhood
of Blessed Gérard
according to No. 5.1.2. of the statutes.

1. The history of the BBG

• Pre-foundation period
  • Social context of Mandeni
  • The two key events
• Foundation
  • Aim
  • 28.10.1992
• Development
  • Acknowledgement by Bishop & SMOM (english / deutsch / italiano)
  • Projects & their history

2. The nature of the BBG

• Private Association of Christ’s Faithful (FBO)
• Relief Organisation of the SMOM: Order of Malta - Official site (RO)
• Public Benefit Organisation (PBO)
• Community Based Organisation (CBO)
• Non Profit Organisation (NPO)
• Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)

3. The principles of the BBG

• Subsidiariness
• Volunteerism
• Professionalism
• Charity
• Non-discrimination
  • Religion
  • Colour of skin
  • Political Affiliation
  • Social status

4. The legal framework of the BBG

• The Code
  • The historical background
  • The statutes
  • The constitution (public law)

5. The environment and context of the work of the BBG

• Traditional Healers in Zululand

6. The SMOM

• The triple nature of the SMOM as
  • Religious order
  • Subject of international law
    • Humanitarian Diplomacy
    • Bilateral Relations
    • Multilateral Relations
    • Ambassadors at large
  • International Relief Organisation

7. The history of the SMOM

• In the Holy Land:
• The History of the Order of Malta - A film
• 1113 Papal Recognition
• 1113 – The Bull ‘Pie Postulatio Voluntatis’

8. The organisation of the SMOM today

• Order-of-Malta-Constitutional-Charter-and-Code-2023.pdf
• The Grand Magistry and the Sovereign Council
• Government
• The Grand Priories & Sub-Priories and the relations to the Vatican
• The National Associations and their
• Relief Organisations: Humanitarian and Medical Works
• The Diplomatic Relations of the SMOM to other sovereign entities: Diplomatic Activities
• International Organisations
  • The Order’s own organisations
    • Malteser International / Malteser International - Health and Dignity for People in Need
      succeeded ECOM
    • Fondation Ciomal – Fondation Ciomal lutte contre la lèpre
• Cooperation of the SMOM in other International Organisations
  • UN,
  • WHO The Order of Malta at the 78th World Health Assembly - Sovereign Military Order of Malta
  • FAO: FAO - Order of Malta's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Rome
    
  • UNESCO: Home - Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta to UNESCO
    
  • European Union Permanent Mission of the Order of Malta to the European Union
  • African Union The Order of Malta's Permanent Representation to the African Union Commission
  • IOC – Indian Ocean Commission – (Mauritius) The Order of Malta signs Cooperation Agreement with the Indian Ocean Commission
  • IOF – International Organization of La Francophonie – (Paris) Cooperation agreement between La Francophonie and the Sovereign Order of Malta - Sovereign Military Order of Malta
  • PAM – Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean – (Naples) Home - Representation of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
  • SICA – Central American Integration System – (San Salvador) Sovereign Order of Malta and SICA Strengthen Cooperation for Central American Development

9. The Spirituality of the SMOM & BBG

• Spiritual Commitment
• The Rule of the SMOM and its
  • Biblical focus
    • Matthew 5, 1-12 Sermon on the Mount
  • Matthew 25, 31-46  The Sheep and the Goats
  • Luke 10, 25-37 Good Samaritan
• The Saints and Blessed of the SMOM
• The Devotions of the SMOM
  • Our Lady of Phileremos
  • Our Lady Cause of Our Joy
  • St. John the Almoner and St. John the Baptist
  • The SMOM and pilgrimages
    • Theology/Spirituality
    • History:
      Holy Land, Phileremos
    • Present:
      Lourdes, Rome, Assisi, Liesse, Loretto etc.
• The Maltese Cross and its symbolism The eight-pointed cross
  • Development (Amalfi, first documentation)
  • The Beatitudes
  • The Chivalric Virtues
  • The langues The Ancient Languages of the Order
• The motto of the SMOM & BBG „tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum“
  • Origins
  • Interpretation in history
  • Meaning today

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This page was last updated on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 23:00:49