Protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sickMotto of the Sovereign Order of Malta

Keletnémet menekültek Budapesten 1989-ben a zugligeti plébániatemplom kertjében

East German refugees in Budapest in 1989, in the garden of the Zugliget parish church

For more than nine hundred years, this has been the guiding motto of all organisations of the Order of Malta worldwide — a clear purpose and a clear mission. While the founding fathers undoubtedly understood the protection of the faith and the service of the poor differently from how we interpret our mission today, the motto has not lost its relevance. Even today, the protection of the faith remains essential, which we serve by supporting the continuity of Christian communities, by setting an example, and by practising compassionate care.

The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta was established in 1989, in the renewed civil and ecclesiastical freedom following Hungary’s political transition. Shortly after its founding, it became involved in major historical events: first assisting East German refugees, then responding to the Romanian revolution and the Balkan wars. In the years that followed, as the public witnessed tangible expressions of social solidarity, trust in the organisation grew. Government bodies also entrusted the Service with addressing social challenges that could not be fully managed by existing administrative, social, or healthcare systems.

The number of people in need around the world is not decreasing, which requires ever greater effort from us. Our humanitarian and international development work is carried out in line with contemporary expectations and international standards, with a strong emphasis on local implementation — involving and empowering the communities we serve. We believe that assistance must be delivered effectively and responsibly; therefore, our foremost priority is to respond to the real needs of those in need.

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