Order pro Merito Melitensi

Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi

The Order pro Merito Melitensi 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 pro Merito Melitensi 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.

The order comprises three ranks, including Commander, 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 Legion of Honour and Britain's Order of the British Empire.

Order pro Merito Melitensi

• Cross Pro Merito Melitensi.jpg

  Cross pro Merito Melitensi

• Order pro merito Melitensi - Grand Cross - Badge 01.jpg

  Commander pro Merito Melitensi neck decoration

• Grand Cross of the Order of Malta - IMG 4994.JPG

  Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi breast star

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 does only have one single grade, but it has instead 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:

• Knight or Dame Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
• Knight or Dame Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
• Knight or Dame Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Badge for women)
• Knight (or Dame) Commander pro Merito Melitensi (with Crown for women)
• Knight or Dame Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Coat of arms for women)
• Cross (Knight or Dame) 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.

Ribbons

There are only three different types of ribbons for both the medal and the crosses.

Cross of Merit, Ecclesiastical	Cross of Merit, Civil	Cross of Merit, Military
Ribbon
Black ribbon with thin red stripes	White ribbon with large red stripes	Red 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

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