The Holy Order Founded

 

The Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem was founded in 1048 A.D. by a group of devout Catholic laymen from Amalfi, Italy. The Order's initial purpose was the care of the wounds and illnesses of pious Christians making pilgrimages to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Indeed, the first institution of the Order was the Hospital of Saint John the Baptist, located near the Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord Jesus Christ. From its beginning the Order has proudly borne the title of "Guardian of the Poor of Jesus Christ."

The Order of Saint John was named in honor of its patron Saint, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Christ and served Him faithfully, even unto death.

Over the centuries, the monks and sisters of this holy Order of the Hospital generally followed the monastic rule of Saint Augustine. (This has occasionally, and erroneously, led to a convent, hospital or saint of the Order being historically referred to as Augustinian.)