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Order Pro Merito Melitensi

Established in 1920, the Knightly Order pro Merito Melitensi is given in recognition of those activities that have conferred honour and prestige on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It is mainly awarded to non-members of the Order. This Order is awarded regardless of religion, hence those granted it do not automatically become members of the Order of Malta.

The Order pro Merito Melitensi is awarded both by Decree of the Sovereign Council and by motu proprio of the Grand Master. The awards are made on:

  • 2 February, Candlemas
  • 24 June, feast of St. John the Baptist, Patron of the Order
  • 13 October, feast of Blessed Gerard, Founder of the Order.

Excluded from these provisions are the motu proprio awards and those to authorities and officials of the Order of Malta when terminating their responsibilities and offices.

The grades of the Order pro Merito Melitensi are:

  • the Collar
  • the Cross
  • the Medal

The Collar has a single grade divided into two Classes: Collar pro Merito Melitensi (for Civilians) and Collar with Swords pro Merito Melitensi (for the Military). The Collar is normally awarded to Heads of State.

The grades of the Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi for the laity are:

For Civilians:

1 - Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
2 - Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
3 - Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi
4 - Commander pro Merito Melitensi
5 - Officer pro Merito Melitensi
6 - Cross pro Merito Melitensi

For Women:

1 - Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
2 - Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
3 - Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Badge
4 - Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Crown
5 - Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Coat-of-Arms
6 - Cross pro Merito Melitensi

For the Military:

1 - Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
2 - Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
3 - Grand Officer with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
4 - Commander with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
5 - Officer with Swords prop Merito Melitensi
6 - Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi.

The Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi for ecclesiastics has the following grades:
1 - Grand Cross "pro piis meritis" Melitensi
2 - Cross "pro piis meritis" Melitensi

The Medal of the Order pro Merito Melitensi
has three grades:


For Civilians (men and women):

  • Gold Medal
  • Silver Medal
  • Bronze Medal

For the Military:

  • Gold Medal with Swords
  • Silver Medal with Swords
  • Bronze Medal with Swords

The Gold Medal is reserved for those who have assisted the Order of Malta putting their lives at risk.


The Decrees for assignments and promotions in the various grades of the Order pro Merito Melitensi are entered in the General Register of Decrees and their details are transcribed in the Roll of the Decorated. The assignments are published in the Official Bulletin of the Order of Malta.