Knights for Dogs in the framework of the “Orphans for Animal Rescue” international program of Knights of Malta (KMFAP)
 

"You can live without a dog, just not worth it"

On the 16th July 2017, a large-scale dog picnic was held in Törökbálint, Hungary – for the second time – at the animal shelter of the Green Island Animal Protection Association (Zöld Sziget Állatvédő Egyesület), with the sponsorship of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) and in the framework of its Orphans for Animal Rescue (OAR) international program, as well as with the support of IBSSA (International Bodyguard and Security Services Association), IAPA (International Auxiliary Police Association), the Mayor’s Office of the settlement, and the local Roma Self-Government.

 


Important Notice of the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) regarding its admission procedure
 
Dear Dames and Knights,

in order to avoid possible problems and misunderstandings hereby I inform you officially about the followings - in connection with the Procedures of Admission of candidates to knighthood in our Sovereign Order: ...

- the new candidates can pay the Administrative Fee of Admission solely by wire transfer to the official bank account of KMFAP – this is the only way our Order accepts the payments.
About the extent of due payments and the progress of the admission procedure the KMFAP Secretariat gives official information in all cases personally, or by e-mail, and confirms the receipt of payment by sending a copy of the Diploma of Postulant (Postulant means accepted candidate to Knighthood)!

National Day of the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) – 24 June – Ladce, Slovakia
 
The next day – after the Knighthood Ceremony in Bojnice – was the 24th of June, the day of John, celebration of the denominator of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP). Therefore, we thought to organise a visit to Ladce, the pilgrimage place of our Order, which is about a two-hour drive from Bojnice, Slovakia.

31st Ceremony of Investiture of the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) on the 23rd June 2017 in the Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
 
The knighthood ceremony, to this day, has retained its noble traditions, its symbols, the typical Knights’ outfit – dating back for several centuries – also in our changing times. Without tradition, people's lives would be more bleak and rootless. It is an exceptional occasion when guests can gain insight into the solemn moments of the investiture and the mystic world of knightly life that has always been of great concern to the outsiders. To belong to the Order carries the members with legitimate pride – which also imposes an obligation on them – who have earned the knighthood membership for their own human values, individual qualities and merits, and with their generous work for the country's society.

21st Ball of Knights and Bodyguards at Hotel Marriott - Budapest, Hungary
 

In the past few years we could hear a lot about the cooperation of various civilian security companies, organisations and official law enforcement agencies, which has its peak at “Partnership for Security” international professional conferences. 20 years ago the leaders of IBSSA recognised that the system of well-working clubs of the Western world is very much missing from Hungarian social life.

They could enable the members of the various organisations to have informal meetings and establish relationships. Upon this recognition common monthly club days were organised by IBSSA and the security organisations, such as the IAPA, the IPA and law enforcement organisations. And later with the closely related knightly orders, such as KMFAP (Federation of Autonomous Priories of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta), the Sovereign Order of Cyprus , the International Knightly Order of Saint George the Martyr. The success encouraged family picnics, and a few times the organisation of the Ball of Knights and Bodyguards.


30th Jubilee Ceremony of Investiture of the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) between 5-6 May 2017 in Château Bela, Slovakia
 
The Hungarian and Slovakian Grand Priories organised jointly the 30th Jubilee Ceremony of Investiture of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP), for the 11th time in the halls of Chateau Bela in Slovakia between 5-6 May 2017. Knights, Dames, participants and guests arrived from 30 countries of 4 continents to this significant event. According to the international nature of the ceremony the 20 Maltese Postulants and 1 Cyprus Postulant represented 16 countries.

The Knighthood Ceremony of the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) and the Sovereign Order of Cyprus (Knights of Sword and Silence) took place again in the beautiful spot of Chateau Bela, where gorgeous circumstances, intimate atmosphere, great cuisine and courteous service contributed to the high standard of the investiture.

Solemn Investiture of the Lazarus Union (CSLI) in Austria
 

On the 29th April 2017 the yearly investiture ceremony of the Knighthood of Honour of the Lazarus Union (CSLI International) took place in Austria at the Benedictine Monastery Göttweig, which was founded in 1083. Besides many members and friends from Austria lots of international guests (Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Poland…) showed up.

43 Dames and Knights of Honour, 19 Expectants and Postulants, 38 flags and banners, 26 musicians, 34 further CSLI members, Boy Scouts from Furt and Gföhl, friendly orders, comrades of the Veteran’s Association, voluntary fire service, the Federal Army, different emergency organisations, relatives and numerous guests formed the beautiful frame for this investiture conduced by the Grand Master H.E. Senator h.c. Wolfgang Steinhardt.