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"The purpose of the Order is the promotion of the glory of God through the sanctification of its Members through the tuitio fidei and obsequium pauperum, especially with the poor and the sick, in service to the Holy Father, in accordance with its ancient traditions." (Constitutional Charter, Article 2).

Members of the Order of Malta say the following prayer daily:

Lord Jesus, thou hast seen fit to enlist me for thy service among the Knights and Dames of Saint John of Jerusalem.

I humbly entreat thee through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin of Philermo, of Saint John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints and blessed of our Order, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order.

Be it mine to practice and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion; be it mine to practice charity towards my neighbors, especially the poor and sick.

Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from the holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem.

Amen.

In addition to the daily prayer, members of the Order are to pray daily "for the Pope, the Church, the Superiors and all the Members of the Order, [and] for Our Lords the Sick and Our Lords the Poor" (Code, Article 88). Members of the First Class and of the Second Class of the Order also pray parts of the Liturgy of the Hours each day. Some members of the Canadian Association join together each week for vespers or night prayer online.