The Order of Malta was founded in Jerusalem more than 960 years ago.

Today the majority of the knights of Malta belong to the all classes of society. The members of the Order can be defined as Catholic gentlemen animated by altruistic nobility of spirit and behavior.

According to the Constitution Charter, the members of the Order are divided into three classes:

• First Class: belong the Knights of Justice, or Professed Knights, and the Professed Conventual Chaplains who have made religious vows of "poverty, chastity and obedience aspiring to perfection according to the Gospel";
• Second Class: belong the members who by virtue of the Promise of Obedience are obliged to live according to Christian principles and the inspiring principles of the Order;
• Third Class: belong the members who do not profess religious vows or the  Promise, but who live according to the principles of the Church and the Order.