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Order pro Merito Melitensi

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Cross pro Merito Melitensi

The Order pro Merito Melitensi is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta's chivalric order of merit which was established in 1920.

Pro Merito Melitensi is awarded to men and women who have brought honour and prestige to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or actively promoted Christian values or works of charity in the Christian tradition as defined by the Roman Catholic Church. Those decorated are not invested in a religious ceremony as Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta (which is a military order of chivalry); therefore pro Merito Melitensi (sometimes "Melitense") may be bestowed upon non-Catholics. Conferees include prominent statesmen, such as Ronald Reagan (who received it while still in office) and George H.W. Bush.

The Order comprises three ranks (including commendatore or Knight Commander) now rare in the Order of Malta, and has no nobiliary grades, thus being comparable to numerous orders of merit around the world, including the Papal Orders, France's Legion of Honour and Britain's Order of the British Empire.

Unlike Knights or Dames of the Order of Malta, those decorated with Pro Merito Melitensi do not swear any oath or make any religious commitment. In addition to membership of the Order, a Medal is awarded in three classes, namely gold, silver and bronze.

Order pro Merito Melitensi

Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi

Pro Merito Melitensi Collar – Military Class
Pro Merito Melitensi Collar – Civilian Class
Single grade, usually bestowed to Heads of State only.

Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi

Military Class

Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Grand Officer Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Commander Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Officer Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi

Civilian Class – Gentlemen

Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Grand Officer Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Commander Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Officer Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Cross pro Merito Melitensi

Civilian Class – Ladies

  • Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
  • Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
  • Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Badge
  • Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Crown
  • Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Shield
  • Cross pro Merito Melitensi

Ecclesiastics Class

Grand Cross pro Piis Meritis Melitensi
Cross pro Piis Meritis Melitensi

Medal of the Order pro Merito Melitensi

Old style (1920–1960)

Gold Medal pro Merito Melitensi
Silver Medal pro Merito Melitensi
Bronze Medal pro Merito Melitensi

Military Class

Gold Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Silver Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Bronze Medal with Swords pro Merito Melitensi

Civilian Class

Gold Medal pro Merito Melitensi
Silver Medal pro Merito Melitensi
Bronze Medal pro Merito Melitensi

The Order pro Merito Melitensi

Classes of the Order pro Merito Melitensi

The Order pro Merito Melitensi comprises the following classes:

  • the Collar
  • the Cross
  • the Medal

The Collar pro Merito Melitensi

The Collar does only have one single grade, but it has instead two divisions, namely "Collar pro Merito Melitensi" for Civilians and "Collar with Swords pro Merito Melitensi" for the Military. The Collar is only awarded to Heads of State.

The Cross pro Merito Melitensi

The Cross is bestowed upon both civilians and military personnel, comprising several grades:

  • Knight or Dame Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
  • Knight or Dame Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
  • Knight or Dame Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Badge for women)
  • Knight (or Dame) Commander pro Merito Melitensi (with Crown for women)
  • Knight or Dame Officer pro Merito Melitensi (with Coat of arms for women)
  • Cross (Knight or Dame) pro Merito Melitensi

N.B: these decorations are "with Swords" for serving military and "without Swords" for civilians.

The Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi

When awarded to ecclesiastics, it has the same cross as awarded to civilians and military personnel. Nevertheless, this ribbon is black crossed with two thin red lines and comprises only two grades :

  • Grand Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi,
  • Cross "pro piis meritis" pro Merito Melitensi.

The Medal pro Merito Melitensi

This class has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Ribbons

There are only three different types of ribbons for both the medal and the crosses.

Cross of Merit, Ecclesiastical Cross of Merit, Civil Cross of Merit, Military
Ribbon
Black ribbon
with thin red stripes 		White ribbon
with large red stripes 		Red ribbon
with large white stripes

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Order of Merit pro Merito Melitensi.


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