Constitution, Statutes and Regulations of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem - Malta Obedience
Magisterial Decree No. 17 /99
We, FRANCISCO DE BORBON Y ESCASANY, DUQUE DE SEVILLA, GRANDE DE ESPAGNE, 48th PRINCE GRAND MASTER elected of THE MILITARY AND HOSPITALLER ORDER OF SAINT LAZARUS OF JERUSALEM, in the name of God, and of the Virgin and of Saint Lazarus:
In virtue of Our rights and prerogatives, by means of the present Magisterial Decree, We do hereby decree that the Constitution, Statutes and General Regulations of The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem herein contained are hereby approved and are applicable to and in all Jurisdictions of the Order as from the date of the present Decree, from which date all Members and Affiliates of the Order are bound by them.
We entrust Our Grand Chancellor, His Excellency The Chevalier Reginald S.R. Attard, the publication of the said Constitution and Statutes in the English, Spanish and French languages in conformity with the text approved by Us and We also entrust him with the duty of communicating them to all the Heads of Jurisdiction of the Order that may bring the said Constitution and Statutes to the knowledge of all the Members and Affiliates of the Order in all its Jurisdictions and that they may ensure the most faithful compliance with the said Constitution, Statutes and General Regulations.
By this Magisterial Decree all constitutions, statutes and statistics issued prior to this date are cancelled.
Given in
Our Magisterial Seat in Madrid, Spain,
this 8th day of October of the year 1999
Part 1
The Constitution
Chapter 1 - The Constitution
a.
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem is an
international, nonpolitical, ecumenical or nondenominational and independent
nonprofit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) according to the European
Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International
Non-Governmental Organizations.
b. Traditionally it is organized as a Christian Chivalric Order.
c. It is both a Military Order of Mercy and a Hospitaller
Order dedicated to the care and assistance of the poor and the sick. The
Order dedicates itself especially to lepers, always mindful of its origin in the
Holy Land in the early centuries following the life of Christ, and to the
supporting of the Christian faith.
All Members of the Order shall be practicing members of the Christian Faith in good standing within their particular denomination. All Members of the Order shall be committed to upholding with their lives, fortunes and honour, the principles of Christianity, and shall stand united before all men in their determination to live and die following the teaching of Christ and His Holy Church.
a.
It shall be the aim of the Order to preserve and defend the Christian faith,
to guard, assist succor and help the poor, the sick and dying; to promote
and maintain the principles of Christian chivalry; and to follow the teachings
of Christ and His Holy Church in all its works.
b. By its activities in charitable, philanthropic, health and
education fields the Order contributes to the achievement of the aims and
principles of the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the Council of
Europe.
c. The activities of the Order are worldwide with particular
attention to leprosy.
The Sign of the Cross and the invocation "In the name of God, and of the Virgin and of St. Lazarus" is to precede every official act of the Order.
a.
The Cross of the Order shall be the Cross of the Eight
Beatitudes, commonly called the Maltese Cross, green
in colour. |
1.6
BANNER AND ARMS OF THE ORDER
a.
The Banner of the Order is: Argent a Cross vert. |
1.7
BANNER, ENSIGN AND ARMS OF THE GRAND MASTER
a.
The Banner and the Ensign of the Grand Master are: |
a.
The Great Seal of the Order is: The full arms of the Order encircled by
the inscription "S. Ordinis Sancti Lazari in Jerusalem". The seal of
the Order shall be used only by the Grand Chancellor to be affixed to all
diplomas and other documents of highest value.
b. Other Seals as prescribed in the General Regulations (Part 3,
chapter 9, section 2) may be used by Senior Officers in the exercise of their
official duties.
The Motto of the Order is in Latin "Atavis et Armis", translated "By the Example of our Ancestors".
a.
The spiritual (titular) seat of the Order will be the place so
established by the Grand Master, at the moment at Chateau Boigny, France.
b. The administrative seat of the Order will depend on the
residence of the Grand ChanceIlor and will be so designated by the Grand Master.
At the moment the administrative seat of the Order is at Malta.
c. The Grand Custodian should, if possible, also reside in the
same area, unless it should be desired otherwise by the Grand Master.
a.
The Anthem of the Order is the musical composition "Hymn to St.
Lazarus", written and composed by Confr. Peter LaManna, D.Mus., KStG,
CLJ, and dedicated 1986 to the Members of the Order of St. Lazarus.
b. Text and music of the Anthem are enclosed to this Constitution
as an appendix.
1.12 ORGANIZATION OF THE ORDER
a.
The Order shall be divided into a number of national Jurisdictions, depending to
the Grand Chancery and all of equal standing whether calIed by the various names,
e.g. Grand Bailiwick, Grand Priory, Grand Commandery, Bailiwick, Priory or
Commandery, according to custom.
b. A Grand Bailiwick, Grand Priory or Grand Commandery will
normally be subdivided into suitable smaller jurisdictions called Commanderies,
Sub-Commanderies or Delegations, but such have no independent standing outside
of their Grand Bailiwicks, Grand Priories or Grand Commanderies.
c. There shall be no distinction between (Grand) Bailiwicks,
(Grand) Priories and (Grand) Commanderies as these terms have historically been
used in the Order except as provided herein.
d. All Jurisdictions called Bailiwick, Priory or Commandery are by
nature the same, and the foregoing terms may be used interchangeably as best
suits the requirements of the local Jurisdiction.
e. The terms Grand Bailiwick and Grand Priory may also be
interchangeable as best suits the requirements of the local Jurisdiction, but
those terms are normally limited to Jurisdictions which are divided internally
into Commanderies or Delegations as sub-jurisdictions of the national one, or
which have within their geographic boundaries one or more Hereditary
Commanderies, notwithstanding the fact that the latter do not depend from the
local Jurisdiction, but directly from the Grand Master.
f. Hereditary Commanderies depend directly from the Grand Master,
are installed by him and are not subject to the local Jurisdictions within whose
geographic territory they exist, but all communication to the Grand Master will
be passed through the Grand Chancery.
The official languages of the Order are English, Spanish and French in Europe and English and Spanish in the Americas. In the event of controversy the English version shall prevail.
Chapter 2 - Membership of the Order
a.
Every person proposed for admission into the Order shall be a practicing member
of the Christian faith and shall be of sound mind and of such means and position
as will enable her or him to live honourably and to observe fully and freely the
laws and decrees of the Order. Every candidate for admission into the Order,
called Postulant, must be known to two Knights, or one Knight and two Commanders,
or one Knight and one Commander and two Officers who must know the candidate
personally and sponsor him for admission to the Order.
b. Each Postulant must prove that he is a person of irreproachable
conduct, honour and integrity, and if he is married, that the contract of
marriage into which he had entered is perfectly honourable and is valid in
accordance with the laws or regulations of their particular Christian
denomination.
c. Each Postulant must complete an application in writing in a
form prescribed by the Grand Chancery and must submit for review a curriculum
vitae and a certificate from his Church showing he is in good standing, or with
a copy of his Baptismal Certificate.
a.
Each Postulant must submit all documentation required by part 2, chapter 7,
section 1, to the Admissions Commission of his Jurisdiction, which must approve
the candidate. Following such approval the Admissions Commission of the local
Jurisdiction shall transmit the application together with its recommendations
via the appropriate officers of the Jurisdiction concerned to the Grand Chancery.
b. The Admissions Commission of the Order shall decide upon the
admission, the rank and the category, being guided as appropriate by the
recommendations of the local jurisdictional Admissions Commission, and shall
transmit the application, if approved, together with its decision to the Grand
Master, who shall decide upon the admission of the postulant and confirm rank
and category. The decision of the Grand Master is final and not subject to any
appeal. The Grand Master may delegate such responsibility to the Grand
Chancellor.
a. From the most junior to the most senior the ranks in the Order are:
Order’s Standard |
International Standard |
Member (MLJ) |
Knight/Dame |
Officer (OLJ) |
Officer |
Commander (CLJ) |
Commander |
Knight or Dame of Grace (KLJ/DLJ) |
Grand Officer (of Grace) |
Knight or Dame of Justice (KLJ/DLJ) |
Grand Officer (of Justice) |
Knight or Dame Commander of Grace (KCLJ/DCLJ) |
Grand Commander (of Grace) |
Knight or Dame Commander of Justice (KCLJ/DCLJ) |
Grand Commander (of Justice) |
Knight or Dame Grand Cross of Grace (GCLJ/DGCLJ) |
Grand Cross (of Grace) |
Knight or Dame Grand Cross of Justice (GCLJ/DGCLJ) |
Grand Cross (of Justice) |
b. Whilst the above system of ranks is common to most nations, there are countries where the system varies considerably by custom and law. In such cases application should be made to the Grand Master for a variation decree quoting the principle outline of the system they wish to adopt and recommending rates of passage money, oblations and promotion fees.
a.
All priests and ministers of Christian faith are admitted as ecclesiastical
Members (Chaplains of the Order). Postulants who are priests or ministers
must submit, in addition, documentation required by chapter 2, section 1, proof
from the appropriate ecclesiastical superior of the candidate attesting to the
fact that the candidate has been validly ordained and is in good standing as a
minister or priest of his particular denomination.
b. The ranks of the Clergy are in order from junior to senior;
Assistant Chaplain (AChLJ) × Equivalent rank OLJØ
Chaplain (ChLJ) × Equivalent rank CLJØ
Senior Chaplain (SChLJ) × Equivalent rank KLJ or KCLJØ
Ecclesiastical Grand Cross Chaplain or Chaplain Prelate (EGCLJ) × Equivalent rank GCLJØ
c. From the various clerical Members the Grand Master may appoint a Senior Spiritual Grand Prior for the Order.
a.
There are two categories for all admissions to the Order in the rank of Knight
or above, these being of Grace or of Justice.
b. Normally no Postulant shall be admitted to the Order in the
category of Justice unless, as a minimum requirement, he shall have proved
hereditary nobility from each of his four grandparents, or, when the paternal
line alone is used, from his paternal great-grandfather. Each Jurisdiction
within the Order may establish its own criteria for admission in the category of
Justice in accordance with the custom and practice of its nation, which criteria
shall be approved by the Grand Master and promulgated by the Grand Chancellor.
c. Members admitted in the category of Justice are entitled to
wear the Order’s Cross of Justice.
d. Those members who are unable to furnish proof of hereditary
nobility in accordance with this will always be admitted in the category of
Grace.
2.6 PAYMENT OF OBLATIONS AND PASSAGE FEES
a.
It shall be a requirement of membership in the Order that each Member pay such
oblations and passage fees as may properly from time to time be assessed by the
Grand Chancery. Until such payments are made the membership or rank acquired on
promotion shall not become effective. All fees must be paid directly to the
national Jurisdiction, from Members "in gremio religionis" to the
Grand Chancery.
b. For good cause shown the Heads of the various Jurisdictions
within the Order, with the approval of the Grand Chancery, may suspend or remit
the requirements of this section in individual cases.
Except in those cases where the Grand Master shall prove otherwise by decree, and in the case of Postulants claiming the right to admission by reason of hereditary right, no Postulant shall be admitted to the Order unless he shall have attained the age of twenty one years, at the time of his investiture.
2.8 HEREDITARY ADMISSION OF ISSUE OF MEMBERS
a.
The sons and daughters of Members may, after reaching the age of eighteen
years, apply for membership in the Order by reason of hereditary right. Upon
satisfying himself that such Postulant is otherwise qualified for admission, the
Grand Master shall admit the Postulant as a Member, or in such higher rank as
the Grand Master may deem appropriate in the circumstances of the particular
case.
b. The sons and daughters of Knights (Dames) of Justice admitted
by reason of hereditary right shall, upon obtaining the rank of Knight or Dame,
prove anew the claim to category of Justice, or, failing such proof, be admitted
in the category of Grace.
a.
The Grand Master is the sole authority for investing Members on entry, on
promotion or receipt of an award. He may delegate such authority to High
Officers to act on his behalf and in such cases investing Officers may invest to
one rank below that which they hold.
b. When possible all investitures not carried out by the Grand
Master or his personal representative or by the Grand Chancellor will be carried
out by a Member of the Supreme Council or a High Officer of another Jurisdiction.
The Grand Chancellor is to be given eight weeks notice of the wish to hold an
investiture and in the absence of the Grand Master or his representative if he
himself is unable to attend, he will arrange for a suitable lnvesting Officer to
attend or delegate approval to the Head of Jurisdiction to act accordingly.
2.10 RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT
a.
All Members of the rank of Commander and below may resign. Those senior will be
placed "in gremio religionis" on giving up duties or responsibilities
in the Order.
b. All Members of the Order who cease to be Christian shall ipso
facto cease to belong to the Order. Upon regaining his status as a Christian,
such former Member may petition the Grand Master for reinstatement in the Order
via his national Jurisdiction, and upon a showing of good cause and with the
approval of the Grand Master he may be so instated.
c. Resigned Members may not wear the insignia nor the uniform of
the Order. It is desirable that the insignia should be returned to the Head of
Jurisdiction.
a.
Members may be expelled from the Order should they transgress the aims and
objects of the Order. Such application will be made by the Grand Chancellor to
the Grand Master, except Commanders and below who may be expelled by the Grand
Chancellor.
b. Members being at least three years on the inactive list may be
expelled from the Order by the Grand Chancellor on written request of the Head
of Jurisdiction.
c. Expelled Members are not to wear the insignia nor the uniform
of the Order. They should return their insignia to the Head of Jurisdiction.
No Member may use, in the course of his duties, any title, award or rank that has not the authority of his Head of State. Manorial and such titles may not be used. In any doubt the matter should be referred to the Grand Chancellor.
Chapter 3 - The Grand Master
a.
The Grand Master is the Head of the Order and to him, upon taking
the oath as Grand Master, is delegated all power and authority of the Chapter
General. The Grand Master is elected for life by the Chapter General; he must be
a Member of the Order before his election and he should be a member of a
reigning or former reigning family.
b. Before being invested as Head of the Order, the Grand Master
shall take the following oath in the presence of the Chapter General as convened
for the election or before the Supreme Council:
"I do solemnly promise before Almighty God
to honour, uphold and observe at all times His Holy Commandments, and to ensure
that they may be upheld, venerated, and observed as far as that may lie within
my power; to administer and govern The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint
Lazarus of Jerusalem loyally and faithfully as becomes the duty and dignity of
the Grand Master; and to uphold the Constitution, laws and custom of the Order,
and to ensure that the same are upheld and observed by all members of the Order;
So Help Me God."
c. According to ancient traditions the
Grand Master is styled as "H.R.H. Prince Grand Master".
3.2 APPOINTMENT OF HIGH OFFICERS
a.
The Grand Master shall appoint all members of the Government of the Order.
b. To facilitate the conduct of the affairs and work of the Order,
the Grand Master may, in his discretion and subject to such limitations as he
may impose, delegate in such manner as he deems fit any of his powers or
authority to any other Grand Officer or other officer of the Order as he may
specify.
a.
The Grand Master shall be the only authority to admit Members of the Order and
for confirming promotions and awards of merit. He may, however, delegate such
authority to the Grand Chancellor or to another member of the Supreme Council.
b. All Members of the Order appointed to any office or dignity
within the Order by the Grand Master shall serve at the pleasure of the Grand
Master.
3.4 VACANCY OF THE GRAND MASTERSHIP
a.
If a Coadjutor has been appointed with the right of succession the Supreme
Council will immediately determine, the Coadjutor not being present, whether
there is, in its opinion, any reason of sufficient weight to require the
convening of the Chapter General so that it either confirms the right of
succession of the Coadjutor or proceed to the election of a Grand Master.
b. Should there be no such reason the Supreme Council will
proclaim the Coadjutor Grand Master upon his taking the oath provided for in
chapter 3, section 1b of this Constitution.
c. Should the Grand Mastership become vacant and the Coadjutor for
any reason not assume the provisional Grand Mastership, the Order shall be
governed by a Grand Vicar vested with the prerogatives of the Grand
Mastership but without being entitled to the external pomp and honours.
d. The Grand Vicar shall be appointed by the Chapter General but,
if circumstances have not permitted to convene, then and only then by the
Supreme Council.
3.5 STATUTES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ORDER
The Grand Master shall promulgate such Statutes for the Government of the Order as he may, either in his absolute discretion, or with the advice of the Supreme Council, deem necessary and advisable.
The uniforms, insignia and special armorial bearings of Members of the Order shall be as prescribed by the Grand Master and published by Statute and General Regulations.
a.
The Grand Collar is a high honour and a mark of great distinction
and gratitude from the Grand Master. |
Chapter 4 - The Coadjutor
The Coadjutor is the first dignitary of the Order after the Grand Master. He shall preside over the Executive Council of the Order and he takes the Grand Master's place when the Grand Master is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of his office. In the event of the death or abdication of the Grand Master, the Coadjutor shall become provisional Grand Master until the Chapter General elects a successor to the Grand Master.
The Coadjutor shall be appointed by the Grand Master for life, with the consent of the Supreme Council. He may, with the consent of a Chapter General, be appointed with the right of sudden succession.
Chapter 5 - Government of the Order
a. The Government of the Order will consist of:
The Chapter General
The Grand Magisterial Council
The Supreme Council
The Executive Council
Grand Secretaries and Heads of Jurisdiction
b.
All appointments to the Government of the Order will be at the discretion of the
Grand Master, and will be for life, but serve at the pleasure of the Grand
Master.
c. All correspondence between Heads of Jurisdiction and the Grand
Master relating to the Order shall be channelled through the Grand Chancery.
d. All members of the Government of the Order other than
Hereditary Commanders will retire at the age of eighty years, when they must
offer their resignation. They may apply to continue for a period of two years
followed by a second such period at the pleasure of the Grand Master.
All correspondence between any Member of the Order whether a member of the Supreme Council, Heads of Jurisdiction or otherwise, without exception, and the Grand Master in relation with the Order will be channelled through the Grand Chancery. Further on such person seeking an interview with the Grand Master on matters relating to the Order will inform the Grand Chancellor first and furnish him with a memoir giving the points he wishes to raise with the Grand Master.
a.
The supreme governing body and repository of all power in the Order is the
Chapter General. The delegation of this power belongs permanently absolutely and
irrevocably in the Grand Master. The Chapter General is composed of all Members
of the Order both lay and clerical. The Chapter General shall be convened by the
Grand Chancellor upon order of the Supreme Council for the purpose of electing
the Grand Master and for the confirmation of the appointment of a Coadjutor with
right of succession. This is a right that has been exclusively theirs from
remotest antiquity. The Chapter General may also be convened by the Grand Master
whenever the Grand Master deems it to be in the interests of the Order.
b. The right to vote at Chapters General and all other meetings
shall be restricted to Jurisdictions and Members from the rank of Commander and
higher, in good financial standing vis-a-vis of the Government of the Order. Any
exceptions must be approved by the Grand Master.
c. When convening the Chapter General, the Grand Chancellor will
send a summons to all Heads of Jurisdiction setting out the reasons for the
Chapter General and giving a clear exposition of each and every item that is for
consideration and quoting the official dates of the Chapter General.
d. On receipt of the summons the Heads of each Jurisdiction will
forward to the Grand Chancellor a list of all members of his Jurisdiction fully
paid up on the dates quoted. Any such list not received within six weeks of the
dates quoted will be declared void. The Grand Chancellor will on receipt of such
lists send the Heads of Jurisdictions sufficient voting papers to cover the list
of paid up members.
e. Heads of Jurisdiction will distribute voting papers and
subsequently collect back same, put them in a sealed envelope and forward to the
Grand Chancery together with (if not already sent) monies due to the Grand
Chancery based on paid up voting members. Failure to pay up fees will cause all
the Jurisdiction votes to be declared void.
f. Members of the Order "in gremio religionis" will be
circulated by the Grand Chancellor.
a.
The Grand Magisterial Council will normally be held every two years (at least
every three years) and will be summoned by the Grand Chancellor upon the order
of the Grand Master.
b. The agenda of the Grand Magisterial Council Meeting will be
prepared by the Grand Chancellor.
c. The Council Meeting will consist of the Grand Master, the
Coadjutor and all Members appointed to the Government of the Order.
d. All Members and Affiliates of the Order may attend its meetings
as observers and may attend all functions held in connection with a Council
meeting.
a. The Supreme Council shall consist of:
The Grand Master
The Coadjutor
President of the Supreme Council
Grand Chancellor
Grand Custodian
Grand Legal General (Grand Justiciar)
Grand Hospitaller
Grand Capitular
Keeper of the Privy Seal
Grand Archivist
b. The following seats are to remain part of the Supreme Council for the time being but subject to natural wastage and shall not be replaced:, unless the Grand Master will decide otherwise
Keeper of the Seal
Grand Almoner
Grand Marshall
The Cross Bearer
c. The following have for some time been inactive and vacant. They will continue that way at the discretion of the Grand Master:
Grand Commander
Grand Inquisitor
Grand Registrar
Herald Principal
Grand Genealogist
Principal Vice Chancellor
d.
The Grand Master as advised by the Grand Chancellor may keep seats in the
Supreme Council vacant or to fill them from time to time for a fixed period of
time.
e. The Grand Custodian of Insignia, the Judge of Arms and the
Referendary do not form part of the Supreme Council, but are appointed as Grand
Secretaries there to and are directly under the control of the Grand Chancellor
who will submit an annual report of their activities to the Executive Council.
f. Any member of the Supreme Council who resigns his Grand Office
or becomes incapable of fulfilling the duties required of him as a member of the
Supreme Council shall be removed from that Council by decree of the Grand Master.
g. A member of the Supreme Council who fails to attend a Supreme
Council Meeting for two consecutive times unless "force majeure" (which
should be specified) shall forfeit his seat forthwith. No proxy is permissible
and presence must be in person. Members of the Supreme Council whose service is
terminated for any reason whatsoever may be appointed Supreme Council Emeritus
or not at the discretion of the Grand Master.
h. No member of the Supreme Council may hold two appointments on
the Council at the same time.
i. The quorum for a Supreme Council meeting shall be not less than
six members including the Grand Master or the Coadjutor. Should a quorum of six
members not be reached, the meeting is proceeded with after thirty minutes when
those present will form a quorum providing that either the Grand Master or the
Coadjutor is present. If neither of these high dignitaries is present, the
meeting will be proceeded with under the chairmanship of the senior member
present who will present a report to the Grand Master.
a. The Executive Council will consist of:
Coadjutor
President of the Supreme Council
Grand Chancellor
Grand Custodian
Keeper of the Privy Seal
b.
The Coadjutor shall be the Chairman of the Executive Council.
c. The Executive Council shall meet at least once every calendar
year and/or at discretion of the Grand Master in order to examine the affairs
and accounts of the Order in general and report therewith to the Grand Master.
The Executive Council shall also discuss, advise and assist the Grand Master in
the execution of matters of policy.
d. The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Council shall not be
less than three members.
5.7 DUTIES OF SENIOR HIGH OFFICERS AND GRAND SECRETARIES
Their relative duties shall be:
President
of the Supreme Council:
To call Supreme Council meetings at least every two years to determine and
ascertain progress of the Order in general and that the other members of the
Supreme Council are doing their work as directed by the Executive Council.
To call a meeting of the Executive Council once every calendar year and/or
at the discretion of the Grand Master.
Grand
Chancellor:
Administration,
control, external relations, membership discipline, promotions, Awards of
Merit and the control of those "in gremio religionis". The Grand
Chancellor reports directly to the Grand Master.
Grand
Custodian:
To work in very
close collaboration with the Grand Chancellor and reporting directly to the
Executive Council, through the Grand Chancellor, who will make certain that
the accounts are duly audited.
Grand
Legal General (Grand Justiciar):
To advise on legal matters and assist any Jurisdiction worldwide in its
legal problems.
Keeper
of the Privy Seal:
To advise the Grand
Chancellor.
Judge
of Arms:
To be responsible for the administration of all matters concerning heraldic
arms within the Order, subject to the approbation of the Grand Chancery.
Grand
Custodian of Insignia:
Stockholding and
distribution of all kinds of insignia and other items of the Order, subject
to the approbation of the Grand Chancery.
a.
Grand Magisterial Decrees regarding membership of the Supreme Council must be
signed by: Grand Master, President of the Supreme Council, Grand Chancellor and
Referendary.
b. All other Grand Magisterial Decrees and Diplomas in respect of
Heads of Jurisdiction and membership of the Order and matters relating to
administration matters must be signed by: Grand Master, Grand Chancellor or one
member of the Supreme Council and the Referendary.
c. In all cases unless the above documents bear the signatures
indicated, they shall be declared null and void.
a.
The Order is divided into a number of Jurisdictions that vary in name but all
are equal in rank and status. They form part of the Government of the Order and
are commanded by Grand Bailiffs, Grand Priors, Grand Commanders, Bailiffs,
Priors, Commanders, Delegates and Hereditary Commanders.
b. Jurisdictions may in turn be divided into dependant
sub-jurisdictions called Commanderies or Delegations, but such are always
subject to their Head of Jurisdiction.
c. A local Jurisdiction in the process of forming will be
designated a Delegation and it takes its place after all other sub-jurisdictions.
d. There shall be no distinction between Bailiwicks and Priories,
Grand Bailiwicks and Grand Priories and Grand Commanderies as these terms have
historically been used in the Order except as provided herein. All Jurisdictions
called Bailiwicks, Priories or Commanderies are by nature the same, and the
foregoing terms may be used interchangeably as best suits the requirements of
the local jurisdiction. The terms Grand Bailiwicks and Grand Priories may also
be interchangeable as best suits the requirements of the local jurisdiction, but
those terms are normally limited to jurisdictions which are divided internally
into Commanderies or Delegations and sub-jurisdictions of the national one, or
which have within their geographic boundaries one or more Hereditary
Commanderies, notwithstanding the fact the latter do not depend from the local
Grand Bailiwick or Grand Priory, but directly from the Grand Master.
e. Heads of Jurisdiction, duly appointed and approved, are acting
as the direct representatives of the Order's Government. They are the only ones
responsible for all matters and activities, official and unofficial, for
finances and membership within their national Jurisdiction as well as for its
depending sub-jurisdictions, according to the Constitution and Statutes of the
Order. They may delegate as necessary to their deputy and Chancellor.
f. Heads of Jurisdictions may appoint from suitable Members a
Receiver-General, Hospitaller and Almoner and such additional local officers as
may be required. They may appoint similar such officers for sub-jurisdictions
under their control, including their heads, or they may delegate such power to
the heads of the sub-jurisdictions.
g. Heads of Jurisdictions may appoint from the various clerical
Members a Spiritual Prior.
h. On a change of Head of Jurisdiction or sub-jurisdiction all
officers of such are subject to re-appointment. They hold their appointment at
the pleasure of the Head of their Jurisdiction.
i. Sub-jurisdictions do not form part of the Government of the
Order, but all officers of such will retire on similar terms and conditions as
members of the Government of the Order. Any extension being granted by the Head
of Jurisdictions.
j. Each Jurisdiction should possess a national flag and an Order
flag of same size and material, a Processional Cross (Maltese Cross), a
ceremonial sword, and some green velvet cushions for carrying the sword and
decorations.
a.
According to ancient customs the following traditional Hereditary Commanderies
are known, installed centuries ago, but not at all times active: Boigny (near
Orleans; France), Burton Lazar (England), de la Motte des Courtils (France),
Saint Francois de Bailleu (France), Askely-Kloster (Sweden) and some others.
b. All other Hereditary Commanderies existing today have been
installed during the last two decades by the late Grand Master, D. Francisco de
Borbon y de Borbon, and are known as new Hereditary Commanderies.
c. According to ancient customs new Hereditary Commanderies are
limited in their number of Members and of these more than 50 percent must belong
to the family of the petitioner and first appointed Hereditary Commander.
d. Hereditary Commanders may appoint, with written approval of the
Grand Chancellor, from suitable Members only one deputy (Vice-Commander) and one
Chancellor.
e. The installation of a new Hereditary Commandery is at the
discretion of the Grand Master on written petition only. This petition must
include the certified will of the petitioner to dedicate a building (house,
church or chapel) together with appropriate land to the Order, the proposed name
of the Hereditary Commandery, and the consent of the Head of the local
Jurisdiction (if applicable). This petition has to be channeled through the
Grand Chancery to the Grand Master.
f. If the dedicated building and/or land is lost for the Order’s
use, the Hereditary Commandery will be revoked.
g. In the case of death or retirement of a Hereditary Commander
the assembly of all Members, belonging to the family of the Hereditary Commander,
must elect a successor and forward their proposal to the Grand Chancellor. The
new Hereditary Commander will be appointed by the Grand Master with Magisterial
Decree.
Part 2
Statutes
Chapter 6 - Administration
a.
All statutes and decrees of the Central Government of the Order, and of the
Grand Master, shall be promulgated through the office of the Grand Chancellor,
who shall forward copies of each such statute or decree to the Head of each
Jurisdiction within the Order, and to such additional persons within the Order
as may be required to ensure full distribution of such statute or decree. lt
shall be the responsibility of each Jurisdiction within the Order to establish
procedures for such jurisdiction which shall ensure that each Member of the
Order in that Jurisdiction receives notice of each statute or decree
promulgated.
b. All orders emanating from the Grand Master, whether issued
direct or through the Coadjutor, shall be promulgated through the Grand
Chancery.
c. No Jurisdiction within the Order shall without the prior
written approval of the Grand Master or the Central Government of the Order
solicit, circularise or otherwise contact the Members and Affiliates of any
other subordinate Jurisdiction within the Order on any matter dealing with the
Order, in the absence of the written consent of the Head of the subordinate
Jurisdiction whose Members are to be contacted. Where consent has been given to
such contact by the Head of the Jurisdiction whose Members are to be contacted,
the Head of the Jurisdiction making the contact shall report in writing to the
Grand Chancery the purpose for such contact. Nothing in this section shall be
construed as prohibiting the communication between officers or individual
members of different Jurisdictions.
d. All voting within the Order shall be in person. No written
proxy shall be recognised except in the case of Heads of Jurisdictions each of
whom has a seat on the Grand Magisterial Council. When any of such officers is
unable to attend a meeting of the Grand MagisteriaI Council he may appoint in
writing a proxy who may attend and vote in his place and stead.
6.2 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCES
a.
The year of the Order will be 1st January to 31st December
annually; the financial year will be the same.
b. An annual report covering the following will be submitted to
the Grand Chancery to reach it by 31st March and will be accompanied
by all payments due. All accounts will be audited by a qualified and independent
auditor:
Audited annual accounts of the Jurisdiction and those of relative sub-jurisdictions.
The annual report will cover all work and activities within the Jurisdiction and in particular hospitaller work, collection for charity, drugs etc. collected.
The annual report should include members by ranks at the beginning and at the end of the year. Number of postulants entered by ranks granted, that of promotions by number and ranks, names of any member who has resigned or died.
c.
On all annual oblations Jurisdictions will retain the approved amount and remit
the balance to the Grand Chancery by the 30th April.
d. On passage money (entry fees) Jurisdictions will retain the
approved amount and remit the balance to the Grand Chancery with the
applications to join.
e. On all promotions Jurisdictions will remit the amount in full
to the Grand Chancery with the application for promotion.
f. On chapter 6, section 2 d and e above no approval will be given
without receipt of the appropriate fees.
g. Donations may be retained in full by the national
Jurisdictions.
h. If sub-jurisdictions are established depending to a local
Jurisdiction, all fees and annual oblations have to be paid directly to the
local Jurisdiction.
i. The approved amount for retention is for administrative
purposes and each Jurisdiction will settle the amount between Jurisdictions and
sub-jurisdictions itself.
Heads of Jurisdictions may make statutes for the good administration of their Jurisdiction but such statute may not contain any authority that disagrees with the decrees and statutes of the Order which will always be the main ruling authority.
6.4 COMPLAlNTS AGAlNST SENIOR OFFICERS
a.
Where a subordinate officer has a complaint against his superior officer he may
complain to higher authority only through that officer; he must also give the
superior officer of who he makes complaints a copy of the letter he wishes to
have transmitted to higher authority.
b. A senior officer may not receive direct the complaint of a
junior officer about that officer's superior, who is junior to the said higher
ranking officer. If he receives such a complaint he is duty bound to return it
to the junior officer concerned, while at the same time making known to the
person who is the subject of the complaint, the action taken and the nature of
the complaint.
Chapter 7 - Membership Regulations
7.1 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHlP
a.
Every applicant for membership of the Order shall submit his application in
duplicate through his local (national) Jurisdiction on forms provided by the
Order. Applications shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the
applicant’s Baptismal Certificate and other documents as specified on the
application form.
b. One copy of the application and a certified copy of the
Baptismal Certificate will be submitted to the Grand Chancellor, duly signed and
sealed by the senior officers of the Jurisdiction.
7.2 MEMBERSHIP IN THE CATEGORY OF JUSTICE
a.
Applicants for the category of Justice shall submit their arms and a sworn
petition listing each of the applicants' ascendants to that ascendant whose
nobility and status can be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Each
generation listed in the petition shall be supported by satisfactory proof, and
shall show the dates and places of birth, marriage and death, where applicable,
of the persons named.
b. Each Jurisdiction within the Order shall establish its own
criteria for admission in the category of Justice and shall file with the Grand
Chancellor a copy of such criteria, which must meet the minimum requirements and
be approved by the Grand Master.
c. According to ancient traditions Ecclesiastical Members of the
Order holding the rank of a Cardinal within the Holy Roman Catholic Church may
be admitted in the category of Justice, as they are by protocol known as
"Princes of the Roman Catholic Church".
d. The Cross of Justice gives no particular quality to a Knight or
Dame since all are equal; it is a simple symbol of a tradition and reminds of
what the Order was throughout its ancient history.
a.
Women may be admitted to the Order in like manner to men. In order that there
shall be no distinction between the sexes, women shall be accorded the same
rights and privileges and shall be subject to the same rules as their male
counterparts in the Order. With the rank of Dame or higher the Military Trophy
above the Cross is replaced by a wreath of Laurel and Oak sprigs in green enamel
with a white enameled "SLJ" monogram in the centre.
b. At times it may be desirable to grant wives the same rank as
their husbands and vice-versa, granted on the basis of motu proprio by the Grand
Master.
c. Mmembership in the Order is for life.
d. Those Members who fail to participate in the hospitaller,
ecumenical, or other good works of the Order, and who fail to pay their
oblations shall be transferred to the list of inactive members. Each
Jurisdiction shall review its membership list annually and report to the Grand
Chancery the names of those Members transferred to the inactive list pursuant to
this section. Such will be included in the yearly report of the Jurisdiction.
Inactive members will no longer be asked to contribute to the work of the Order,
and will not be given notice of any assemblies of the Order. Inactive members
may wear the insignia and uniform of the Order on suitable occasions where
social custom demands the wearing of such. Being at least three years inactive
Members may be expelled on demand of the Head of Jurisdiction by the Grand
Chancery according to chapter 2, section 11.
e. Inactive Members may be transferred to the active list upon
petitioning the Grand Chancery stating the reasons for requesting such transfer
and submitting a certificate from the Receiver General of the national
Jurisdiction involved that the member has paid all his oblations to date since
his last payment before being placed on the inactive list.
f. All Members wishing to resign or retire must inform the Head of
Jurisdiction by 1st November failing which they may be liable for the
following year's oblation.
g. When for reasons which must be duly specified by the Member and
approved by the Grand Master, a Member cannot or does not wish to form part of
the national Jurisdiction wherein he resides, or of another national
Jurisdiction, he shall form part of the Order "in gremio religionis"
and shall fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chancery.
h. Each Member shall report himself or herself to their national
Jurisdiction annually. Where for whatever reason it is not possible to report to
their Jurisdiction, the Member shall report in writing to the Grand Chancery.
Any Member or Affiliate who fails to so report for two consecutive years shall
be deemed to have become inactive. Payment of annual oblations shall be deemed
to be on annual report.
i. As a rule each Member forms part of his national Jurisdiction.
If this Jurisdiction is divided into sub-jurisdictions the Member may join one
sub-jurisdiction acting in its region. If a Member wishes to be transferred from
one sub-jurisdiction to another one belonging to the national Jurisdiction, this
may be performed on written approval of the Head of Jurisdiction only.
j. Members forming part of a national Jurisdiction wishing to join
a Hereditary Commandery and vice versa may be transferred on written petition,
approved by both the Head of Jurisdiction and the Hereditary Commander, and with
written authorisation of the Grand Chancery only.
k. Members living in a country different from that in which they
live are ipso facto honorary Members of the Jurisdiction in which they live and
are expected to take part in all the work and assemblies of that Jurisdiction.
They shall have no right to vote in the Jurisdiction in which they are honorary
Members. This section shall not apply to Members who have requested or may
hereafter request transfer from the Jurisdiction of their residence to another
Jurisdiction, as such Members shall have no rights whatever in respect of the
Jurisdiction from which they were transferred, however, no Member shall be
transferred from the Jurisdiction of his residence to another Jurisdiction if an
active Jurisdiction exists in the country of the Members residence except in
exceptional cases where the express permission of the Grand Chancery has been
obtained. Members may be transferred to the Jurisdiction within which they
reside upon written request to the Grand Chancery for such transfer.
l. As a rule it is desirable, that after resignation or death of a
Member his Insignia should be returned to the Head of Jurisdiction to which the
Member belonged.
m. The appropriate Insignia for Members are as follows:
n.
The rank of Grand Gross is a mark of highest distinction. This rank is strictly
reserved to Heads of State, Prime and State Ministers, Governors, Generals etc.,
and Members of the Supreme Council, and to Heads of Jurisdiction who have served
the Grand Master faithfully.
o. The rank of Ecclesiastical Grand Cross is reserved to
Cardinals, Patriarchs, (Arch)Bishops and Abbots of all Christian denominations.
p. The rank of Knight (Dame) Commander is reserved to Heads of
Jurisdiction and to those Members of the Order who have not held office, but
have served the Order ten or more years as Knights (Dames).
q. Traditionally the following addresses, prefixes and
postnominals are used within the Order:
Rank |
Address |
Prefix |
Postnominal |
Member |
Confrere/Consœur |
none |
MLJ |
Officer |
Confrere/Consœur |
none |
OLJ |
Assistant Chaplain |
Reverend |
Chaplain |
AChLJ |
Commander |
Confrere/Consœur |
Commander |
CLJ |
Chaplain |
Right Reverend |
Chaplain |
ChLJ |
Knight |
Chevalier |
Chevalier |
KLJ |
Dame |
Dame |
Dame |
DLJ |
Senior Chaplain (KLJ) |
Very Reverend |
Chaplain |
SChLJ |
Knight Commander |
Chevalier |
Chevalier |
KCLJ |
Dame Commander |
Dame |
Dame |
DCLJ |
Senior Chaplain (KCLJ) |
Most Reverend |
Chaplain |
SChLJ |
Knight Grand Cross |
His Excellency |
Chevalier |
GCLJ |
Dame Grand Cross |
Her Excellency |
Dame |
DGCLJ |
Ecclesiastical
Grand Cross/ |
His
Excellency or |
Chaplain Prelate |
EGCLJ |
r. With the rank of Senior Chaplain or higher the Military Trophy above the Cross is replaced by a wreath.
7.4 FUNERAL OF DECEASED MEMBERS
The Order shall participate in funeral rites only at the specific request of the deceased Member’s representative.
Chapter 8 - Other Decorations of the Order
a.
The Companionate of Merit is open to those meriting well of the Order
without distinction of religion, nationality, race, language or sex, also to
Members of the Order. The Companionate of Merit may be conferred by the Grand
Master motu proprio, or by him on the recommendation of Heads of Jurisdiction,
made to the Grand Master through the Grand Chancery.
b. The Grand Master may establish by decree such other procedures
as may be appropriate for the awarding of the Companionate of Merit.
c. The award of the Companionate of Merit does not constitute
membership in the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem nor does it confer a knightly
title, and holders are not entitled to wear the Church Cape (Mantle) of the
Order.
d. The awards in the Companionate of Merit shall be from junior to
senior:
Order’s Standard |
International Standard |
Member in the Companionate of Merit (MMLJ) |
Knight/Dame of Merit |
Officer in the Companionate of Merit (OMLJ) |
Officer of Merit |
Commander in the Companionate of Merit (CMLJ) |
Commander of Merit |
Knight/Dame in the Companionate of Merit (KMLJ/DMLJ) |
Grand Officer of Merit |
Ecclesiastical Grand Cross in the Companionate of Merit (EGCMLJ) |
Grand Cross of Merit |
Knight/Dame Grand Cross in the Companionate of Merit (GCMLJ/DGCMLJ) |
Grand Cross of Merit |
e.
Ladies in the Companionate of Merit do not have the crossed swords between the
limbs of the cross.
f. The ribbon of ecclesiastical Members in the Companionate of
Merit is differenced by a central black stripe. Ecclesiastical holders do not
have the crossed swords between the limbs of the cross.
Other Awards of the Order are the following:
Crosses of Merit
Medals of Merit
Donat Crosses
Meritorious Service Decoration
Crusader’s Medal (Pilgrim’s Shell)
Other Decorations issued by national Jurisdictions
8.3
CROSSES OF MERIT OF THE ORDER
a.
The Crosses of Merit of the Order may be conferred only upon
Members of the Order performing meritorious conduct.
|
8.4
MEDALS OF MERIT OF THE ORDER
a.
The Medals of Merit of the Order may be conferred upon Members of
the Order and on those performing meritorious conduct.
|
8.5
DONAT CROSSES OF THE ORDER
Donat 3rd Cl. |
Donat 2nd Cl. |
Donat 1st Cl. |
a. A category of Donat shall be open to all whose munificence has been of signal assistance in the charitable works of the Order, including Members of the Order. They shall be in three classes. Their insignia shall be a three limbed Cross edged with silver for the third class, edged with gold surmounted by a Military Trophy for the second class, and edged with gold surmounted by the antique crown of the Order for first class. The same shall depend in each case from a neck ribbon of amaranthine red with a narrow green stripe down the center and edged with gold. The same badges will be worn by the appropriate ranks on the church capes. |
b. The awards of the Donat Crosses of the Order shall be from junior to senior:
Donat 3rd Class (Don3LJ)
Donat 2nd Class (Don2LJ)
Donat 1st Class (Don1LJ)
c. The award of the Donat Cross does not constitute membership in the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem nor does it confer any knightly title, but holders of the Donat Cross are entitled to wear the Church Cape (Mantle) of the Order.
8.6
MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATION OF THE ORDER
a.
The Meritorious Service Decoration (MSDLJ), instituted in July
1984 by the late Grand Master, D. Francisco de Borbon y de Borbon, may
be conferred to any Member of the Order, who has completed twenty years
continuous service as an official office bearer to recognize the
extraordinary amount of time given to the Order. |
8.7
THE CRUSADER’S MEDAL OF THE ORDER
a. The Crusader’s Medal (traditionally called Pilgrim’s Shell; PSLJ) may be conferred to any Member or Affiliate of the Order recognizing his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This pilgrimage must have been under religious auspices and must include at least three of the major sites in the Holy Land (like the old city of Jerusalem with Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Tomb and Church of St. Lazarus in the village of Bethany; the birthplace of Our Lord in Bethlehem; the cities of Nazareth and of St. Joan d’Arc). |
b. Holders of the Crusader’s Medal are, according to ancient customs, entitled to affix a woven model of the Badge in the centre of the Cross on their Church Cape.
a.
National jurisdictions empowered to organize Grand Magisterial Council Meetings
(or other important events) of the Order are authorized to issue Commemorative
Medals to commemorate such events. Commemorative Medals may be conferred to
any participating person. The design of such a Commemorative Medal must be
approved by the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order. They may not be worn
on uniform other than national custom.
b. The following Commemorative Medals have been issued since 1973
with the approval of the late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de
Borbon:
1973 - Inauguration of the Castello Lanzun (Castle of the Small Lance), Malta, as Headquarters of the Order, donated by the late Lieutenant Colonel The Chevalier Robert Gayre of Gayre and Nigg, GCLJ
1974 - Visit of the 47th Grand Master in Scotland and Grand Magisterial Meeting at Edinburgh, U.K.
1979 - Grand Magisterial Meeting at Salzburg, Austria
1981 - Donation of a bell to the Parish Church of Salzburg-Guggenthal, Austria, by the Order
1984 - Grand Magisterial Meeting at Washington D.C., USA
1988 - Grand Magisterial Council Meeting at Vienna, Austria
1990 - Grand Magisterial Meeting at Salzburg, Austria
In addition, the following Commemorative Medal has been issued:
1999 - Grand Magisterial Meeting at St. Pölten, Austria
Malta 1973 |
Scotland 1974 |
Salzburg 1979 - Salzburg 1981 - Washington 1984 - Vienna 1988 - Salzburg 1990 - St. Pölten 1999 |
Obverse - Reverse |
Obverse - Reverse |
Obverse - Reverse always the same |
a.
The Chain of the Order is a badge of office and may be worn by
Members of the Supreme Council, Grand Secretaries, Heads of
Jurisdiction, deputies and Chancellors only and by Heads of
Sub-jurisdictions on receipt of a brevet appointing them to that
position. |
Part 3
General Regulations
Chapter 9 - Other Banners, Ensigns and Seals
9.1 OTHER BANNERS, ENSIGNS, PINSIL AND STANDARD OF THE ORDER
a.
The Banners of Jurisdictions are: The banner of the Order, differenced
with an appropriate device in the dexter chief canton. Such devices must be
approved by the Judge of Arms of the Order.
b. The Ensigns of the Order are: Argent the full arms of
the Order, golden fringed for members of the Supreme Council, silver fringed for
Heads of national Jurisdictions, unfringed for all other officers of the Order.
c. The Pinsil of the Order is: Argent with the arms of the
Order in the center.
d. The Standard of the Order is: in the hoist, argent a
cross vert: in the fly, argent semee of crosses of eight beatitudes vert, two
bands azure bearing the motto "Atavis et Armis".
e. All Banners and Ensigns used within the Order must be
registered at the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.
9.2 SEALS USED WITHIN THE ORDER
a.
The Privy Seals of the Grand Master and of the Coadjutor are:
The full personal arms of the Grand Master or of the Coadjutor, encircled by the
inscription "The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of
Jerusalem" and "Grand Master" or "Coadjutor", all
written in one of the official languages of the Order.
b.
The Seals of the members of the Supreme Council and of the Grand
Secretaries are: |
c.
The Seals of Jurisdictions are:
The arms of the Order encircled by the inscription "The Military and
Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem", the name of the
Jurisdiction and the office or function of the bearer, all either in one of the
official languages of the Order or in the language spoken in the country of the
jurisdiction. Only Heads of Jurisdictions (e.g. Grand Priors, Grand Bailiffs,
Priors, Bailiffs, Commanders, Delegates, Hereditary Commanders), their acting
deputies and Chancellors are entitled to use such seals.
d. All seals used within the Order must be registered at the
office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.
Chapter 10 - Uniforms of the Order
a. Whilst the purchase and wearing of uniforms is optional, the wearing of Church Capes (Mantles) and appropriate insignia is a requirement at Investitures and Patronal Services.
b. Since the Order is world wide and international with Members belonging to various nationalities and having some differing customs in dress, certain flexibility must be allowed and therefore alterations, in minor details or design are permitted, provided that all Members in a national Jurisdiction wear the same design in dress.
c. The uniforms of the Order for gentlemen are:
Full Dress
Dress Uniform
Evening Uniform or Mess Dress
Church Cape (Mantle)
d.
On all formal occasions ladies are expected to wear long black dress with full
sleeves, with a Mantilla and comb.
e. Military or other national uniforms may replace the uniforms of
the Order and be worn at all ceremonial events.
a.
Full Dress Uniform: Whilst this uniform may be worn by all Members, by
custom it is the former standard dress of the Spanish Jurisdiction. Details from
Prior of Spain.
b. Dress Uniform: White tunic, cut in single-breasted
military style, with dark green facings and dark green cuffs (4" wide all
round the sleeve), gold shoulder straps. Four large buttons and three small on
each sleeve, worn over a white shirt with black knot tie.
c. Evening Uniform (or Mess Kit): Dark rifle green
Mess-Jacket ("Monkey jacket"), white facing (lapels), shoulder straps
in green, edged with gold, black waistcoat with three gilt buttons, worn over a
white shirt with black bow tie. Six large gilt buttons and two small on each
sleeve of the jacket.
d. Trousers for the uniforms mentioned before: Overalls
(i.e. tight military cavalry type trousers) or trousers, black, with gold
stripe, 1¼" wide (black evening trousers may be worn).
e. Spurs: When Overalls are worn, Golden spurs may be worn.
f. Scottish Members of the Order may wear full Highland dress in
lieu of uniforms mentioned above.
g. Sword: When worn, is a Court Sword, or, where
appropriate, a Highland Broadsword with Crosspiece on occasions of religious or
indoor ceremonial nature, otherwise with Basket-hilt lines in the colours of the
Order of green and white and with a green sword-knot.
h. Head Dress: Black cocked hat, with feathers for Grand
Officers and Heads of Jurisdictions. A green Beret with a green enamel cross of
the Order may be worn with the Evening Uniform.
i. Belt and Sword: The wearing of the belt and sword with
the Full Dress Uniform is obligatory but optional with the Dress Uniform. The
belt and sword will not be worn with the Evening Uniform.
j. Buttons and Badges: The buttons and badges of rank used
on the uniforms shall be of the design approved for the whole Order.
Church Cape (or Mantle): Black, lined with green silk, green cross embroidered on left shoulder, edged with gold, secured with gilt clasp and chain, and three buttons.
10.4 THE WEARlNG OF DIFFERENT UNIFORMS
a.
The Full Dress or Dress Uniform is worn at all occasions when the Grand Master
is present and on all ceremonial occasions (e.g. Investitures, etc.) of the
Order. It may also be worn at official functions at which the Order is
officially represented.
b. The Evening Uniform is worn at the functions of the Order held
after sunset.
c. Full Dress or Dress Uniform and Evening Uniform are equal to
white or black tie; after sunset also a Dinner Jacket may be worn.
d. The Church Cape (or Mantle) is worn on church occasions,
processions, lnvestitures, funerals of Members, etc., at which the Order is
officially represented. lt may be worn over the uniform or civilian dress.
a.
Shoulder epaulettes shall be worn by Members while in the uniform of the Order:
As used in this section, the term "cross" shall refer to the green
cross of eight points. The crosses shall be of enameled metal in a size
prescribed by the Grand Master.
b. The following shoulder epaulettes must be used:
Member: Silver epaulette with the initials "SL" and one button.
Officer: Silver epaulette with one green cross, the initials "SL" and one button.
Commander: Silver epaulette with two green crosses, the initials "SL" and one button.'
Knight: Gold epaulette with one green cross, the initials "SL" and one button. Also for Knight Commander.
Knight Grand Cross: Gold epaulette with two green crosses, the initials "SL" and one button.
Head of Jurisdiction: Gold epaulette with three green crosses, the initials "SL" and one button.
Members of the Supreme Council: Gold epaulette, one crown, the initials "SL" and one button.
Grand Chancellor; Grand Referendary: Gold epaulette, one crown, one green cross and one button.
Grand Commander, President of the Supreme Council: Gold epaulette, one crown, two green crosses and one button.
Coadjutor: Gold epaulette, one crown, three green crosses and one button.
Grand Master: Gold epaulette, one crown, four green crosses and one button.
c. Epaulettes may be either interwoven cords or flat boards with the relevant rank insignia.
Chapter 11 - The Wearing of Decorations
a.
Members promoted within the Order, the Companionate of Merit and the Donat
Crosses of the Order wear only the highest class.
b. Persons who have been decorated with the Crosses and/or Medals
of Merit may wear the insignia of all the classes they have been awarded.
c. Not more than one Collar or Chain of Office may be worn
at any time.
d. Not more than one Cordon, four breast stars or one neck cross
at any time, except full military uniform when two neck crosses may be worn.
e. Church capes: No decorations except Collar or Chain of Office
on ceremonial occasions may be worn.
f. Full size insignia are worn with dress or military uniform,
miniatures with mess dress.
Evening Dress |
Day Dress |
g. Regulations for Ladies:
h. When Ladies wear uniform, the same regulations apply as for Gentlemen |
11.2 FORMAL SUIT (WHITE TIE, BLACK TIE, GALA UNIFORM AND LONG DRESS)
a.
Full sized insignia:
Holders of Collar:
wear the Collar together with the Cordon with the Insignia of a Grand Cross
suspended from it and the Breast Star
Holders
of the Grand Cross: Knight/Dame
Commanders: |
|
Knights/Dames: Commanders: |
|
Officers: Members
and Holders of Order’s Awards: |
The Chain
of Office will be worn additional to the insignia awarded.
The Cross of Justice will be worn on the right breast.
At special occasions Grand Crosses and Grand Commanders may wear the decorations
of a Grand Officer.
b.
Miniatures |
a. On day suit may be worn by male members, according to their class, a rosette on the buttonhole of the jacket. |
b. The following rosette may be worn by the rank indicated to signify membership in the Order:
Member (MLJ): Black button outside, having a white inside with a green cross of eight points thereon
Officer (OLJ): The same button as for Member with the addition of one wavy silver thread running through the outside
Commander (CLJ): The same button as for Member with the addition of two wavy silver threads running through the outside
Knight (KLJ): The same button as for Member with the addition of one wavy gold thread running through the outside. Also for Knight Commander (KCLJ)
Knight Grand Cross (GCLJ): The same button as for Member with the addition of two wavy gold threads running through the outside
c.
At a date fixed by the Grand Chancellor in accordance with the Custodian of
Insignia, the colour of the buttonhole rosette will be changed from black to the
traditional Order’s green, with a green cross of eight points thereon. From
that published date there will be two different sized buttons without any
threads: a small one for Members, Officers and Commanders, and a larger one for
all other ranks.
Both types of rosettes may be worn.
d. Members, both male or female, may wear on day suit one
miniature appropriate to their rank, but without ribbon, to signify membership
in the Order.
The method wearing orders, decorations and medals by members of a national Jurisdiction shall be governed by the state rules obtaining in that country. Heads of Jurisdiction are advised to include in their Jurisdiction’s Dress Regulations (with copy to the Grand Chancery) relevant extracts from the official notes on the wearing of orders, decorations and medals, issued by their national government (if available).
Chapter 12 - Armorial Bearings
a.
As an international and independent Order, formerly of sovereign status, the
Order has the ability to regulate the use of heraldry within its own
jurisdiction. However the Order takes note of varying heraldic customs
worldwide, irrespective of actual legal control or lack thereof.
b. Although no Member of the Order is required to be or become a
bearer of heraldic arms, it is desirable that the heraldic tradition should
continue within the Order, both as an evocation of its history and as a
significant adjunct to the Order’s ceremonial.
The following additions are permitted to the arms of Members of the Order:
Ranks below that of Knight suspend the insignia of the Order beneath their coats of arms. |
|
Knights
shall show the green ribbon surrounding the shield, with the badge of
the Order dependent therefrom. |
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Knight Commanders and Knights Grand Cross shall replace the ribbon around the shield with the Cordon (Sash) of the Order. |
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Knight Commanders and Knights Grand Cross entitled to wear the Collar shall replace the ribbon around the shield with the Grand Collar of the Order. |
The rules for Knights, Dames and Ecclesiastical Members are the same.
12.3 ADDITIONS FOR GRAND OFFICERS
In addition to the foregoing, the following additions may be used, according to ancient traditions, by the officers indicated:
The
Grand Custodian of the Treasury: |
Two
keys in saltire behind the shield |
Chapter 13 - Volunteer Corps
13.1 GENERAL RULES REGARDING VOLUNTEER CORPS
a.
Where formed, these will be controlled by a mixed commission from the Order in
the country concerned and the members elected from the Corps. The financial
responsibilities will lie with these associations, although as far as within the
power of the Order, financial assistance will be afforded to them. Medical
Direction shall be under a Medical Director who will be either the Hospitaller
of the local Jurisdiction or appointed by him.
b. Volunteer Corps are also open to members not belonging to the
Order.
c. In all countries and especially in those, where it is not
possible by laws to register (or charter) a national Jurisdiction of the Order
as a juridical body itself, the Members of the Order have to found and register
(or charter) a Volunteer Corps as a charitable association or society, called St.
Lazarus Volunteers (translated and written in the language spoken in the
country of the jurisdiction).
d. Within the country of a national Jurisdiction only one
volunteer corps may be founded. All Members of the national Jurisdiction are
obliged to become also members of that corps, and they as well as all other
Members of the Order living in that country (e.g. members of foreign
Jurisdictions, in gremio religionis or of Hereditary Jurisdictions) are obliged
to cooperate with their utmost of ability and to contribute to the preservation,
growth and splendour of the society and its charitable works.
e. In exceptional circumstances or if it is not possible to
institute a Volunteer Corps, and with prior approval of the Grand Chancellor the
only one registered (or chartered) national society may use another style like a
foundation or association, open only to Members of the Order.
The head of the national Jurisdiction or a Member of the Order appointed by him has to act as President or Chairman of the society. Normally this chairman is responsible for the appointment of all members of the Board of the corps.
a.
The Board of the Volunteer Corps is authorized to found - with the consent of
the Head of the national Jurisdiction - Crosses and Medals of Merit which may be
awarded to merited members and other persons. The design of such decorations
must be approved by the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.
b. The late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de
Borbon, has approved in 1982 the following decorations to be used and conferred
by the Austrian Volunteer Corps (Sankt Lazarus Hilfswerk) only:
Cross
of Merit 2nd Class |
Badge
of Honour 2nd Class |
|
Bronze
Medal of Merit |
Bronze
Medal of Honour |
c. The late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de Borbon, has founded in 1984 the following medals to be used and conferred by the German Volunteer Corps (Lazarus Hilfswerk in Deutschland e.V.) only:
Bronze
Medal of Merit |
Bronze
Medal of Honour |
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Poland Medal of Gratitude (silver) |
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Members of a national Volunteer Corps may wear the Service Dress (dark rifleman green trousers and tunic, black bonnet or beret) or a local uniform approved by the Head of the national Jurisdiction. Such uniforms must be registered by the Judge of Arms of the Order.
13.5 USE OF THE CROSS OF THE ORDER
The one Volunteer Corps (or other association) within each national Jurisdiction only is entitled to use the eight-pointed green cross as its badge.
An annual report will be made covering the work of the Volunteers Corps, ambulance sections and nurses’ associations together with any other activity undertaken.
The Banner of the Volunteer Corps is: Argent an eight-pointed cross Vert.
a.
The Seals of the Volunteers Corps are: The cross of eight points on a
shield, encircled by the (registered) name of the Volunteers Corps and
with the office or function of the bearer, inscribed in the language of
the country the seal is used. |