I am happy to say that this year two knights have taken their perpetual vows and six have taken temporary vows.

I cannot emphasise enough how important this is to the future of the Order, as it is the Professed members who are its core.

Unfortunately, we have seen the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where we have volunteers working to help the poor and the sick, and also to help in the education of girls, who have been deprived of the opportunity of going to school for almost two decades.

I made a state visit to Morocco, where the Order is involved in an eye clinic for children, a diabetes centre, and also in the training of first-aid workers. The Canadian Association, the Western Association of the United States and the MalteserHilfsdienst all celebrated fifty years of their foundation. I am sure that we all send them our congratulations and best wishes for the continuation of their excellent work.

I take the opportunity of thanking all members of the Order for their work, and wish you all a very happy Christmas and successful New Year.

Fra’ Andrew Bertie