Order of Malta Commemorates Great Siege of 1565 at Newry Cathedral and celebrates their 900-year mission of service.
On Saturday, 13th September at 2pm, Archbishop Eamon Martin will warmly welcome the Knights, Dames and Volunteers of the Order of Malta Ireland to Newry Cathedral for a special Mass of thanksgiving. This celebration will commemorate the Raising of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565—an event that changed the course of European history—and give thanks for the continuing mission of the Order of Malta today.
The Order of Malta, one of the oldest institutions of the Catholic Church, traces its roots back over 900 years. Founded in Jerusalem in the 11th century under the eight pointed white cross that is still its emblem today, its first mission was to protect and care for pilgrims in the Holy Land. Over time, it moved from Jerusalem to Rhodes, and finally to Malta, where it became renowned both for its faith and its medical care. Its full title, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, more simply known as the Order of Malta, reflects this journey.
The Great Siege of Malta in 1565 was one of the defining events of the 16th century. An Ottoman army of 40,000 attempted to expel the Knights from Malta, but under Grand Master Fra’ Jean de la Valette, about 500 Knights and their Maltese allies resisted for more than three months. Relief finally arrived on 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The victory weakened the image of Ottoman invincibility, and Voltaire later wrote, “Nothing is better known than the siege of Malta.” To honour their Grand Master, the Order built Valletta, which included a major hospital pioneering medical practices still used today.
The Order left Malta in 1798 and established its headquarters in Rome, where it remains. Today, the Order is active in 120 countries, with 13,500 members, 80,000 volunteers, and 25,000 medical professionals. Guided by its motto, Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum—defence of the faith and service to the poor and sick—it continues its humanitarian mission under the leadership of Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap.
In Ireland, the Order’s main charitable work is carried out through its Ambulance Corps, founded in Galway in 1938. By the early 1950s, Newry had its own unit, and today the Corps operates 60 units with 2,500 volunteers across Ireland. They provide emergency medical assistance, youth cadet programmes, and community services.
Beyond emergency response, the Order of Malta Ireland supports the vulnerable, elderly, and disabled. Each year it brings pilgrims requiring intensive medical care to Lourdes, as well as hosting an annual pilgrimage to Knock. Its Share to Care Project offers respite holidays for disadvantaged families, while young volunteers assist at the International Camp for Young Disabled, held annually in Europe. The Irish Association also partners with Queen’s University Belfast’s Catholic Chaplaincy on student outreach, including an annual Christmas appeal for the homeless and vulnerable families.
Internationally, one of its most important projects is the Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem, located just 800 metres from Christ’s birthplace. Supported by Order of Malta Ireland, the hospital has delivered over 100,000 babies since 1990, providing essential care in an area with limited health services. A Midwifery Degree Programme, launched with Bethlehem University, benefits from Irish medical expertise in training and mentoring.
The Order of Malta is the world’s oldest medical mission, combining a proud history with a living commitment to aid those in need. Today, the Order’s humanitarian presence extends across some of the world’s most troubled regions, with medical and relief teams currently operating in Ukraine, Gaza and the Lebanon, providing essential care and support to those affected by conflict and displacement. Newry Cathedral Parish and the wider community are invited to join the Order’s celebration in the Cathedral, that will not only recall the heroism of 1565 but also celebrate the Order’s ongoing mission of faith and service today.
