(Rivista Internazionale - December 1996: The spirituality of the Hospitaller Order of St. John in Jerusalem - 2/3)

Rome. H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master Fra' Andrew Bertie with the prelate of the Order His Eminence Donato de Bonis, after the wreath laying ceremony at the monument of the Holy Virgin in Piazza di Spagna, on the occasion of the Feast of the Virgin.

The Hospitaller Rule of the Magister Domus Hospitalis (todays Grand Master) Roger de Moulins shows that very detailed orders were given on caring for the sick, the poor and orphans, treating them as lords and respecting their innate rights.
In a separate from around 1181, the life of the Order's members was disciplined in relation to the Regulations. This decree expresses the fundamental concept that the health of the body and salvation of the soul are indivisible. However, the salvation of the soul must not be confused with the health of the psyche, which is instead more a part of physical health.

Mandeni. South Africa. The stained-glass window representing the founder of the Order in the chapel of the "Blessed Gerard's Care Centre".

If we claim to assist the person entrusted to us also from the point of view of his or her mind, or psyche, this does not dispense us from the duty of looking after souls, that is of solicitude for the spiritual life, for the salvation of the souls of those we assist.
Since the salvation of humans consists in communion with Christ, it is also our task, in and through our service, to bring people closer to Christ, helping them towards their salvation.
Our service is therefore consciously and essentially missionary work. We must consider ourselves instruments of God, called to cooperate in His plan of salvation. True sanctity does not mean fleeing from the world, but in realising the Gospel in daily life, in the family, in school, in the workplace and in concrete social commitment.
What I have said represents the basic difference between our service and the social service of other welfare organisations. Our task is not only that of helping, but also sanctifying ourselves and others.
It can be that this obligation of sanctification is not manifest in all the welfare work carried out by the Order's members. For example, during an ethnic war in Africa, it is only possible to give material assistance because of the lack of means and the refugees, the hungry and the fact that the sick are fighting for their very survival.
In these circumstances, it is even more necessary for those who assist to exemplify in their service, in prayer and meditation, the words "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me" (Mt 25.35,36). A service which can be offered for as long as 16 to 20 hours a day can be therefore become spiritual and offered for the glorification of Our Lord through those in need.

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