(Rivista Internazionale - December 1996: Growing together in Europe - 1/1)

Health

Growing together in Europe
First Meeting of the Order's Auxiliary Corps
25-27 October 1996

Vienna A member of the relief corps of the Gran Priory of Austria with one of the 10.000 Albanian children assisted by the Order's Organisations.

On the proposal of the Hospitaller, Baron Albrecht Boeselager to the "Malteser Hospital Dienst Austria ", representatives of the Order's Auxiliary Corps from 22 European countries met up in Vienna for a three-day conference to discuss their respective experiences.
In the presence of the Hospitaller and six of the Order's ambassadors, 70 members of almost all the European countries, under the leadership of Dr Joerg Jakobljevich, President of ECOM (Emergency Corps), discussed co-operation in national and international relief missions, including assistance to the sick, the first-aid and operational centres and the work of the emergency team in disasters.
For the first time, members of all the Order's bodies founded at the beginning of the Nineties in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine took part in this European meeting. They listened to the experiences of western and central European countries and helped to organise works in states with social problems and lack of infrastructures.
In his introduction, the Hospitaller defined the auxiliary service as a very important part of the Order. He went on to say that one of its typical aspects is the fact that a considerable proportion of members do not belong to the Order, but want to carry out charitable works in the spirit of the Order's cross, and therefore with the aims of tuitio fidei and obsequium pauperum.

A summer camp for the disabled organised by the Orders Relief Corps in Italy.

In the countries in which there are Grand Priories or associations, the auxiliary corps is formed under their auspices. In countries in which the Order has no structures, the auxiliary corps is linked to the body which has promoted its foundation and managed it, or to the Order's ambassador. Members of the Order can also be appointed as representatives. It is necessary to co-ordinate activities across national borders, especially in the case of activities organised by an existing national structure of the Order. The importance of the over 30 auxiliary corps in existence, concluded the Hospitalier, lies in the enormous range of their activities and institutional tasks.
The Head Chaplain of MHDA, Father Gregor Henckel Donnersmarck, expressed his admiration for the spirituality of the auxiliary service. He stressed the fact that the Order's traditional spirituality co-exists with the apostolic mission of its lay members; the decisive aspect of the Order's spirituality is its work with the sick, and it is through them that the Order can serve the Lord. It is by defending the dignity of the sick and the poor that we can relieve the suffering of the crucified Lord.
He urged those present to spread the Gospels in the world, not as a form of doctrine but through deeds and actions; the Gospels lived in the example of Christ: healing the sick, comforting the dying and assisting those who suffer.

Vienna. Programme "Vacations in Peace" organised by the Austrian Relief Corps (MHDA) for the children from Sarajevo. The members from MHDA organised the travel to Austria of 120 children and their entrusting to Austrian families during the summer period.

Dr Jakoblievich spoke of the Order's hospital and auxiliary service, recalling its humble work for the poor and sick.
The hospital service helps to achieve the Order's objective as established in its constitution: the sanctification of its members, service to the faith and the Church and assisting ones neighbour.
In an overview of the mission of the Order and its auxiliary corps, he touched on some fundamental aspects of common work. The decisive factor is not so much our aid, but WHY and in WHAT WAY this aid is given. We must help and alleviate pain as much as possible, never forgetting WHY and in WHAT WAY. The element of measurement should not be sizes or numbers of miles, hours or tonnes, but love.
Dr Jakobljevich also stressed the need to seek personal contact with "Our Lords the Sick", without heeding their status or rank. This gives us a correct perspective on our work, restoring objectivity to the personal image. The choice of our service should also be made under the aspect of WHY and in WHAT WAY. One of our main objectives should be that of enabling everyone to serve "Our Lords the Sick" in their own way.

Sarajevo A convoy of the Austrian Relief Corps of the order (MHDA), escorted by the UN IFOR during a relief operation in former Yugoslavia.

Another feature of the Order's hospital service and its auxiliary corps are the pilgrimages and self funding with the help of a great number of people. The speaker concluded by asserting that the voluntary work of the members of the auxiliary corps is an important base for performing the hospital service. This voluntary work is a specific objective of the Order's mission, and must therefore be planned and managed in conformity with the Order's structure.
An extensive range of possibilities for co-operation were then discussed during the general debate, as well as the creation of new services.
The Hospitaller affirmed that the most important result of the conference was the report on the problems of each country. He also stated that the conference will take place every three years in future.
At the end of the meeting, new forms of international and bilateral co-operation were decided. Co-operation in general will be facilitated thanks to personal preparation and participation.
"Growing Together in Europe" under the emblem of the Order's cross in Vienna was enthusiastically supported by all participants.
Differences dues to language barriers, equipment, dimensions and the various organisational structures became less important.

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