Autumn 2026 · South Florida
Annual Investiture & Gala Convocation
The Grand Priory will receive new Knights and Dames at its annual investiture ceremony, followed by the charity gala benefiting hurricane relief.
Welcome
Ancient Chivalry, Sunshine-State Service
The Grand Priory of Florida unites Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta — Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) — across the Sunshine State, from Pensacola to Key West.
We are heirs to a hospitaller tradition more than nine centuries old: men and women of every background, bound by a chivalric code of honor and a single ruling virtue — charity. Acceptance into the Order is based on human values and quality of character, without distinction of religion, race, social class, political tendency, physical ability, or orientation.
In Florida, that ancient vocation takes a distinctly local shape: hurricane and disaster relief, support for veterans and first responders, coastal community health initiatives, and fellowship rooted in the maritime spirit our Order has carried since the harbors of Rhodes and Malta.
Faith & Honor
A chivalric code grounded in religious and philanthropic principle, seeking justice and charity for all — especially the vulnerable.
Hospitaller Charity
From the Domus Hospitalis of Jerusalem to Femeraid International today: tending the sick, the poor, and the pilgrim.
Florida Fellowship
Investitures, chapter convocations, and works of mercy in every region of the state — under our own palms and sun.
Our History
From the Domus Hospitalis to the Federation
It is difficult to love an institution whose story we do not know. No few pages can hold nine hundred years; what follows recalls the principal moments that shaped the Order from its origins to the present day.
Jerusalem · 1048 – 1291
The Domus Hospitalis
In the early eleventh century, Amalfitan merchants were permitted to establish in Jerusalem a quarter with lodgings, churches, and shelters for sick pilgrims. A monastic brotherhood of Hospitallers arose to manage the Domus Hospitalis dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Its master, Blessed Fra Gerard, is honored as the first Grand Master. By the bull of Pope Paschal II in 1113, the Hospitallers were recognized as an institution free of any civil or ecclesiastical authority — the seed of the Order's sovereignty. Under Fra Raymond du Puy the brothers took up arms in defense of pilgrims and the weak, adopting the eight-pointed white cross and the vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity. After Saladin retook Jerusalem and, in 1291, the fall of Acre under Grand Master Jean de Villiers, the Order withdrew from the Holy Land.
Cyprus & Rhodes · 1291 – 1523
Sovereigns of the Sea
From Cyprus, and then from the island of Rhodes, the Order grew into a maritime power — building hospitals, a formidable fleet, and the first true expression of its territorial sovereignty. For two centuries the Knights of Rhodes defended the eastern Mediterranean, withstanding sieges until the great assault of 1522 forced an honorable withdrawal.
Malta · 1530 – 1798
The Knights of Malta
Granted the Maltese archipelago by Emperor Charles V, the Order took the name by which the world knows it. The Great Siege of 1565, the Sacra Infermeria — among the finest hospitals of its age — and the building of Valletta marked the Order's golden era, until Napoleon's seizure of the island in 1798 scattered the Knights across Europe.
The Federation · Modern Era
KMFAP Today
The Federation of the Autonomous Priories of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta (KMFAP) continues the hospitaller tradition as a sovereign, supra-national, and multi-confessional order of chivalry — maintaining diplomatic and humanitarian activity around the world, including the medical and rescue services of Femeraid International. The Grand Priory of Florida carries this living heritage in the southeastern United States.
The Grand Priory
Four Coasts, One Cross
Florida is a maritime state, and ours has always been a maritime Order. From the harbors of Rhodes to the bastions of Valletta, the Knights of Saint John kept watch over the sea — a vocation our priory renews on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts alike.
Commandery of the Atlantic Coast
Miami · Fort Lauderdale · Palm Beach. Investitures, diplomatic and commerce liaison, and works of mercy in South Florida's international gateway.
Commandery of the Gulf Coast
Tampa Bay · Sarasota · Naples. Coastal community health initiatives and fellowship along the Gulf.
Commandery of Central Florida
Orlando · The Villages · Space Coast. Veterans' outreach and support for first responders in the heart of the state.
Commandery of North Florida
Jacksonville · Tallahassee · Pensacola. Hurricane preparedness and disaster-relief coordination across the Panhandle and First Coast.
Humanitarian Works
Charity Is Our Rule
The Knights of Malta are renowned for humanitarian effort: for over nine hundred years the Order has rendered assistance across the world, today reaching scores of countries through its priories, consulates, and medical services. In Florida, our works of mercy answer the needs of our own shores.
Hurricane & Disaster Relief
Pre-season preparedness drives, post-storm supply distribution, and coordination with county emergency management and trusted relief charities.
Femeraid International
The Order's worldwide medical and rescue network — health alerts, medical knighthood, and humanitarian medicine — to which Florida members lend professional service.
Veterans & First Responders
Honoring those who serve: support programs for veterans, law enforcement, fire rescue, and Coast Guard families across the state.
Directed Giving
Donations are directed in full to vetted charitable organizations of the donor's choice — no administrative surcharge taken by the priory, with tax receipts issued directly by the receiving charity.
Membership
Becoming a Knight or Dame
To be invested as a Knight or Dame is to join a chivalric institution — and to adopt and practice a code of honor founded on religious and philanthropic principle, seeking justice and charity for all, especially the vulnerable and the needy. The worth of the Order is the worth of each of its members.
Qualifications
- At least twenty years of age, save in truly exceptional circumstances.
- Stable persons of dignified and steady employment, or proprietors of businesses in good moral, social, and political standing.
- Practitioners of a liberal or learned profession, members of the Armed Forces, or retired persons and veterans of military campaigns.
- Regarded socially and professionally as capable, just, honest, compassionate, and courageous.
- Religious individuals practicing their faith — or persons of deep respect for the religious convictions of others — engaged in humanitarian activity.
- Preferably (though not required) part of the intellectual, artistic, economic, or civic life of their community.
- No delinquent or criminal record, and no profession or manner of life regarded as dishonorable by social, legal, or moral standards.
Admission is granted without any discrimination of religious belief, social class, race, political tendency, physical disability, or private orientation. Worthy non-Christian philanthropists are welcomed in a special Chapter of Philanthropic Knights under the authority of the Regent.
Path to Investiture
Proposal
Every applicant must be introduced, presented, and proposed by an active Knight or Dame of the Federation.
Application Dossier
Application for Membership, curriculum vitae, two color photographs, and any further documentation the Board of Admissions may request.
Review & Grand Magisterial Approval
The Board of Admissions reviews each dossier on the human values and character of the applicant; membership is granted or denied by Motu Proprio of the Grand Master.
Postulation
A period of at least thirty days of spiritual and practical preparation — a time of meditation on the meaning of chivalry.
Investiture
Solemn investiture as Knight or Dame of the Order, conferring citizenship of a sovereign order without territory — without affecting one's nationality of origin.
News & Events
From the Priory Chancery
Ongoing
Medical Alerts & Travel Advisories
Current Femeraid International health advisories for members traveling abroad, with precautionary guidance from the Order's medical team.
June 1 · Statewide
Hurricane Season Preparedness Drive
Commanderies across Florida assemble relief supplies and volunteer rosters ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Contact the Chancery
Correspondence & Inquiries
Inquiries regarding candidacy, charitable partnership, or the works of the Grand Priory of Florida may be addressed to the Priory Chancery. All applications for membership proceed under the regulations of the Federation of the Autonomous Priories.
- Chancery
- Grand Priory of Florida · KMFAP
Fort Lauderdale, Florida - chancery@kmfapflorida.org
- Federation
- kmfap.com · knightsofmaltaus.org
- For Candidates
- Please indicate the name of the Knight or Dame proposing you, together with a brief curriculum vitae.
- For Charities
- Florida not-for-profits seeking inclusion among our directed-giving partners are invited to write to the Chancery.
- For the Press
- Media inquiries regarding the history, diplomacy, and humanitarian activity of KMFAP.