Order Pro Merito Melitensi

The Order of Merit pro Merito Melitensi of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a knightly order of merit established in 1920. It is awarded to men and women who have brought honour and prestige to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or actively promoted Christian values or works of charity in the Christian tradition as defined by the Roman Catholic Church. Those decorated are not invested in a religious ceremony as knights and dames of the Order of Malta itself (which is a military order of chivalry); therefore the Order pro Merito Melitensi (sometimes "Melitense") may be bestowed upon non-Catholics. Conferees include prominent statesmen, such as Ronald Reagan (who received it while still in office) and George H.W. Bush. The Order of Merit has certain ranks (such as commendatore or knight commander) now rare in the Order of Malta, and has no nobiliary grades. In this way it is comparable to numerous orders of merit around the world, including the Papal orders, France's Legion of Honour and Britain's Order of the British Empire. Unlike knights and dames in the Order of Malta itself, those decorated with the Order of Merit do not swear any oath or make any religious commitment. In addition to the Order, a Medal is awarded in three grades, namely gold, silver and bronze.