The Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller of Florida

BOCA RATON, FL – (Date) – The Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller of Florida is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3  organization, and a chapter of one of the oldest Orders of Chivalry in existence.

The organization, whose nearly 1,000-year- old motto is “Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum” (For Faith, For Service to Humanity), is synonymous with philanthropy, generosity and compassionate care.

As one of the most vibrant chapters of The Order of St. John in the United States, the Florida Commandery, led by Commander Isabelle K. Paul, DCJSJ, consists of 42 members, headquartered in Boca Raton, where they focus on funding the most critical of needs of local charities.

It was the Countess de Hoernle, whose philanthropy was vital to the community of Boca Raton, who became so active in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta that she become a holder of the Grand Cross, Dame Commander of Justice, and Ambassador at Large in the organization. In 2012 she was one of only three individuals throughout the world to receive the OSJ’s highest award, the Cross of Merit. Her energy and compassion for the sick and poor made her a driving force in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, in the Florida Commandery. Prior to her passing in 2016 at the age of 103, the Countess stated, “Giving begins at home, and this community is our home”.

“Henrietta, Countess de Hoernle was a driving visionary for our community, and her generosity and compassion aimed to change the world. She succeeded. It is her legacy that encourages all the members of The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Florida Commandery to take our work so seriously,” said Commander Isabelle K. Paul, DCJSJ. “We are honored to preserve the centuries old traditions and customs entrusted to us and are steadfastly dedicated to helping the sick and the poor in our community of Boca Raton and beyond.”

In 2015-2016 alone, the Order of St. John Florida Commandery funded a variety of critical needs of local charities including, but most certainly not limited to, the building of The Genesis Community Medical Clinic and Dental Clinic for free and low-cost community healthcare for underserved communities, the provision for temporary housing for homeless families and youth, and resources for children who have had to sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, elderly or disabled.

In 2017, the organization has funded grants for Boca Helping Hands, Home Safe, Women’s Circle, Gateway Community Outreach and Place of Hope, and has identified needs from a variety of other charities that will be added to the list.

Please visit www.osjflorida.org to learn more about the work the Order of St. John Florida Commandery.

Pro Fide Pro Utilitate Hominum – For Faith, For Service to Humanity

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