Vienna (OTS) – The MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria is pleased to welcome 57 new members. The solemn high mass took place on June 22, 2024 in the Karlskirche. The grand induction ceremony is an annual highlight for the Maltese, as each member volunteers more than 120 hours caring for the sick and those in need.
“Our 57 new, mostly young members stand for thousands of additional hours of service – all of them volunteered to offer comprehensive help to the sick and those in need – whether through various social services or the Malteser medical services,” explains Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld, the recently elected commander of the MALTESER Hospital Services Austria. “I have great respect for the youth and also for the commitment of people who are already in the middle of their lives and whom we can now welcome to the Maltese. All of these new members are a clear sign that the charitable spirit of serving others, based on a strong faith, is alive,” emphasizes Spiegelfeld. “We are also looking forward to the many positive impulses that the new Maltese people will bring to our work bring in.”
All new members have undergone comprehensive training that prepares them for their tasks. It not only includes detailed first aid training and basic medical and nursing training, but also conveys the ethical-religious principles and humanitarian tradition of the Order of Malta, which, as the oldest Catholic nursing order in the world, has been dedicated to humanitarian tasks since the 11th century.
The ceremonial reception high mass in Vienna’s Karlskirche was led by Dr. Fr. Korbinian Birnbacher OSB, chief chaplain of the Order of Malta and archabbot of St. Peter in Salzburg. The new members made their promise of service to the Grand Prior of Austria, Fra’ Gottfried Kühnelt-Leddihn, who himself has been active in the MALTESER Hospital Service Austria for over 54 years. Following the high mass, the new members were welcomed with great joy at a reception directly on Karlsplatz – including the recently appointed command members Gini Czernin, Konstanze Loudon and Lukas Krupitza.
Grand Prior Fra’ Gottfried Kühnelt-Leddihn concluded: “The charism of our order is service to the poor and sick, which gives us deep joy on the basis of Christian charity and a living faith. I therefore wish everyone who is now starting their journey in the Maltese community that they will feel the same fulfillment that I have felt for over 50 years.”
About the Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria
Founded in Austria in 1956 by the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta, the MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria has developed into one of the largest purely voluntary rescue and disabled care organizations in Austria. Poor, needy, sick and abandoned people are the focus of the Maltese’s activities, which are based on Christian charity. Over 1,000 active, exclusively voluntary members provide personal attention to old, disabled and needy people in the area of social work and care for the disabled, or help in the medical and rescue services as well as in disaster relief. Donations to Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria are tax deductible. www.malteser.at
Questions & Contact:
For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Sebastian Ernest | Communication & PR – Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria
sebastian.ernest@malteser.at | +43 664 22 56 777 | www.malteser.at