Read the Priory USA’s statement about recent events in the Holy Land. Read Statement

The Priory in the USA of the Order of St John

Serving Mankind for a Millennium through Serving the Sick and the Poor

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Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum

The history and original purpose of the Order of St John - one that began over 900 years ago in a hospice for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem - continues to this day. Throughout those nine centuries, two things have remained constant and are preserved in the motto of the Order: Pro Fide (For the Faith) and Pro Utilitate Hominum (In the Service of Humanity). As it has developed into a modern charity, the Order has never forgotten its roots and the integral connection between faith and action.

Our Mission

Saving Sight, Changing Lives

Today the Order of St John is a global humanitarian charity consisting of 11 Priories and over 30 associations, 21,000 members worldwide and 250,000 dedicated volunteers operating in more than 30 countries. The Order encompasses the foundations of the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) and St John Ambulance.

Our Work

Over 900 Years Serving Humanity

The first objective of the Order is the encouragement of all that makes for the spiritual and moral strengthening of mankind in accordance with the first great principle of the Order embodied in the motto “Pro Fide.” The Order’s second objective is the encouragement and promotion of all work of humanity and charity for the relief of those in sickness, distress, suffering or danger, without distinction of race, class or religion and the extension of the second great principle of the Order embodied in the motto “Pro Utilitate Hominum.”

Our Heritage

St John Eye Hospital Group

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group was established in 1882 and continues to provide the highest quality ophthalmic care to the people of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, irrespective of race, gender, or ability to pay.

The Hospital continues to witness new levels of determination and strength, making it a year of progression in our fight against preventable blindness.

ABOUT SJEHG

A SJEHG patient receives an eye exam

In 2021

135,000+ patients treated

6,500+ major operations

$2.4M donated to SJEHG

Meet the Patients and Medical Staff

Bilal

“We know the doctors there will do all they can to save our son’s sight.”

Born prematurely, baby Bilal’s eyes were badly underdeveloped.

See Bilal's Story

Nurse Ahmed

"I knew that St John Eye Hospital was the only place which could help me to be a certified ophthalmic nurse."

Nurse Ahmed is one of our amazing nursing students.

See Nurse Ahmed's Story

Luma

"There is nowhere else in Palestine with St John’s level of training. I would not trust anyone other than St John with my daughter’s eyes.”

At a weekly pediatric clinic, six-year-old Luma’s severe squint was diagnosed early enough to avoid surgery

See Luma's Story

Nurse Alice

“The best thing about St John is the teamwork in the Hospital. Other hospitals do not treat their colleagues in the same way — here it’s like one big family!”

Nurse Alice is one of our 2015 ophthalmic nurse graduates from the Sir Stephen Miller School of Nursing.

See Nurse Alice's Story

See What Your Contribution Can Do

Recent events in Israel and Gaza have both shocked and horrified Members of the U.S. Priory, the St John Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) staff, the patients we serve and the broader international community.

As a charity that has worked in the region for more than a century, we have one goal: saving sight, changing lives. Our job is to provide high-quality eye care to patients regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay.

As always, we remain committed to our mission and our resolve to bring hope to the vulnerable of the Holy Land. The people affected are some of the most vulnerable in the world, and this war is creating a severe humanitarian crisis on a scale not previously seen in recent times. While we cannot predict what will unfold, what remains clear is that more people will suffer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected in the Holy Land and across the world by this current conflict.

Our Gaza hospital has suffered damage but remains standing, though under severe strain. Support is needed now more than ever. If you wish to make a donation, please click on the “Donate” button below.

DONATE

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