Forewords
Foreword to the new edition (2026)
The printed second edition of my work, "Die Ordensregel der Johanniter/Malteser", is still available, but outdated. In recent years, I have translated the text into English, extensively revised it, and supplemented it with a wealth of illustrations. This version has been continuously updated on our platform, http://blessed-gerard.org .
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Instead of simply reprinting the original book version, I decided to fundamentally revise and expand the extended English version, translate it back into German, and publish it again as an electronic edition alongside the English version at http://blessed-gerard.org .
I used Google's artificial intelligence as an editing tool and for stylistic optimization.
This non-commercial publication aims solely to illuminate the enduring significance of Blessed Gérard and his foundation, the Order of St. John. It is my hope to reach and motivate people to put the ideals of Blessed Gérard, as well as those of the Orders of St. John and Malta, into practice in their own lives.
Regarding the numerous images, I have made every effort to ensure correct source attribution. Should any copyrights have been inadvertently overlooked despite careful review, please inform me; the relevant content will be removed immediately in accordance with copyright law.
I am especially indebted to Dr. Rotraut Krall for numerous corrections and suggestions.
I hope you will find reading this rewarding. Since this work makes no claim to infallibility, I am always grateful for expert comments, additions, or corrections sent to bgt@bbg.org.za .
Warm greetings from Mandeni, South Africa, on the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the Blessed Gérard's Care Centre and Blessed Gérard's Church
on September 3, 2026
Yours most sincerely
Founder and leader of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard
Preface to the
revised German print version:
Gerhard Tonque Lagleder:
Die Ordensregel der Johanniter/Malteser. Die geistlichen Grundlagen des Johanniter-/Malteserordens, mit einer Edition und Übersetzung der drei ältesten Regelhandschriften.
EOS Publishing House of the Archabbey of St. Ottilien. 1983 (ISBN 3-88096-151-4)
[2nd revised edition 1994]
It is with great pleasure that I present this study on the spiritual foundations of the Orders of St. John and Malta to the public. The work is based on my theological diploma thesis, which was submitted to the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Regensburg on September 1, 1980. The original title was: “The New in the Spiritual Tradition of the Order of St. John: An Investigation and Presentation of the Spiritual Foundations of the Order of St. John, its Tradition, and Independent Elements.”
Since receiving numerous requests for publication, I have decided to release this work. This study is primarily aimed at members of all organisations serving under the Order of Malta, to help them gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual foundation of their work. For this publication, the text has been completely revised: in particular, the first part has been made more accessible, current scientific findings have been integrated, and the third part has been restructured.
A crucial contribution to the discovery of the sources came from my family: My brother Johannes Lagleder and especially my father, retired director of studies Hans Lagleder, made the essential part of the transcription and translation of the medieval German manuscript of the Order of St. John.
The publication would not have been possible without the generous support of Valentin Graf von Ballestrem, who, with his customary kindness, assumed the financial risk. He deserves my special thanks. I also thank the EOS publishing house in St. Ottilien, in particular Father Dr. Bernhard Sirch O.S.B. and Brother Otto Steidle O.S.B., for their excellent cooperation.
I sincerely thank my superiors, His Grace Archabbot Notker Wolf O.S.B. and Reverend Father Ansgar Schmid O.S.B., for releasing me from other duties, which enabled me to complete this study.
I hope all readers derive great benefit from this reading. May they be touched by that spirit which not only forms the historical foundation, but as the Holy Spirit remains the living source of power and the goal of every service under the Maltese cross.
St. Ottilien, on the feast day of the founder of the order, Blessed Gérard,
September 3, 1983
Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B.
Preface to the original version (dated October 1, 1980) as a typescript
A wealth of accounts exists on the history of the Order of St. John, comprehensively documenting its political development, legal history, and hospitality. Nevertheless, it seems appropriate to acknowledge the Order's spiritual tradition to a degree commensurate with its significance. The aim of this study is not to present a complete compendium of the Order's spirituality. Rather, it is intended as a contribution to illuminating the intellectual and cultural development as well as the fundamental innovation that the Order of St. John represented for the history of religious orders with its founding. The inner motivation for this work stems from my personal vocation: In service under the Maltese cross, I have found a sphere of activity in which the pursuit of the effective practice of Christian charity is central. In the spiritual foundations of the Order of Malta, I have found a spiritual home that has decisively shaped my longing to follow Christ. Engaging with this spiritual heritage is therefore a personal concern of mine—coupled with the hope of conveying this enthusiasm to others.
My thanks go to everyone who accompanied the creation of this work.
I would like to express my special thanks to my highly esteemed teacher, Professor Dr. Fr. Gerhard Bernhard Winkler O.Cist., who, as Professor of Medieval and Modern Church History at the University of Regensburg, granted me great freedom in the preparation of this diploma thesis and showed me the way through decisive impulses.
I thank the Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Rome, and in particular His Excellency Bailiff Frà Oberto Pallavicini, for permission to use the Biblioteca Magistrale and for providing numerous sources. My thanks also go to the then advisor to the Order's government, Mr. Hans Ludolf von Kotze, and to the librarian, Signora Irene Topai, for their patient support.
My deepest thanks are due to the directors of the Vatican Apostolic Library, in particular His Excellency Archbishop Dr. Stickler, in whose manuscript department I was privileged to study the key sources, as well as to the Rector of the German College at the Vatican, Professor Dr. Erwin Gatz. I am also indebted to the State Archives of the Canton of Aargau, the Bavarian State Archives, the Bavarian State Library, and the University Library of Regensburg.
I owe a special debt of gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Carl Wolfgang Count von Ballestrem, whose personal interest and valuable suggestions significantly advanced my work. I am also grateful for the diverse support and valuable input of Mr. Heinz Himmels (Malteser Relief Service Cologne), Dr. Berthold Count von Waldstein-Wartenberg, Fr. Dr. Adolar Zumkeller OSA, Fr. Stephan Senft OSA, Mother Superior Rose Baroness von Oer, and Valentin Count von Ballestrem (Malteser Relief Service Regensburg).
Finally, I thank Fr. Dominik Conrad O.H., Sr. M. Theresa Brenninkmeijer O.Cist., Fr. Arnold Pirner, as well as my father, Mr. Hans Lagleder, and my brother, Mr. Johannes Lagleder, for their constant support and valuable advice.