The Tuitio Fidei Award

The Cuban Association of the Order of Malta has instituted the Tuitio Fidei Prize in 2006 to recognize and honor those who through their public actions witness the principles of our Faith. The recipients of the Prize live their life, public and private, consistent with the demands of our Faith notwithstanding the public demand for their actions.

Since its inception in the XIth century, the Order has remained true to its dual founding principles or charisma: Tuitio Fidei, defense of the Faith, and Obsequium Pauperum, service to the suffering. Its members share the same vocation and strive together for solidarity, justice and peace, based on the teaching of the Gospels and in the closest communion with the Holy See.

Less visible today, but no less important, is the commitment of the Order and its members to defense of the Faith – Tuitio Fidei. In the middle ages, when the Order was born, defense of the faith was a very physical and visible task.

With the passage of time, however, the concept of “defense of the faith” has evolved from one requiring the use of force to a one best effected through a public witnessing of one’s faith – a process no less dangerous than the military tactics used before.