The 24th of June, the feast day of St John the Baptist, is a very important day in our St John Calendar.
Across the globe, St John volunteers, staff, and members of the Order will come together to celebrate the work and many achievements of the Order in offering care and service to our lords, the sick, and the poor, and to acknowledge the hard work given by St John people across the world. St John people and supporters will attend services of Commemoration and Rededication as well as conduct many community activities that all highlight the work of the Order.
St John’s Day is, for many, the day for Investitures, for parades, for flag raising, for buildings and bridges to turn green, red, and yellow, and for the announcement of new projects and ventures.
St John’s Day is not just about the ceremony that combines all the grandeur and pageantry of the Order of St John’s important customs, traditions, and position as a Crown Order of Chivalry, but also to highlight and celebrate the global work of St John today.
What feels most special about this occasion is that whilst we globally all come together under one banner, one eight-pointed white cross, today we will see local celebrations by local people, representing and commemorating the roles they hold in their local communities – reminding us once again that St John’s shared mission to be a global leader in first aid and medical responses to community healthcare needs starts with neighbours; it starts in village halls and community centres; it starts in streets, schools, and youth clubs. It starts with our 200,000+ volunteers who dedicate themselves to the Order’s work. And each of these local activities is done as part of a global family, the Order of St John; and each thing each person does contributes to our global mission. We do this together. We do this as one.
This year’s St John’s Day promises to be a very exciting and busy day. Whilst I will be joining the celebrations here in Canada, members of the International Office will be celebrating in Scotland, London, Gibraltar, and Malta – to name but a few.
Wherever you are today and wherever your local celebration is, I wish you all a very happy St John’s Day, and on behalf of the Order, I offer my warmest and sincerest thanks for the dedication and commitment you all show to your communities and to the Order.
Professor Mark Compton AM GCStJ
Lord Prior
