HIS EXCELLENCY
THE GRAND MASTER
HRH Prince François d'Orléans, Count of Dreux
51st Grand Master
The new Grand Master of the Order, after his election to the Extraordinary Grand Chapter General, took the oath in the Maredsous Abbey Church during a solemn and formal ceremony attended by many members of the Order.
The Grand Master is the supreme commander of the Order. He is elected at the General Chapter by an absolute majority. He must be a member of the Order, a Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church and the heir to a noble family. He remains in office until the day of Pentecost in the year of its 75th birthday. He then becomes the Grand Master Emeritus.
The Grand Master is the legal representative of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem and ensures three vocations of the Order: spirituality, charity and tradition. He works for the development and prosperity of the Order. In this he is assisted by members of the Grand Magistry.
During his installation ceremony, the Grand Master vows: “I solemnly promise before Almighty God to honour, respect and observe at all times the holy commandments and assure that they are maintained, honoured and observed to the best of my powers; to administer and manage loyally and faithfully the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem as befits the office and dignity of Grand Master; to respect the Constitutional Charter, the internal regulation, the Statutes and customs of the Order and to ensure that all members respect them; with the help of God.”
To implement the three vocations for the Order, spirituality, charity and tradition, the Grand Master uses the power entrusted by the General Chapter and confirmed by the Protectors. He may delegate this authority by naming Grand Officers, members of the Grand Magistry and Heads of Jurisdiction in the countries where the Order operates.
Only the Grand Master himself has the authority to admit or promote a Knight, a Dame or a priest in the Order. Nobody can be admitted to the Order if the Grand Master objects.