A History of Caring
THE WHITE CROSS
For almost 1000 years, the white cross of the Order of St. John has meant service to others.
The white cross was adopted in the 11th Century by Benedictine monks who cared for the sick injured in the Holy City Jerusalem. From these beginnings of service to Christian pilgrims, the Order of St. John was born.
The
four arms of the cross symbolize the Christian virtues
of Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude. The points
of the cross represent the eight Beatitudes of the Sermon
on the Mount, which praise the spiritual strength of the
underprivileged and those who work for peace and the relief
of suffering. The whiteness of the cross symbolizes the
purity of life required of those who wear the emblem.
St. John Ambulance in Canada is recognized by the white
cross on a black background, superimposed on the maple
leaf. The Order of St. John continues the hospitaller traditions of the knights in its work today as a worldwide non-profit, non-denominational, charitable organization, committed to the service of others. St. John Ambulance is one of two foundations of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. The other foundation is the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem, which specializes in the research and treatment of eye diseases, and which St. John Ambulance in Canada supports.
A HISTORY OF CARING
St. John Ambulance in Canada is divided into two groups. Through the Association and the Brigade, St. John Ambulance is committed to enabling Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service.
The St. John Ambulance Association is a network of medical professionals and program development specialists who develop first aid and health promotion courses, which are taught by approximately 7,000 trained instructors to hundreds of thousands of Canadians each year.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade is a group of nearly 13,000 uniformed volunteers who serve their community in many ways, from providing first aid at public events to raising the spirits of seniors at retirement homes.
THE BEGINNINGS
In
a time of war and persecution, one thousand years after
the birth of Christ, a united force was growing in the
Holy Land. For centuries, Christian pilgrims made the
formidable journey on foot from all parts of Christendom
to the Holy City of Jerusalem. From at least as early
as 600 AD, the Holy City had offered a resting-place for
the weary and persecuted pilgrims. The hostels for pilgrims,
which offered care of the sick as well as accommodation,
were very much at the mercy of existing rulers. The hostels
were destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries,
depending on the state of Christian/Muslim relations.
Four hundred years later, all Christian buildings in Jerusalem
were destroyed. In 1080 a new hospital for pilgrims was
founded. Attended by Benedictine monks, who took the emblem
of the white Cross as their symbol, the hospital was the
rallying point for the unified force that became the first
order of chivalry in the world. Warrior knights from across
Europe came to the aid of their fellow Christians and
joined the monks under the banner of the eight-pointed
white cross. The bloody and bitter struggles of the Middle Ages shaped the development of the Order of St. John from hospitallers and knights in the Holy Land, to a vital naval force in the Mediterranean. Forced to move from one stronghold to another over the centuries, the Order established a hospital in each new homeland. By the nineteenth century, the Order was solely devoted to acts of charity.
CENTURIES OF CHANGE
One thousand years of history make the Order of St. John part of the oldest charitable organization in the world, which has adapted time and again to the circumstances of the day.
1080
Benedictine monks serve in the Jerusalem hospital. Abandoning all worldly possessions they adopt as a uniform a simple robe and white cross.
1095
The first Crusade or Holy War begins.
1099
The Crusaders capture Jerusalem. The Benedictine monks care for the sick and wounded, rich and poor alike. The grateful Crusaders bestow land and buildings on the hospital.
1113
The hospital is reorganized into the Order of Hospitallers, whose patron saint is St. John the Baptist.
1119
The Order assumes military protection of the pilgrims, but maintains its hospital function. Members later become known as the Knights of St. John or the Knights Hospitallers.
1291
Acre, the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land is lost to the Muslims. Two centuries of heroic and faithful Christian endeavour in the Holy Land, by the Hospitallers who wear the white cross, comes to an end. The Knights sail to Cyprus to regroup.
1309
The Knights Hospitaller attack and capture Rhodes, notorious as a base for pirates preying upon Mediterranean shipping. They establish a new hospital and headquarters and begin building a fleet of galleys. For 200 years the hospitallers become the protectors of Christian shipping in the Mediterranean.
1522
The Knights lose Rhodes when they capitulate to the Turks after a battle that lasts for six months. The Knights look for a new home for the Order.
1530
Emperor Charles V offers the island of Malta to the Knights. Threatened with annihilation by the Turks they begin to fortify the island.
1565
The Knights turn back the Turks at the Great Siege of Malta, in which they are outnumbered four to one.
1798
Napoleon captures Malta, ending the military activities of the Order of St. John. The Knights of St. John no longer wage war, but devote themselves to charity.
1870
The Order of St. John in England offers to do ambulance work in the field during the Franco-Prussian War.
1877
The Order in England forms the St. John Ambulance Association to teach first aid, home nursing and related subjects.
1887
Volunteers in the St. John Ambulance Association form the St. John Ambulance Brigade, echoing the traditions of the highly-disciplined and military knights.
1888
Queen Victoria grants a Royal Charter to the Order.
EARLY DAYS IN CANADA
The
eight-pointed white cross of the order of St. John came
to Canada in the days of Champlain as can be seen at the
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec. A large stone
engraved with the cross, dated 1647, is housed in a wall
of the hotel. Knights of Malta held high positions in New France, including the Governor of Quebec from 1636 to 1648. In 1635, the Lieutenant-General of Acadia (today's Maritime Provinces), applied to the Knight's headquarters in Malta to organize a branch of the Order at Port Royal. Committed to fortifying Malta, the headquarters could not help out financially, and the plan for a base in Acadia was abandoned. It would be another 250 years before the modern Order was established in Canada.
CHANGES IN EUROPE
Meanwhile, back in Europe, the Order's role slowly began to change. In 1798, with the capture of Malta, the Order ceased its military activities. After a revival of the Order of St. John, the modern role of the Order in the 19th century began to emerge. In 1870, the Order pledged itself to provide voluntary aid to the sick and wounded in war. During the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1872), 200 surgeons, nurses and other workers devoted themselves to the care of stricken soldiers on behalf of the Order of St. John. In 1877, the Order of St. John inaugurated the St. John Ambulance Association "to train men and women for benefit of sick and wounded." Courses in first aid for the general public began. Five years later, training was available in Canada.
TO CANADA AGAIN
The St. John Ambulance Association began giving first aid courses in Quebec City in the winter of 1882-1883. Soon, courses were offer in Kingston, Ontario, and by 1892, there were 12 branches of St. John Ambulance in Canada, from coast to coast. In 1909, St. John Ambulance helped Canadian Pacific Railways launch its first aid program for employees at the Angus Shops in Montreal.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade grew in Canada alongside the developing Association. The first St. John Ambulance Brigade division for men was formed in London, Ontario, in 1909. In 1912, a woman's nursing division was formed in Toronto. Since then, the Brigade has served the community through involvement in both World Wars and emergencies such as the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918; the Springhill, Nova Scotia, mine disasters of 1956 and 1958; the train derailment in Mississauga, Ontario, in 1979; the tornado in Barrie, Ontario, in 1985; and the Westray Mine disaster in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, in 1992.
TRAINING FOR LIFE
The St. John Ambulance Association has grown into a network that develops and provides training for all stages of life. Because of shrinking health care budgets, St. John Ambulance is encouraging Canadians to take more responsibility for their own health and safety. Teaching new parents emergency first aid and child care. Preparing young adults for babysitting jobs. Teaching first aid in the workplace, and teaching seniors how to live independently are just some of the ways that the Association is responding. Courses are updated in keeping with the latest protocols and current principles of training. Programs can be tailored to meet the needs of special interest groups including people in high risk occupations and remote areas.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM
St. John Ambulance today is as committed to the service of the community as it was when the hospitallers gave service to Christian pilgrims almost one thousand years ago. The modern-day knights of St. John Ambulance are its Brigade members, who volunteer their time and skills to many community-based programs. The Brigade has grown to over 500 divisions across the country, volunteering over two million hours a year to community service. Most visibly, Brigade members provide first aid at public events, but they also help in retirement homes and child care centres, collect food, patrol bicycle paths, provide backup for disasters, and run canteen services.
The Brigade has special programs for young people: Juniors (ages 8-10), Cadets (ages 11-15) and Crusaders (ages 16-20). The Juniors learn St. John Ambulance first aid, health promotion and safety skills to earn certificates and badges. The Cadets work toward the Grand Prior's Award by learning life skills such as wilderness survival, nutrition, health, camping, astronomy and team sports. Crusaders continue gaining knowledge and skills, especially the leadership skills that will help them go on to become adult members of the Brigade.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Remaining true to its tradition of chivalry, St. John Ambulance still recognizes bravery and commitment to service through a series of honours and awards. The Order of St. John is an honour that has been bestowed upon more than 7,700 Canadians who have demonstrated loyalty and service to the organization. As well as honouring Brigade members and other volunteers, St. John Ambulance recognizes the bravery of any Canadian with its Lifesaving Awards.
MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER
St. John Ambulance has developed a range of services and commitments to community that reach far beyond the first roles of the Order. Yet, the voluntary and humanitarian principles that inspired the warrior-knights are more relevant than ever and are guiding the development of programs that will touch many parts of Canadian life. St. John Ambulance continues to minister to spiritual and physical needs in very real and relevant ways all across the country: the Hug a Tree and Survive program in Newfoundland teaches forest-proofing to kids; in many regions Brigade members bring therapy dogs to visit hospitals and nursing homes; and, across the country, Branches are joining hands with local service agencies and municipal services to run summer safety camps for children and other programs.
After 1000 years, St. John Ambulance remains loyal to its roots of charity and service. As part of a worldwide organization, St. John Ambulance in Canada is dedicated to improving the health, safety and quality of life of all Canadians.
For more information about courses or how you can get involved, contact us at (519) 432-1352 or your local St. John Ambulance office.
