Anthem of the Sovereign Order of Malta: Ave Crux Alba
As a sovereign entity of international law, the Sovereign Order of Malta has an official anthem, Ave Crux Alba, alongside its state flag.
Maestro Alfredo Consorti composed it as a triumphal march for the Order of Malta in 1930 and dedicated it to the Grand Master.
In November 1932, as a sign of gratitude, the then Grand Master Fra’ Ludovico Chigi Albani della Rovere issued a motu proprio decree, appointing Maestro Alfredo Consorti a Donat of the Third Class of the Order of Malta.
Shortly after, Ave Crux Alba was adopted as the official anthem of the Sovereign Order of Malta. Today it is customarily played in the presence of the Grand Master during state visits and official occasions.
Albeit the anthem is usually played and not sung, these are the words of the original in Latin and in translation.
Latin
Ave Crux alba, summae pietatis signum,
Ave Crux alba, salutis nostra sola spes,
Corda fidelium inflamma, adauge gratiam, adauge gratiam.
Ut omnia vincat tuorum ardens caritas,
Ut omnia vincat tuorum ardens caritas.
English
Hail, thou White Cross, the highest sign of piety,
Hail, thou White Cross, our only source of health and hope,
Inflame the hearts of the faithful with abundant graces, abundant graces.
With your ardent charity, all things shall be overcome,
With your ardent charity, all things shall be overcome.
