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Miniature circular silver medal with integral; loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the arms of the Associazione dei Cavalieri Italiani del Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta e Corpo Militare dell’Esercito dell’Associazione dei Cavalieri Italiani del Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta (Association of Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Military Army Corps of the Association of Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta) within a ring inscribed ‘SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA’ (Sovereign Military Order of Malta); the reverse inscribed ‘PRONTO / SOCCORSO / AI / PELLEGRINI’ above a Maltese cross, all within a ring inscribed ‘ANNO SANTO’ above and ‘ROMA 1975’ below, a diamond shape to either side; diameter 16.51mm (0.65 inch); on replaced correct ribbon. The Medal was instituted by Magistral Decree 15277 of 7 February 1975 to be awarded to Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta who assisted pilgrims to Rome during that year. The tradition of Jubilee (Holy) Years dates back to ancient biblical times - “You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee to you; and you shall return every man to his possession, and you shall return every man to his family” (Leviticus 25, 10-14). Pope Boniface VII instituted the first Christian Jubilee in 1300 through the Papal Bull “Antiquorum Fida Relatio” and the tradition continues. The Medal is not often found.
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