Charitable Work


The Order of Saint Lazarus was originally created by the militarisation of an order of monks, who, as followers of St Basil, had chosen to work amongst those suffering from leprosy. During the time of the crusades all knights of the great military orders found to be suffering from the dreaded disease of leprosy were forced by their own rules to leave their order. As most were warrior monks, and still quite able to fight, they usually joined their confreres under the banner of Saint Lazarus. The early Grand Masters of the Order were themselves amongst those so afflicted. These knights, who classed themselves as "living dead", while never large in number, were ferocious in battle, always choosing to die rather than face surrender.

Today the Order is still heavily involved with the relief of leprosy. In Ireland. the Order works in conjunction with the Leprosy Mission Ireland to provide funds for the care of leprosy patients The World Health Organisation currently estimates that there are fifteen million sufferers today, of whom only three and a half million are receiving any form of treatment.

In addition to our work with the Leprosy Mission Ireland, the Grand Priory of Ireland may choose to support a local or International charity, such as a hospice or one benefitting children or the aged, or occasionally make a donation to an international charity with which its members may have a specific link.

The Christian foundation of the Order requires members to pray for its work and those it supports.

Projects Supported by St Lazarus Ireland Fund Raising 2015-2017

Operation Smile Ireland

At Operation Smile Ireland, we measure ourselves by the joy we see on children's faces. We're more than a charity. More than an NGO. We're a mobilised force of medical professionals and caring hearts who provide safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate.

Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft — often unable to eat, speak, socialise or smile. In some places these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life.

That's where we come in. Since 1982, Operation Smile— through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided free surgeries to children in more than 50 countries, healing their smiles and bringing hope for a better future.

Nyumbani Kenya

Nyumbani was founded in 1992 by the late Father Angelo D’Agostino, S.J., M.D., a physician, psychiatrist and Jesuit priest, Nyumbani is the realization of his dream to address the challenges caused by the unprecedented decimation of an entire generation of Kenyans. His search for practical and sustainable solutions to one of the worst tragedies in human history has won his work a worldwide following.

Nyumbani Executive Director Sister Mary Owens, IBVM, who shared Father D’Agostino’s dream from the beginning, provides continuing leadership and inspiration for all the Nyumbani programs. Sister Mary leads a staff of professionals and volunteers in the day-to-day operation of the Nyumbani programs.

Nyumbani relies on the support of donations from people of compassion around the world. Non-profit boards have been created in Kenya, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, and Spain to support Nyumbani and assist in building sustainable communities for children infected with and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.


Food for Life Vrindivan India

Food for Life Vrindivan India which Provides Education - Food and health Care for some of the poorest families in Uttar Pradesh