Are you right to say that the number of professed knights (the "Fras" - or Fraters - as you call them) has declined over the past decades? I rather thought the number had incresed under Fra Andrew Bertie and Fra' Matthew Festing.
Also, is 70 a particularly old age nowdays, when we are told we might live until 100 years old? It's worth remembering that a vocation to the professed life in the Order of Malta isn't the same as becoming a priest or a religious in an "ordinary" manner. First, the candidate will have reached a stage in life (and status, if not able to make a "noble proof" - the strictness of which differs from country to country) where he might seek admission to the Order in the Third Class. I don't know the average age of admission, but I'd guess at 35. Then he'd get a feel for what has is going on, find out if the charism of the Order is his "thing" and discern his vocation.(several choose to join other religious orders or approach the diocese). To become a professed knight he must be financially self-supporting, and perhaps this will add several years to his preparation. My guess is that most postulants to the First Class, i.e. the professed, the Fras, will be well into their 40s, and often considerably older. There are then several years before making the final profession. I think my point is that it doesn't really matter how old the chap is.
Are you right to say that the number of professed knights (the "Fras" - or Fraters - as you call them) has declined over the past decades? I rather thought the number had incresed under Fra Andrew Bertie and Fra' Matthew Festing.
Also, is 70 a particularly old age nowdays, when we are told we might live until 100 years old? It's worth remembering that a vocation to the professed life in the Order of Malta isn't the same as becoming a priest or a religious in an "ordinary" manner. First, the candidate will have reached a stage in life (and status, if not able to make a "noble proof" - the strictness of which differs from country to country) where he might seek admission to the Order in the Third Class. I don't know the average age of admission, but I'd guess at 35. Then he'd get a feel for what has is going on, find out if the charism of the Order is his "thing" and discern his vocation.(several choose to join other religious orders or approach the diocese). To become a professed knight he must be financially self-supporting, and perhaps this will add several years to his preparation. My guess is that most postulants to the First Class, i.e. the professed, the Fras, will be well into their 40s, and often considerably older. There are then several years before making the final profession. I think my point is that it doesn't really matter how old the chap is.
I'd be interested to see the rule of life and constitutions for the fras.