Ceremonies of the Order:

The general assembly and business meeting of the Order is called a Convent. Convents are open to the public but are not generally advertised. The convent is typically conducted in a church or cathedral setting. It incorporates ceremonial activities believed to be reminiscent of the ancient Order. Most often, a convent will incorporate non-denominational Christian worship, the induction of new members, promotions and awards, and any general business of the specific Priory or that of the Grand Priory if it is a Grand Convent. The convent is a rather glorious event that typically displays both the grandiose ceremonies of chivalry and the solemnity of sacred worship. Typically, the convent begins with a formal procession often accompanied by music. In the case of my home Priory, this is a Scottish march performed by a full Pipe and Drum Corp. The clergy of the Order bearing the symbolic cross of the Order leads the procession, followed by the Sword Bearer and the banners of the Order and those of the specific priory. The membership follows according to rank and position within the Priory or the Order. Once all the members are in position, the formal convent is called to order. Unless a representative of the Grand Priory is present, the local Prior presides and typically conducts the agenda of the convent.

The induction of new members is particularly reminiscent of the ancient traditions of knighthood. Those to be inducted into the Order are presented before the assembly and sustained by the membership present. They then receive the oath of knighthood of the Order usually administered by an officer known as the Chief of Protocol. One at a time, they are brought into the sanctuary of the church. Kneeling before the altar, the presiding officer pronounces the accolade of knighthood with the traditional taps of the sword upon each shoulder and the bowed head of the postulant. The postulant is made a Knight or Dame of the Order in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The accolade can be pronounced in English but is often done in French or Latin as per ancient custom. While yet kneeling, knights place spurs upon heels of the Postulant. He is then raised up to standing by the presiding officer. The insignia of the Order is placed around his neck and he is draped in the mantle of the Order. He or she then takes their place among the knights and dames of the order present in the convent. This process is repeated until all the postulants have been invested into the Order.

Our Priory incorporates the old knightly traditions of heraldry and encourages each member to become armigerous. The heraldic shield of each member is prominently displayed if they are present at the convent. This has seemed to greatly add to the general ambience of the meetings of the Priory and further serves to emphasize the ancient traditions from which the Order came. Certainly the chivalric pageantry of the Order is justly maintained with such ceremonial detail.

While not specifically incorporated into the policies of the Order, many Priories conduct a traditional knightly vigil the evening prior to a convent. This is highly variable between individual Priories and so I can only speak from the reference of the home Priory through which I practice. In this instance, a solemn vigil is incorporated into the requirements of postulancy. The vigil begins at 5 PM and goes to midnight the evening before a scheduled convent. The Vigil provides the opportunity for the postulant to become completely oriented to the workings and directions of the Order. It provides ample time for individual prayer and meditation. It instructs the postulant in the history and etiquette of the Order. It includes activities that instill into the postulants mind the seriousness and solemnity of the knightly vow and the lifelong commitment it entails. This vigil is conducted in a very monastic fashion and leans towards the spiritual aspects of the Order and the day to day practice of Templarism. It includes instruction in spiritual exercises that increase Christian faith and charity. It serves to bind the postulant to the existing membership in a unity of purpose within the Order.

An Order of Chivalry:

The Order is patterned in similar style to the other functional or working orders of chivalry. The Order considers itself to be an order of chivalry and therefore conforms to the general pattern of such Orders. This single point probably does more to differentiate the SMOTJ from all the other claimants to the title of Knights Templar than other comparisons that might be drawn. Even when comparing the SMOTJ to the Masonic Order of Knights Templar, one striking difference is the ambience portrayed by the SMOTJ as being a traditional Order of Chivalry. In this regard, greater parallels can be found comparing the SMOTJ to the modern orders of St. Lazarus, the Hospitallers of St. John, and other such orders of chivalry.

This is considered by the members of the Order to be a very significant point. The concepts of chivalry are generally considered to be fairly established and exhibited through the established knightly orders of the world. Knighthood has traditionally been considered the pinnacle of the gentry class of society. Certainly the concept of social strata as existing in times past is no longer politically correct in the Western mind, nor does it exist in the same context of times past, especially in the USA. Nevertheless, the ideals of chivalry are still considered to be the finer qualities associated with a traditional gentleman. It is those very ideals that are embraced by those who embrace traditional knighthood, whether through the SMOTJ, the Venerable Order of St. John, the Order of St. Lazarus, or any of the other orders of chivalry still present in the world.

Discussions along this line can and do comprise volumes. However the point of traditional chivalry being housed within established orders of chivalry is not likely to receive much criticism from the Chivalrists of the world. It is a point that is usually absent from the various Templar entities out there. Yet it simply must be considered in any comprehensive discussion of ancient or contemporary knighthood. For a person calling himself a knight, there are and always have been certain specific criteria attached to the title, if he is to be taken seriously within the chivalric and noble community.

This is not to say the SMOTJ has not been challenged in this regard, nor to say that it will not continue to be challenged. The opinion along these lines within the Order is mixed as well. There are many who feel the SMOTJ meets all the criteria of a recognizable order of chivalry while there are those that contend that such is not the case and would make the comparison between the SMOTJ and organizations such as the Lions Club. This again represents a debate that has been present for 200 years or longer and will likely continue.

A person can practice chivalry without a knightly title and those with the title may not be chivalrous. But, just because you are chivalrous does not entitle you to the title. The bottom line fact of the issue is, that if you do not receive the title from a recognized order of chivalry or some person possessing a recognized "fons honorum", you do not hold a valid title. That is not my opinion, but rather a simple statement of fact. Does the SMOTJ bestow a "valid" knighthood ? In some circles yes and in some circles no.

Continue to Part Four