Catholic Knighthood? Is it relevant in today's society?

[Teek]

My boys saw the Knights of Columbus escorting our Bishop at a diocesan-wide family retreat when they were 4, 6, and 8.

They could not believe they could one day get to have a sword to defend Mary! The Knights were great—totally humored them and a couple showed their ceremonial engraved swords.

They were hooked.

Real live superheroes.

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Why didn’t they stick with SMHOOSJOJORAOM??

Yes, that would definitely defeat the purpose of having a short and easily memorable acronym.

I suppose this is a red herring, but I do wish the KoC would get rid of those hats. (Just my opinion, of course.)

Actually, the KofC recently announced a new 4th Degree formal uniform: look at the KofC main website under news/releases/new-fourth-degree-uniform-faq.

Personally I like the traditional 19th Century military officer hat with cockade, but the new uniform looks classy too, and as mentioned in the justification notes, more affordable for the average joe.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Definitely Like! I think it might make the order a little less dated and more appealing to the younger men.

 

[catholic_knighthood]

I think it might make the order a little less dated and more appealing to the younger men

Most Catholics’ understanding of their Church is derived from their pew on Sundays. One of the reasons I wanted to start this thread was to help the average well-meaning Catholic understand more about the institutional Church, and that there are many avenues and vocations within the Church itself where Catholics can serve so that they don’t feel they need to look outside the Church to fulfill their own calling. My second reason (more obviously) is to dispel some of the myths and conspiracies emanating out of popular media around Catholic Knighthood, to equip Catholics with the truth so they can better defend their faith, and maybe even open a new door of opportunity that someone may never have thought of for themselves.

There is a lot of information available out there, some of it really good, and some of it complete rubbish that makes Dan Brown fiction look tame. In my next post I’ll define more clearly for everyone the different types of ‘Knighthoods’ in existence today within and outside the Church.

 

[Athanasiy]

For some reason I remembered about Don Quixote.
On the one hand, it’s a tragic story, but on the other hand, it is difficult to find in the literature a more magnificent knight’s story than this.
Don Quixote’s are needed.

 

[PJM]

Contact you’re local Knights of Columbus:smile:

God Bless you

Patrick

 

[Bon_Croix]

Red Herrings… Those are a significant contributor to our nation’s/society’s lack of truth.

 

[Bon_Croix]

If I remember the Constitution, there is a prohibition on Officers of the United States from accepting titles of nobility (that would be US Senators/US Reps/President). I don’t know if the courts have ever interpreted this to mean those appointed by the Executive (such as Secretary of Treasury). Literally, I don’t believe it points to Executively appointed officers.

It does not prohibit USA citizens from accepting titles of nobility.

As far as Catholic knights are concerned, Article 1 provision seems to conflict with the Bill of Right’s First Ammendment. Further, if you know history, the Constitution would not be in effect w/o the First Ammendment (which was enacted after the Constitution). So, it’s kind of an unclear area or a catch-22.

Whether it originally intended to prohibit state officers (reps/senators/governors) is unclear to me. Of course, there is lots of conflict in the US Constitution and its ammendments (mainly due to the passing of the 14th Ammendment).

 

[catholic_knighthood]

In my next post I’ll define more clearly for everyone the different types of ‘Knighthoods’ in existence today within and outside the Church.

Sorry for the delay - been busy with work…

So, there’s basically 3 types of official Chivalric Orders of Knighthood currently available to Catholics:

• Catholic Orders of Merit,
• Catholic Orders of Service, and
• Secular Orders (Non-Catholic)

The first of these are The Catholic Orders of Merit. These Orders are specifically awarded by the Pope himself as the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the Holy See to deserving Catholics based on their individual merits - i.e. What have you done for the Church up to now? These are considered personal awards of merit or decorations. These are awarded for past service to the Church and they do not include any continued service obligations. They are (From highest honors to lowest):

1. The Supreme Order of Christ
2. The Order of the Golden Militia or “The Golden Spur”
3. The Order of Pope Pius IX or “The Pian Order”
4. The Order of St. Gregory the Great
5. The Order of St. Sylvester, Pope and Martyr

more to come…

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Next are The Catholic Orders of Service. These Orders are chivalric “Working Orders” as well as personal honors - i.e. What are you willing to do for the Church now? There are currently two officially recognized Catholic Orders, both of them of ancient origin borne out of the First Crusade and originally established as military religious Orders roughly around the same time, circa 1100 AD:

• The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (abv. EOHSJ or OESSH) (Note - the Order’s original name was changed from ‘The Sacred and Military Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem’ in the early 20th century)
• The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (abv. (name removed by moderator) or “Hospitallers”)

Both of these Orders are no longer ‘military’ in that they do not provide soldiers or engage in armed conflict, however they do maintain their own internal para-military rank structures. They are available for Catholic lay persons and clergy alike. Each has distinct purposes and charisms:

The EOHSJ is charged by the Pope to support and defend the Catholic presence in the Holy Land, to aid the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and to promote the well-being of the Christians (and all people) living there. Since 1996 it is the only chivalric order of knighthood of the Vatican City State.

The (name removed by moderator) is a sovereign entity in its own right and governs itself with the Popes approval of their elected leader. The order continues its original Hospitaller (Hospital) work throughout the world providing humanitarian support and relief services to those in need.

These are the only two Catholic Orders of Knighthood officially recognized by the Holy See. Members of these Orders cannot simultaneously belong to any other Orders of Knighthood not officially recognized by the Holy See or other sovereign states. In other words, be wary of self-styled chivalric orders claiming to be Catholic or claiming to be the successors of ancient Catholic orders.

more to come…

 

[catholic_knighthood]

And lastly, there are the Non-Catholic Secular Orders of Knighthood These are legitimate chivalric Orders of Knighthood not directly under the Holy See’s fons honorum or protection. Membership is awarded and governed by the officially recognized sovereigns of other states. Some are Catholic or Christian-oriented, and some are purely secular. Some of these are very old and well known, such as The Most Noble Order of the Garter founded by the British Crown (founded in 1348 AD), and some are very new and just ramping up, such as The Sacred Order of Saint Michael Archangel founded by the recently re-recognized (but historically ancient) Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan (re-recognized approx. 2011).

All of these Orders have their own personalities, purposes, and roles, and contribute positively to society in different ways.

Obviously the question arises of The Knights of Columbus (KofC). Aren’t they also a Catholic Order of Knighthood?

By definition, the official word is No, however, this being said, the KofC is one of the largest and most visibly active Catholic lay associations of faithful in the world. Their core purposes and the expectations for their members do exemplify a modern form of chivalric behavior, works of charity, and a type of brotherhood akin to the earliest associations of knights more commonly known as ‘Knights Bachelor’.

The KofC was founded in America in 1882 by a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, Father Michael J. McGivney. It was originally founded as a fraternal mutual-benefit society for Catholic men, and has since matured into a wonderful example of an international Catholic non-profit charitable organization.

The KofC knights we see in uniform belong to their “4th Degree Assemblies”. This degree is the “Patriotic Degree” of membership and acts as Honor Guards during Catholic liturgies and other public events.

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Thank you and thank you for your service to our Church!

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Now that we’ve got the types of Catholic Knighthood down, I’d like to discuss more in depth some of the attributes, roles, and charisms of the Knightly vocation, and why I think the idea of a resurgence in Catholic Knighthood is extremely important for today’s society and the Church.

The first (and probably most apparent) role of a Catholic Knight is that of Defender of the Faith. This term has multiple connotations, but is exemplified here by the following attributes:

• Understanding. You cannot truly defend something you don’t understand. Catholic Knights aspire to seek the knowledge and wisdom that allows them to heed the words of 1 Peter 3:15, …“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,”
• Courage. To speak and act with boldness and courage in defense of Christ, His Church, and the People of God. Provided by the Holy Spirit, a special charism of Courage and Commitment is imparted and made available to the Catholic Knight during their vigil at arms and holy investiture.
• Obedience. Knights offer their allegiance to the sovereign who provides the Font of Honor for their vocation. Obedience is not blind following. It is the continuous acceptance and participation in your commission as far as it relates to following Truth. Catholic Knights are expected to adhere to the teachings of their Church as espoused by the one who founded it, our Lord Jesus. They are expected to embrace this deposit of faith as handed down from His Apostles and their legitimate successors.

more to come…

 

[TK421]

catholic_knighthood:

For those who don’t know - ‘(name removed by moderator)’ is the acronym for the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta

Why didn’t they stick with SMHOOSJOJORAOM??

Laughed out loud

 

[CharlesFulkerson]

Does this include the Knights of Columbus and self proclaimed “warriors of Christ”?

 

[CharlesFulkerson]

Those swords are really nice. One of the knights at my parish has a collection of all different swords form the knights. As well as a whole bunch of other really cool ones that have nothing to do with the knights.

Most of those guys are really nice people. I respect them all.

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Does this include the Knights of Columbus and self proclaimed “warriors of Christ”?

Hi Charles,
See my earlier posts above on the types of current Knighthoods in regards the KofC. Not sure I understand what you mean by self proclaimed warriors of Christ.

 

[catholic_knighthood]

Another role is that of Herald of the Faith which is exemplified by:

• Visibility. Knights visibly represent their sovereign and their sovereign’s message.

The visible regalia of the Catholic Knight is unmistakable. It is designed to be a beacon in the night for those to see. Like a moth drawn to the flame, the presence of the Knight is meant to draw those in darkness to the light of Truth. While some would argue humility dictates that the Christian not array themselves with temporal trappings so as not to call undo attention to their acts of charity and service, the Catholic Knight’s presence in uniform signals others that their acts of charity and service are directed by their faith in God, (whether spoken or in silence), and undertaken in response to the call of their sovereign to serve others, not vainglory.

This visibility can best be described with these words of Jesus taught as part of His discourse on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

The Catholic Knight’s visibility in the community is meant to herald the Gospel of Jesus, the sovereign of the world, and to draw and inspire others to undertake similar works of faith. It is something to be embraced and admired by the People of God, not “hidden under a bushel”.

 

[Teek]

The Catholic Knight’s visibility in the community is meant to herald the Gospel of Jesus, the sovereign of the world, and to draw and inspire others to undertake similar works of faith. It is something to be embraced and admired by the People of God, not “hidden under a bushel”.

Most of the Knights (of Columbus) in my Parish, all of the ones I know, really, are exactly that. They participate more in the Parish life, are active with their families and in the community, and are really good people, trying hard to do God’s will in a difficult culture. I admire them very much!

I suppose, if I were to answer the OP question, I would say that it is not only still relevant, but it is necessary and beautiful!

 

[Augustinian]

The KofC uses the term “knight” in their name, but has nothing really to do with knighthood, which was a military order.

Wearing uniforms which are reminiscent of those of knights isn’t the same.

The KofC is a fraternal organization, and has no more in common with knighthood than Freemasons have to do with the building trades.