militia templi

[sir_percival]

Can anyone tell me about a lay association for traditional Catholics called Militia Templi? I was browsing their webpage, but they seem to have a bigger presence in Europe, and their US webpage isn’t too helpful. Maybe someone on here’s a member or knows someone who belonged? They seem to be in good standing w/ the Church, but I sometimes am a little wary of trad groups w/ which I’m not familiar. Are there any other Opus Dei-like associations that exclusively or predominately use the traditional Latin Mass? Thanks!

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia_Templi

Despite the bishop confirming a member in the photo on Wikipedia, I believe it to be one of the many bogus Templar orders. :nope:

 

[sir_percival]

Why do you think it’s bogus? I have to admit I have my reservations as well… I’ve never heard any fellow trads EVER mention them, and there seems something a little theatrical about the whole thing.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

Why do you think it’s bogus? I have to admit I have my reservations as well… I’ve never heard any fellow trads EVER mention them, and there seems something a little theatrical about the whole thing.

Unless one is a head of state, you cannot create an order of chivalry. The Templars were disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312. Some of those knights were absorbed by other religious and military orders, such as Malta etc. Others were taken in by the king of Portugal under the Order of Christ. None “escaped” to Scotland and continued the order. The Templars are defunct, and anyone claiming to be them or represent them are either con-artists, fools, or deluded. :nope:

 

[sir_percival]

I don’t think they claim to be a continuation of the historic chivalric order; I think they use the trappings of the Knights Templar to create an association for traditional Catholic men which is more intense than a confraternity (for example, they say the Divine Office and make vows, which I assume aren’t binding under sin, since they’re laymen, but not a full-fledged religious order). It all sounds very appealing, but I can’t seem to find much info about them, and that makes me nervous.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

I don’t think they claim to be a continuation of the historic chivalric order; I think they use the trappings of the Knights Templar to create an association for traditional Catholic men which is more intense than a confraternity (for example, they say the Divine Office and make vows, which I assume aren’t binding under sin, since they’re laymen, but not a full-fledged religious order). It all sounds very appealing, but I can’t seem to find much info about them, and that makes me nervous.

Looking at the “grand master’s” coat of arms, he quarters I assume his own arms with that of the Templars. This is suspicious. They wear the insignia and jewel of the Templars. Again suspicious. Most importantly, the Templars are officially defunct. None of the other bogus Templar “orders” are religious orders either. I wonder what the cost to join and the annual dues are to belong to this group…

 

[sir_percival]

Yeah, I see your point… I guess I was hoping . Knights and traditional Catholicism… my 2 great passions. Sigh.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

Yeah, I see your point… I guess I was hoping . Knights and traditional Catholicism… my 2 great passions. Sigh.

Could be worse… you could have joined.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Actually, that particular group is perfectly legitimate. It follows the traditional Tridentine Rite and has approval by the Church.

While they base themselves on the Templar tradition, they do not claim to be an extension of the Templars or anything of the sort.

The Templars were a Catholic Order that were much maligned by the King of France etc. as we know.

It is high time for the historical Catholic Templars to be rehabilitated by their Church and it is also high time for the Templar Martyrs who died in the holy Land to be given the honours of the altar e.g. 80 Templars taken captive at the Battle of Hatteen were led before a large Cross by their Saracen captors and told to spit on it. When they refused, they were beheaded. And all were beheaded.

Templars, although warriors, and based their military Rule on that written for them by St Bernard of Clairvaux.

When Jacques de Molay, the last Templar Grand Master, was about to be burned at the stake on the Seines, he asked to be tied so that he faced the Cathedral and so that his hands were tied together in the prayer position.

Other Grand Masters died in atrocious conditions in Saracen prisons for refusing to deny their Lord and Saviour.

I was to join this group, but declined as I am already a Benedictine Oblate.

Non nobis, No nobis, sed Tuo Nomine da Gloria!!

Alex

 

[sir_percival]

Thank you for the info, Alex. Can you tell me anything about how to inquire about info or anything about what the group does exactly? It seems to me as if they’re a bit like Opus Dei but dedicated to the traditional Mass. Their US webpage is very vague and sketchy (I can’t even tell where they have chapters or anything)… that’s why I had my doubts that they were approved by the Church or whether or not they actually had any presence outside the internet.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

Actually, that particular group is perfectly legitimate. It follows the traditional Tridentine Rite and has approval by the Church.

While they base themselves on the Templar tradition, they do not claim to be an extension of the Templars or anything of the sort.

The Templars were a Catholic Order that were much maligned by the King of France etc. as we know.

It is high time for the historical Catholic Templars to be rehabilitated by their Church and it is also high time for the Templar Martyrs who died in the holy Land to be given the honours of the altar e.g. 80 Templars taken captive at the Battle of Hatteen were led before a large Cross by their Saracen captors and told to spit on it. When they refused, they were beheaded. And all were beheaded.

Templars, although warriors, and based their military Rule on that written for them by St Bernard of Clairvaux.

When Jacques de Molay, the last Templar Grand Master, was about to be burned at the stake on the Seines, he asked to be tied so that he faced the Cathedral and so that his hands were tied together in the prayer position.

Other Grand Masters died in atrocious conditions in Saracen prisons for refusing to deny their Lord and Saviour.

I was to join this group, but declined as I am already a Benedictine Oblate.

Non nobis, No nobis, sed Tuo Nomine da Gloria!!

Alex

Thanks for the history lesson. I am not aware that this group has church approval. All I have seen so far is papal blessings, which does not amount to official approval. I suggest sticking with the Benedictines.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Thanks for the history lesson. I am not aware that this group has church approval. All I have seen so far is papal blessings, which does not amount to official approval. I suggest sticking with the Benedictines.

I have every intention of sticking with the Benedictines!

Alex

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Thank you for the info, Alex. Can you tell me anything about how to inquire about info or anything about what the group does exactly? It seems to me as if they’re a bit like Opus Dei but dedicated to the traditional Mass. Their US webpage is very vague and sketchy (I can’t even tell where they have chapters or anything)… that’s why I had my doubts that they were approved by the Church or whether or not they actually had any presence outside the internet.

It would be best to obtain this directly from your parish priest or diocesan bishop. And whatever they say goes, as always!

Cheers,

Alex

 

[jravago]

Thank you for the info, Alex. Can you tell me anything about how to inquire about info or anything about what the group does exactly? It seems to me as if they’re a bit like Opus Dei but dedicated to the traditional Mass. Their US webpage is very vague and sketchy (I can’t even tell where they have chapters or anything)… that’s why I had my doubts that they were approved by the Church or whether or not they actually had any presence outside the internet.

Militia Templi is a legitimate organization. During my last visit to Rome, I had the pleasure and honor to visit with them and dine with the Grand Master. If you are in the states, they have members in the U.S. and two chaplains, one was the assistant to Bishop of Rockford, Illinois and the other chaplain was the MC for the Bishop of Richmond, VA (I think that is the correct diocese). The Grand Master explained to me that the life in the Order is very difficult and I see why…you have to pray the Divine Office and attend Mass wearing your habit. Also, there is 3 year discernment period. I really admire what they do. I have had the honor of being invested in the Sacred Constantinian Military Order of St. George, which is an ancient Order of Knighthood and our spiritual direction and mission of defending the Church is not as intense as the one advocated by the Militia Templi. I can forward you their contact here in the U.S.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

Militia Templi is a legitimate organization. During my last visit to Rome, I had the pleasure and honor to visit with them and dine with the Grand Master. If you are in the states, they have members in the U.S. and two chaplains, one was the assistant to Bishop of Rockford, Illinois and the other chaplain was the MC for the Bishop of Richmond, VA (I think that is the correct diocese). The Grand Master explained to me that the life in the Order is very difficult and I see why…you have to pray the Divine Office and attend Mass wearing your habit. Also, there is 3 year discernment period. I really admire what they do. I have had the honor of being invested in the Sacred Constantinian Military Order of St. George, which is an ancient Order of Knighthood and our spiritual direction and mission of defending the Church is not as intense as the one advocated by the Militia Templi. I can forward you their contact here in the U.S.

Which Sacred Constantinian Order of St. George? There are several, with two being legit, at least until they figure out which duke is the actual inheritor of the right to be Grand Master. As far as bishops et al being involved, there are bishops involved with the Order of St. Lazarus, an order listed as bogus by the Vatican. The creator of the Templars as a religious order was the Pope in 1169, and his office disbanded it after the death of Jacques deMolay. If the order was to be revived, it would have to come from the Papacy (which it will not). If the present “grand master” is the revivalist, then it’s just sad.

 

[jravago]

Which Sacred Constantinian Order of St. George? There are several, with two being legit, at least until they figure out which duke is the actual inheritor of the right to be Grand Master. As far as bishops et al being involved, there are bishops involved with the Order of St. Lazarus, an order listed as bogus by the Vatican. The creator of the Templars as a religious order was the Pope in 1169, and his office disbanded it after the death of Jacques deMolay. If the order was to be revived, it would have to come from the Papacy (which it will not). If the present “grand master” is the revivalist, then it’s just sad.

I am part of the Franco-Neopolitan branch with fidelity to Prince Carlo Duke of Castro. Hopefully they sort it out. It may be easier than sorting out who is the rightful heir to France. I am offended when freemasons claim they are descendants of the Templars. That is another topic.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

I am part of the Franco-Neopolitan branch with fidelity to Prince Carlo Duke of Castro. Hopefully they sort it out. It may be easier than sorting out who is the rightful heir to France. I am offended when freemasons claim they are descendants of the Templars. That is another topic.

Masonic Templars and Knights of Malta… don’t get me going on them…

 

[Alexander_Roman]

The Militia Templi truly is a legitimate RC order and as its website confirms, they make no claim to being descendants or a “revival” of the Templars, even though they do follow a revised Templar rule.

Bl Pope John Paul II did grant them certain indulgences, as the website shows.

Their calendar is interesting as it has many of the originall Templar commemorations, including the only Templar saint (so far) - Bl. John of Montfort (May 24th) who died of his battle wounds on Cyprus where, to this day, he is venerated locally by the . . . Greek Orthodox on the island . . .!

Another interesting commemoration is St Galganus the Hermit who was said to have thrust a sword into a rock and the connection with the Arthurian legend . . .

This group does commemorate the “martyrdom of the last Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay” and other Templar Knights on March 18th (including Geoffroi de Chancey whose family inherited the Shroud of Turin).

They are devoted to the pre-Vatican II Daily Office and the Tridentine Liturgy and they have members around the world.

Alex

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

The Militia Templi truly is a legitimate RC order and as its website confirms, they make no claim to being descendants or a “revival” of the Templars, even though they do follow a revised Templar rule.

Bl Pope John Paul II did grant them certain indulgences, as the website shows.

Their calendar is interesting as it has many of the originall Templar commemorations, including the only Templar saint (so far) - Bl. John of Montfort (May 24th) who died of his battle wounds on Cyprus where, to this day, he is venerated locally by the . . . Greek Orthodox on the island . . .!

Another interesting commemoration is St Galganus the Hermit who was said to have thrust a sword into a rock and the connection with the Arthurian legend . . .

This group does commemorate the “martyrdom of the last Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay” and other Templar Knights on March 18th (including Geoffroi de Chancey whose family inherited the Shroud of Turin).

They are devoted to the pre-Vatican II Daily Office and the Tridentine Liturgy and they have members around the world.

Alex

This is basically the same argument you posted previously. Whether JP II gave them indulgences, they practice the Tridentine Liturgy, venerate a Templar saint etc. does not mean anything regarding an established Church Order, nor does it impart legitimacy. Last time I checked, the “Templars” were not on the official list of valid orders of chivalry recognized by the Vatican.

 

[Warrenton]

Unless one is a head of state, you cannot create an order of chivalry. The Templars were disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312. Some of those knights were absorbed by other religious and military orders, such as Malta etc. Others were taken in by the king of Portugal under the Order of Christ. None “escaped” to Scotland and continued the order. The Templars are defunct, and anyone claiming to be them or represent them are either con-artists, fools, or deluded. :nope:

Only certain heads of state could create an order of chilvary. The Prez, for instance, cannot, because he cannot knight anyone or enoble anyone.

While the Templars are defunct, their memory can be inspirational. There would be nothing inherently bad about a group of men organized in their memory and copying some of their practices.