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Who May Join
We
accept applications from all non-Masonic baptized Christians.
Because there is confusion over Masonic Knights Templar and non-Masonic
Knights Templar, our Order reached an agreement with the Grand Lodge of Scotland
that proscribes Masons from joining us, and non-Masonic Templars from joining
the Masons.
Men
and women eighteen years of age and older are eligible for membership in the
Order, as are young men and women 16 years of age or older who have a parent in
the Order.
Applicants
must submit to a background investigation to determine their suitability for
membership. References must be furnished, as well as an affirmation by the
applicant’s priest or pastor that he or she has made a visible effort to
follow the teachings and example of our Lord. The fact that an applicant may have committed a crime in the past is not
necessarily a bar to membership, but the deliberate withholding of any adverse
information will be grounds for non-admittance. We do stress, however, that there is no inherent right to be admitted to
the Order: we reserve the right to reject any applicant whom we do not believe
possesses the requisite character and spiritual attributes for knighthood.
Once
the applicant has been tentatively approved, he or she is normally admitted as a
Companion-at-Arms. This is the stage before full knighthood is awarded, and is a
probationary period of six to twelve months. If the applicant proves him- or herself to be a person of good character
who is willing to serve Christ, then he or she will be admitted to the Order as
a full knight. A formal investiture ceremony will be conducted, and the
Companion-at-Arms will be inducted as a knight in a centuries-old investiture
ceremony.
Prior
to investiture, the Companion-at-Arms must secure the necessary regalia for
becoming a Scottish Knight Templar. These items include a white mantle with the red Maltese Cross on the left
breast, a Scottish Knights Templar Cross to be worn on a ribbon around the neck,
and a pair of white gloves. The Companion-at-Arms may order the mantle from our supplier, which is a
convent, or have the mantle made to Scottish Knights Templar specifications by a
local tailor or seamstress. The only source for Scottish Knights Templar Crosses is our supplier in
the United Kingdom. Gloves may be purchased at a local clothing store.
Dues are currently set at $35.00 per year. However, no knight or dame will ever be excluded from the Order because of the inability to pay dues.
If
you are interested in becoming a Scottish Knight Templar, you may email the
Priory of the Holy Angels at [email protected],
or write to the following address: