Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests Knight of the Cross

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Knight of the Cross

1998/2015

Compiler's Notes: Knights of the Cross hold their meetings in a Conclave. The only variations found were that in one version the Candidate was required to be a Knight of the Christian Mark and an altar was used. In the second, the Cand. is a Knight of Malta and no Altar is used. The latter version has been used here.
The Officers of the Conclave are the Venerable Prefect, Worthy Provost, Senior & Junior Inductors, Herald and Sentinel.
A Cap of White with a sash of the same colour on which a cross is outlined in black.

Opening

VP: Worthy Provost, what is the hour?
WP: Venerable Prefect, it is the ninth hour in which the Captain of our Salvation died upon the Cross, when boulders were split and the earth quaked and the veil of the Temple was rent in twain and the Law fulfilled.
VP: Since in this hour these great events occurred, what is first duty?
WP: To see that none are met with us here, who respect not the Symbol of our Order.
VP: Worthy Provost, you will see them proved.
WP: Sir Knight Inductors, prove the Conclave.
JI: To Order as Knights of the Cross. All stand with the sign except the VP.
SI: Venerable Prefect, all present are Knights of the Cross, proved by sign.
VP: Sir Knight Herald, prove the Conclave guarded.
Herald gives **** **** * on the door which is answered by the Sentinel.
Her.: Venerable Prefect, the Conclave is secure.
VP: Sir Knights, I now deciare this Conclave of the Order of the Cross to be regularly opened and I return the sign.
All drop the sign and the VP gives **** **** * which is repeated by the Herald and Sentinel. When the raps are completed:
VP: Knights take up your stalls.

Induction

The Candidate wears the regalia of a Knight of Malta. The Junior Inductor retires after saluting the VP and conducts the Cand. to the door where he gives *.
SI: Venerable Prefect there is an alarm.
VP: You will determine the cause and report.
SI rises, opens the door and enquires: Who presents himself here?
JI: A stranger who desires admission into this Conclave.
SI: Why so?
JI: That he might gain the privileges of a Knight of the Cross.
SI: What recommendation does he bring to prove that he is deserving of such?
JI: The Word and Sign of a K night of St. John.
SI: Then let him give them to me.
SI steps out of the Conclave and the Cand. proves himself. Being satisfied the SI steps back into the Conclave and says:
SI: Let the stranger enter.
Both Inductors escort the Cand. From the West facing VP to East.
SI: Venerable Prefect, this Stranger, introduced by a Professing Brother and who comes with the Word and Sign of St. John, is within our Conclave.
VP: Since he is introduced by a Professing Brother, let him be taken before the Worthy Provost for examination.
SI resumes his place and the JI takes the Cand. before the WP.
WP: Pray Sir, who are you?
Cand, prompted by the JI: A knight of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, who wishes to be inducted into this Order of the Cross.
WP: Before you may gain what you desire, it will be necessary that you answer certain questions which l shall now put to you. Have you been faithful to the Obligations you have taken, and, to the best of your ability, acted upon the requirements of the same?
Cand., prompted a s necessary: I have
WP: Have you been guilty of any oppression of the poor, or of the widow or orphan?
Cand.: I have not, before God I swear
WP: Have you taken unjustly from, or acted improperly towards, your Brethren.
Cand.: I have not, before God J swear.
WP: Have you ever refused to relieve a Brother's needs, he requiring and you being able?
Cand.: I have not, before God I swear.
WP: It is well. Know you the symbol of our Order? Raises the small Cross.
Cand.: I am a Christian, therefore I know it well.
WP: Junior Inductor, you will conduct the Stranger Knight to the Venerable Prefect that he may take the obligation and be instructed in the Secrets of this Knighthood.
WP: Have you ever refused to relieve a Brother's needs, he requiring and you being able?
Cand.: I have not, before God I swear.
JI takes the Cand. before the VP where the SI places a kneeling cushion. The SI then takes up the small Cross and a small version of the New Testament and hands them to the VP, who rises and proceeds before the Cand. The JI, takes the Spear from a convenient place, both Inductors then stand at the shoulders of the Cand.
WP: Knights of the Cross, be upstanding. All rise.
VP: Stranger Knight, you will kneel on both knees, take this holy Testament in your right hand, and this Cross, the symbol of our Order in your left. You will form another cross by holding arms against the breast, left over right, in this manner. Cand. does so. You will now repeat the following, using your given of Christian name only.
I, …, kneeling before these witnesses and before this Conclave, holding the Holy Testament and the symbol of this Order and of the lamb of God, wilt honour this Obligation not to reveal, or disclose, the secrets of this Order to anyone unless he, or they, shall be entitled to possess them, in the same legal manner as I, having been Inducted as a Knight of the Cross. I further promise that I will never be party to the Induction of a Knight of this Order, unless in a proper and legally constituted Conclave of Knights of the Cross. All this I swear under the penalty of having a spear thrust in my side, as did our Lord. At this point the JI makes the necessary motion and do so in the name of Our Lord. SI removes the Testament and Cross and the JI dispenses with the Spear, both resuming their previous position by the Cand. The WP carries the sword to the VP and stands by him.
VP: By the power vested in me, and by the strength of this sword, I create and dub you Knight, on bath shoulders and as such induct you into the Order of Knights of the Cross. Rise Sir … (given name only).
WP: Knights resume you stalls. All except the WP, the JI and Cand. resume their places.
WP: Since the Venerable Prefect has deemed to induct you as a Knight of this Order, I am now permitted to convey to you the Secrets of your Rank. The first is the Pass Sign, which is given when proving a Knight. The first holds up his right arm vertically, in this manner, while the second holds his right arm across that of the first JI demonstrates with the WP this forming a Cross which is the symbol of this Order. The Sign of a Knight of the Cross is given thus, both arms crossed over the chest, which, you will recall, is the position you assumed while taking your obligation. This Sign is also given as a salutation while in the Conclave. The Grand Sign is given by holding your left hand on your right side, this, alluding to the penalty of your Obligation of having a spear thrust in your side as did our Lord. The Grip or Token is given by placing your left hand on the other's right side, with the first saying, Dominus Tertiae, the second responding, Lord of the Three and then both repeating together, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Herald will now proclaim you.
Herald rises, proceeds to the East before the WP and says:
Herald: Brother Knights, I now proclaim Knight …, as our Brother and Companion, and I charge you ever to accept him as such. Herald returns to his stall.
VP: Knight …, having been accepted and inducted and proclaimed. the Junior Inductor will now conduct to your stall. JI does so and resumes his stall.

Closing

VP: Worthy Provost, what is now the hour?
WP: Venerable Prefect, it is now the Hour of Salvation, when the Lord made all perfect.
VP: Are our labours therefore complete?
WP: Complete and Perfected, Venerable Prefect.
VP: What then is our last duty?
WP: As before, to ascertain that who are met with us are Knights of the Order.
VP: Worthy Provost, you will see them so proved.
WP: Knights, to Order as Knights of the Cross. All stand with the Sign. Venerable Prefect, all Knights are proved.
VP: Then it is my pleasure to close this Conclave until we once again gather in the name of the Lord and assemble under the Cross and I now close.*, repeated by WP, Herald and Sentinel.
VP: The Conclave is closed. I bid you travel in the safety of the Cross until again we meet.

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