United Religious, Military and Masonic Order of the Temple, and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta of England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas

Installation of an Eminent Preceptor

2000


E.P.: I declare this a duly Constituted Conclave of Installed Preceptors.
Mareschal places Preceptor Elect at the North East of Sepulchre and returns to his place. E.P. rises, draws his sword and faces him.
E.P.: Brother Knight, the secrets restricted to the Chair had their origin at the time of the first Crusade. The difficulties and sufferings to which the small band of Christian warriors had been exposed had not only diminished their numbers, but produced in the remainder all the horrors of disappointed zeal and enthusiasm. The hopes of reaching the Holy City were nearly lost, and despair had almost taken possession of the little remnant still enrolled under the banner of the Cross; their Commander however remained faithful to his Oath and proceeded onward, and having early one morning ascended the hill on which the village of Emmaus was situated, he beheld by the light of the rising sun the Holy City. This glorious sight aroused all his enthusiasm and, in the ecstasy of the moment, turning to those who were following him, he made this sign, as a signal to them to proceed.
From these circumstances the sign and word of an Eminent Preceptor have been derived.
E.P. tells Preceptor Elect to draw his sword.
E.P. and Preceptor Elect face the East: The sign is given thus …. Preceptor Elect copies. The word is …. Preceptor Elect repeats. E.P. and Preceptor Elect return swords.
E.P.: Brother Knights, to order. E.P and Preceptor Elect do not draw swords.
E.P.: I now install you in the Chair of this Preceptory. He does so.
I surrender to you this Baton, the symbol of Power. He does so.
I place on your breast this Cross, the Emblem of your rank. He invests E.P. with collarette.
The Chaplain then moves to the left of the E.P. pronounces the Benediction as follows: Pax et Benedictio Dei Omnipotentis Patris Filii et Spiritus Sancti in te descendat et tecum maneat in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Chaplain returns to his place. Installing Preceptor draws his sword.
I.P.: Brother Knights, I call upon you to salute our newly installed Eminent Preceptor with three, taking the time from me.
I.P.: Brother Knights, Be seated.
I.P. returns sword but remains standing.
I.P.: Eminent Preceptor, you will now close this Conclave of Installed Preceptors.
E.P.: I declare this Conclave of Installed Preceptors closed.
I.P. takes his seat.

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