The Osmth Order of Convent Contents

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THE OSMTH ORDER OF CONVENT CONTENTS

Appendix to the Rules & Regulations, Section 12 approved by the Grand Magistral Council on 2 October in 2015 in Cologne, Germany

INTRODUCTION

The following Order of Convent and associated Ceremonies are designed to provide a standard template for use at international meetings of the Grand Magistral Council and / or the Grand Chap- ter General of OSMTH.

It is recognized that:

The standard template may necessarily have to be modified by the responsible Grand Magistral Officers, depending on the venue, timing, particular attendees and other circumstances of each individual event;

Liturgical wording (e.g. in the Psalms and Blessings) varies in the Eastern and Western Church Traditions, which may also require modification at individual events;

On occasion it may be necessary to modify the format of the Processional Entry and the Reces- sional Departure, if required by the authorities in charge of the church, chapel or cathedral where an event is taking place;

The text of the C&I ceremonies may need from time to time to be translated in the language of the host country to allow non-English speaking members, guests and visitors to follow the ceremonies;

Not all sections will be required at every event (e.g. there might be promotions to only one of the three higher ranks; installations of the three elected Grand Magistral Officeholders normally only occur once in three years); Not all relevant Grand Magistral Officeholders or other participants may be present at every event, and therefore another Officeholder may need to substitute (e.g. the Grand Commander may need make the OSMTH International Awards if the Grand Master is unable to be present);

Officeholders assisting the Marshal General (e.g. the Master of Postulants; the Sword Bearer) may be drawn from the Host Grand Priory or from other Grand Priories present at the event;

The role of Presiding International Chaplain may be taken by the Chaplain General, the Vicar General or the Provost General, depending on who is present at an individual event. Chaplains assisting the Presiding International Chaplain may be drawn from the host Grand Priory or from other Grand Priories present at the event.

This standard template may also provide guidance for, but is not binding on, Member Grand Pri- ories for their own events.

In the tradition of the Rule of the Templars of the original Order, all Convent meetings are opened and closed with prayer. These OSMTH Ceremonies draw on the pattern and texts used by the medieval and modern Orders and bring them together in a dignified form appropriate for our Chris- tian ecumenical and chivalric Order today.

The Order is not secret and its ceremonies may be conducted in the presence of guests. While the business of the Order is not secret, the discussions and debates which precede a decision are not discussed outside of the Chapter, Council or Convent meeting (i.e. only the decision of the whole body should be disclosed and no mention should be made of any dissenting position within a meeting).

ORDER OF CONVENT - CONTENTS

1. Processional Entry 2. Opening Ceremony and Prayer 3. Reception Ceremony The Oath 4. Investiture Ceremony The Accolade 5. Promotions & Awards Ceremony a. Ranks of Commander and Grand Officer b. Rank of Grand Cross c. OSMTH International Awards 6. Installation Ceremony a. Grand Magistral Officeholders b. Grand Master 7. Closing Ceremony and Prayer 8. Recessional Departure

1. PROCESSIONAL ENTRY

Before the Convent commences, the Marshal General or his designee places the Cross and Bible on the Altar and lights the Candles.

The Marshal General (supported by Assistant Marshals, the Master of Postulants, the Ban- ner Bearer, the Beaucéant Bearer, the Sword Bearer, the Cross Bearer, the Knight or Dame Protector, and any other Assistants) gathers the Members of the Order together at a suitable location in the church or hall where the Convent is to take place.

The Procession is formed in the following order:

Section 1 a. Assistant Cross Bearer / Crucifer b. Banner Bearer (carrying the Banner of the Order) c. Assistant Sword Bearers (carrying their swords hilt up, unless otherwise allowed by local custom)

Section 2 a. Master of Postulants b. Postulants (in alphabetical order by family name) c. Promotees to Commander (in alphabetical order by family name) d. Promotees to Grand Officer (in alphabetical order by family name) e. Promotees to Grand Cross (in alphabetical order by family name) f. Recipients of OSMTH Awards (in alphabetical order by family name) g. Grand Magistral Officeholders Elect (if any; in order of seniority)

Section 3 a. Knight or Dame Protector b. Knights & Dames c. Knights & Dames Commander d. Knights & Dames Grand Officer e. Knights & Dames Grand Cross

Section 5 a. Marshal General b. Host Grand Prior c. Chancellor General d. Deputy Grand Commander e. Beaucéant Bearer f. Grand Commander's Personal Flag Bearer g. Grand Commander h. Grand Master's Personal Flag Bearer i. Grand Master j. Escort k. Visiting Royalty, Nobility, State and/or Civil Dignitaries (if any) l. Royal Patron

Section 6 a. Principal Cross Bearer / Crucifer b. Chaplains c. Provost General d. Vicar General e. Chaplain General f. Escort g. Visiting Ecclesiastical Dignitaries (if any) h. Spiritual Protector

The Sections of the Procession move from the back of the church (or hall) up the central aisle to the front of the church (or hall) where the Marshal General and his Assistants direct the Sections to their relevant places.

Upon arrival at the front of the church (or hall), banners of office or national flags may then be retired to the back of the church (or hall). When retired to the back of the church (or hall), the banners of office or national flags will not be required for the Recessional Departure.

2. OPENING CEREMONY AND PRAYER

The Presiding International Chaplain and the Grand Commander move to stand in front of the Altar facing the assembled Convent.

The Principal Sword Bearer places his sword on the Altar, or presents his sword to the Presiding International Chaplain who places it on the Altar.

The Banner Bearer, the Beaucéant Bearer and selected others place their banners in their stands, and then move with the Principal Sword Bearer to their places.

Presiding International Chaplain:

O God, you are the help and shield of all who trust in you. To you we bring these symbols of loyalty, honor and devotion. May all who look upon them be reminded of their duty to you and to our Order, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Grand Commander:

Our Master is God. Members of the Order:

We are all brothers and sisters.

Grand Commander:

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis...

Members of the Order:

Sed nomini tuo, da gloriam

Grand Commander:

My Brothers and Sisters, please be seated as the Convent is about to begin.

Grand Commander:

Knights/Dames Sword-Bearers, please present the hilts of your swords to each Knight, Dame and Companion; and you, my Brothers and Sisters, touch the guard of the sword - whose hilt is the symbol of the cross, and also the symbol of chivalry - with the three central digits of your right hand.

The Assistant Sword Bearers pass among the Members of the Order in the assembled Con- vent and then return to their places. When a large number of Members and Companions are present, Assistant Sword Bearers may present the hilt of their swords only to the first Member or Companion in each pew, or row of chairs, in order to save time needed for the remainder of the service.

The Grand Commander turns to the Knight or Dame Protector.

Grand Commander:

Knight/Dame Protector, is this Convent protected?

Knight/Dame Protector:

It is so, Grand Commander.

Grand Commander:

In the name, and with the help, of God; I declare this Convent open in accordance with the ancient usages.

[OPTIONAL] The Assisting Chaplain moves to the Lectern and reads the following, or another suitable, portion of scripture.

Assisting Chaplain:

"Finally then, find your strength in the Lord, in his mighty power. Therefore, take up God's armor; then you will be able to stand your ground when things are at their worst, to complete every task and still to stand. Stand firm, I say. Fasten on the belt of truth; for coat of mail put on integrity; let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing; and, with all these, take up the great shield of faith with which you will be able to withstand all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take salvation for helmet; for sword, take that which the Spirit gives you - the words that come from God."

St Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10 & 11 and 13 to 16.

[OPTIONAL] The Assisting Chaplain moves to the Lectern and says the Templar Office Psalm 115, verses 1 to 11.

Assisting Chaplain:

1. Not unto us, O Lord, Not unto us, but to your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth’s sake. 2. Why should the heathen say, Where now is their God? 3. But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatsoever has pleased him. 4. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5. They have mouths, but they do not speak: they have eyes, but they do not see; 6. They have ears, but they do not hear: they have noses but they do not smell; 7. They have hands, but they do not handle; they have feet, but they do not walk: neither do they speak through their throat; 8. They who make them are like them; so is every one that trusts in them. 9. Israel, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield; 10. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield; 11. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield..

The Assisting Chaplain returns to his place.

[OPTIONAL]: The Presiding International Chaplain may give a short homily at this point.

The Presiding International Chaplain moves to stand beside the Grand Commander facing the assembled Convent.

Presiding International Chaplain:

Let us pray for all Christian Templars worldwide, and especially for our Sisters and Brothers in OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Members of the Order:

O God, you have made our hearts into a Temple of your Holy Spirit; teach us to pray to you in spirit and in truth. Lord, make us skillful to do all good works, rouse us to deeds of love through your Spirit, and arm us with the power of faith. Bring us together to your holy Tem- ple. Bind us together as living stones. Awake in us true fellowship, so that each may serve the other in holy love. O eternal God, in your mercy remember your Poor Fellow Soldiers of the Temple, all Officeholders, Knights and Dames, and all Benefactors and Friends. Lord we ask you: let the whole of Christendom be united in truth. Bring together those whom you have chosen. Break down the walls which divide us, and restrain all those who create discord. Lord, we pray you that the day may come when there is one flock and one shepherd. Give us strength and ability for our everyday work. Give us patience and faithfulness. Help us to prove true Knights Templar, and warriors for your eternal truth, so that we may praise you in joy and at all times confess your name. Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to your name give the glory. Amen.

The Presiding International Chaplain returns to his place.

The Chancellor General moves to stand at the Lectern.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, please now read the Orders of the Day.

The Chancellor General announces those Ceremonies, from the list below, which are to be carried out during the Convent.

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, the Orders of the Day are as follows. There will be Ceremonies:

 To receive Postulants into our worthy Order  To invest Postulants as Knights and Dames  To make promotions and to give OSMTH international awards  To install new Grand Magistral Officeholders

3. RECEPTION CEREMONY

The Grand Commander turns to the Chancellor General.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the first order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now be the reception and investiture of new Knights and Dames into our worthy Order.

The Deputy Grand Commander moves to stand next to the Chancellor General.

Deputy Grand Commander:

Conferring knighthood developed during the middle ages into a complex ceremony, much dif- ferent than the beginning when only the accolade, a tap on the shoulder with a sword, was enough. Customarily, the ceremony began the previous evening when the candidate was shaved and taken to a special chamber where a bath was prepared with scented water and a covering of rich cloth. While he bathed, two experienced knights talked to him solemnly about the duties of knighthood. Later he was led to the chapel, where he stood throughout the night, keeping watch over his armor and saying prayers and meditating. At daybreak, he bathed again, confessed, heard mass, and offered a taper with a piece of money stuck in the white tallow. With his future squire before him carrying the sword and his spurs, he made his way to the great hall where he knelt on one knee and was given the accolade. The most important part of the ceremony was the pledge to relieve and protect widows, the fatherless, the oppressed and miserable, to defend the church of God, and to propagate and defend the Christian faith and to repel the violence and cruelties of the pagans and of war.

Originally, already being knight was a precondition for admission to that rank in the medieval Knights Templar. Admission into the Order therefore developed as a ceremony of its own, as described in the Rule of the Templars, originally drawn up under the guidance of St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1128 A.D. and then elaborated over the following decades. The two key steps within the admission ceremony were: the reception, when the candidates committed them- selves on oath to follow the Rule of the Order; and the investiture, when the candidates were clothed in the mantle of the Order as an outward sign of their membership.

Our ceremonies today draw on all those traditions and bring them together in a dignified form appropriate in the modern day for our Christian ecumenical and chivalric Order.

The Assisting Chaplain and the Host Grand Prior move to stand on either side of the Grand Commander, facing the Convent.

Assisting Chaplain:

Let us pray for all those of our Sisters and Brothers about to be received and invested into membership of this worthy Order.

O Lord God, we ask that you may look mercifully upon these your servants, and that you may turn their hearts from earthly vanity and inspire them towards love of their eternal vocation. Pour out on them the grace which abides in you; so that, fortified by the aid of your protection, they may fulfill that which they promise. Grant that, as they make their profession as Dames and Knights, they may deserve those things which you have promised to those who persevere in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Host Grand Prior:

Brothers and Sisters in the Order, I propose that these Postulants shall be examined to ascertain if they are worthy to be members of this Order. If any among you knows of anything concern- ing them that makes them ineligible, say so; for it is better that it should be said now rather than later.

Silence is kept for a few moments.

Host Grand Prior:

Knights, Dames and Companions, is it your wish that, in God's name, these persons should be brought into our worthy Order?

Members of the Order:

We welcome them in the name of God.

The Postulants stand in their places.

Host Grand Prior:

Is it your wish, of your own free will, to enter this worthy Order?

Postulants:

It is.

Host Grand Prior:

Listen then to the Modern Rule of the Order:

The Host Grand Prior, or a Grand Magistral Officer, reads the Modern Rule.

Chapter 1: On the Temple and its Service

Remember that you are a Templar, an inheritor of the “Poor Knights of the Temple”, so called because the first quarters of our worthy Order were in the precinct of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.

Think on the word, “Temple”, and its meaning continually. As divine scripture says : “One thing I have desired of the Lord which I will require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to visit his Temple.” (Psalm 27; verse 4)

Chapter 2: On Faith and Meditation

Within our Order you will meet brothers and sisters of all nationalities and denominations. Recognize with joy, “that we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building being bonded together grows into a holy Temple to the Lord.” (St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: chapter 2; verses 19 – 21)

In your search for God, pursue your spiritual education. Set aside time each day for prayer and meditation.

Chapter 3: On Discipline

The principles of life set out by St Bernard of Clairvaux in the original Rule, which are to care for body, mind and soul, are still good in our day.

With all thankfulness for God’s good gifts, resist temptation and be master of your body. Work with joy, but do not believe that material success is, in itself, the goal of this earthly life.

Chapter 4: On Chivalrous Combat

May the white cloak remind you that we fight against intolerance, hypocrisy and ignorance; and may the red cross remind you that sacrifices must be made; for “we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against potentates and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in the cosmos.” (St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: chapter 6; verse 12)

Stand up for the weak and all who need your help. In order that you may live a truly chivalrous life, undertake good deeds without expectation of reward; and you shall be an example to all as a pillar of the Temple.

Chapter 5: On Fellowship

Remember that you stand beside your Brothers and Sisters at all times, as they strive under the same banner as you. Obey your superiors, honoring Christ in them. We have only one Master: “Christ” – but we are all brothers and sisters. It is your responsibility to assist and to serve your sisters and brothers, for God will also ask you one day: “Where is your brother?”; “Where is your sister?”

Avail yourself of the worldwide fellowship of the Order to correspond with your brothers and sisters overseas and visit them whenever you have the opportunity.

Thus I have told you the things that you should do and what you should guard against and I now ask if you are willing to comply with this Rule ? - and may God let you say and do well.

Postulants:

I gladly accept these things for God and I wish to be a servant of the Order all the days of my life.

The Host Grand Prior, or Grand Magistral Officer, turns to the Grand Commander.

Host Grand Prior / Grand Magistral Officer:

Your Excellency, I have spoken to the Postulants and have informed them of the obligations of the Order. They have expressed their desire to become members of the Order, and nothing prevents them from doing so.

Grand Commander

Master of Postulants, please present the Postulants for reception into our worthy Order.

The Master of Postulants brings the Postulants to stand in front of the Grand Commander.

Postulants:

Sir, I come before you and the Sisters and Brothers to ask, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be allowed to share in the fellowship and deeds of the Order.

Grand Commander:

You ask a great thing, for you see before you only the outward garments of the Order, but the regulations that govern the Order are demanding.

Postulants: I will accept these things for the love of our Lord God, and keep them within my heart. The Oath

Grand Commander:

Are you prepared to make a oath of loyalty to the Order?

Postulants:

I am willing.

The Assisting Chaplain holds the Holy Bible in front of the Postulants.

Grand Commander:

Do you turn to our Savior, Jesus Christ and, in company with your Sisters and Brothers in the Order, promise to serve him, spreading the knowledge and love of God the Father and promot- ing the peace and harmony of the Holy Spirit?

Do you promise to be faithful and loyal to the Grand Priory of which you are a member, and to follow the lawful requirements of those placed in authority over you within the Order, ever bearing in mind your allegiance to the constitution and government of the country of which you are a citizen?

Do you promise to assist OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem in its work for charity throughout the world, in the protection of the Christian Faith, and in the maintenance of just treatment for all humankind?

Do you take this oath freely and without mental reservations?

Postulants:

I do, with the help of God.

Grand Commander:

Then, in the name of the Order, we accept you to share in the good works that have been done from its foundation and shall be done to the end, and you shall accept us to share in the good works you shall do.

The Host Grand Prior and the Assisting Chaplain return to their places.

4. INVESTITURE CEREMONY

The Presiding International Chaplain moves to stand next to the Grand Commander.

The Grand Commander turns to those Grand Prior(s) whose Postulants are about to be invested.

Grand Commander: Grand Prior(s), are you satisfied that these Postulants have been duly instructed in the duties expected of them in this worthy Order? Grand Prior(s):

I am / We are satisfied.

The Grand Commander turns to face the Postulants.

Grand Commander:

Sisters and Brothers; listen now to the Code of Chivalry of our Order.

Love, honour and fear Almighty God; defend the Christian faith; be loyal and serviceable to your country, your Order and their interests. Prefer honour to wealth. Pursue justice and truth in word and deed. Cherish truth, virtue and honesty. Seek to give no willing cause of offence to any but, while opposing wrong and injustice, deport yourselves courteously, gently and af- fably to all. Be of an open and liberal heart, a bounteous hand and especially devote yourselves to the poor in Christ Jesus. Raise the fallen standard of chivalrous honour and strive for the welfare of your sisters, brothers and all humanity, however much self may suffer in the contest.

And I ask: do you now affirm your commitment to this Code of Chivalry ?

Postulants:

I do, with the help of God.

The Accolade

The Principal Sword Bearer hands the Sword to the Grand Commander.

Grand Commander:

As Grand Commander of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, duly elected by the Grand Magistral Council, I have authority to invest Dames and Knights into this worthy Order.

The Candidates kneel in front of the Grand Commander.

The Grand Commander touches each Candidate with the Sword on both shoulders and the head.

[EITHER]

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and of our Lady and all the Saints, I invest you as a Dame of the Temple. Arise, Ma Dame.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and of our Lady and all the Saints, I dub you as a Knight of the Temple. Arise, Chevalier.

[OR]

Sis equitessa in nomine Dei, Patris, Filii et Spiritui Sancti. Surge equitessa. Sis eques in nomine Dei, Patris, Filii et Spiritui Sancti. Surge eques.

[OR]

Sur ceci, soit Dame au nom de Dieu, du Pére, du Fils et du Saint Esprit. Avance Ma Dame.

Sur ceci, soit Chevalier au nom de Dieu, du Pére, du Fils et du Saint Esprit. Avance Chevalier.

The new Dames and Knights stand after receiving the accolade.

The Grand Commander returns the Sword to the Principal Sword Bearer.

Grand Commander:

Receive this Cross as the outward and visible sign of your reception into our Order, and may God direct you always in the path of righteousness.

The Marshal General and the Master of Postulants assist with placing a cross around the neck of each Postulant.

Grand Commander:

Receive this mantle of white and crimson as a sign of the honor this day bestowed upon you, and in token of the robe of Divine Protection that will ever encompass those who are faithful and true.

The Marshal General and the Master of Postulants assist with placing a Mantle around the shoulders of each new Dame and Knight.

The Presiding International Chaplain blesses the new Knights and Dames.

Presiding International Chaplain:

May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon you now and evermore. Amen.

The new Dames and Knights turn round to face the assembled Convent.

Grand Commander:

Knights, Dames and Companions, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present to you the newest Knights and Dames of our Order.

All applaud.

The Master of Postulants leads the new Knights and Dames back to their seats. The Presid- ing International Chaplain returns to his seat.

5. PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS CEREMONY

The Grand Commander turns to the Chancellor General.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the next order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now be promotions to the rank[s] of [Commander] [and] [Grand Officer].

Promotions to Commander and Grand Officer

The Marshal General leads the Candidate(s) for promotion to the ranks of Commander and Grand Officer to stand in front of the Grand Commander.

The Host Grand Prior moves to stand next to the Grand Commander, facing the assembled Convent.

Host Grand Prior:

We make promotions within our Order to the rank[s] of [Commander] [and] [Grand Officer] in recognition of the personal achievements and service to the Order given by individual members.

Each Candidate stands in turn in front of the Grand Commander, who places his hands on the shoulders of the Candidate.

Grand Commander:

As Grand Commander of our worthy Order, and by the authority vested in me by the Grand Magistral Council of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, I now promote you to the dignity of [Commander] [Grand Officer].

The Marshal General hands the appropriate insignia to each promotee.

Grand Commander:

Receive this insignia as an emblem of your rank and remember you are a defender of the King- dom of Christ.

The Marshal General leads the new Dames and Knights Commander and Grand Officer back to their places.

The Host Grand Prior returns to his/her place.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the next order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now be promotions to the rank of Grand Cross.

Promotions to Grand Cross

The Grand Master moves to stand next to the Grand Commander, facing the assembled Convent.

Grand Commander:

I now ask all existing Dames and Knights Grand Cross, who are present in this Convent, to stand in their places for this ceremony.

The Marshal General leads the Candidate(s) for promotion to the rank of Grand Cross to stand in front of the Grand Master and Grand Commander.

Grand Commander:

The dignity of Grand Cross is the highest rank within our Order and a very small proportion of our members attain this significant recognition. It is proffered to members who have per- formed extraordinary service to the Order in a position of great responsibility over a sustained period of time.

Each Candidate stands in turn in front of the Grand Master, who places his hands on the shoulders of the Candidate.

Grand Master:

As Grand Master of our worthy Order, and by the authority vested in me by the Grand Magis- tral Council of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, I now promote you to the dignity of Grand Cross.

The Master of Postulants removes the Mantle of each new Knight or Dame Grand Cross.

Grand Master:

Receive this insignia as an emblem of your rank of Grand Cross, and remember you are a defender of the Kingdom of Christ.

The Marshal General places the Grand Cross Sash over the shoulder of each new Knight or Dame Grand Cross; and the Master of Postulants then places the Mantle back over their shoulders.

All other existing Knights and Dames Grand Cross then sit down.

Grand Master:

I now invite you all to recognize all those who have received promotions today.

The new holders of the Grand Cross turn to face the assembled Convent. Promotees to the rank of Commander and Grand Officer stand in their respective places.

Grand Master:

Knights, Dames and Companions, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present the newest promotees in our Order.

All applaud.

The Marshal General leads the new Dames and Knights Grand Cross back to their seats.

OSMTH International Awards

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the next order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now be the presentation of OSMTH International Awards.

Grand Commander:

Each Recipient has been recommended for a particular Award by his or her Grand Prior in recognition of their meritorious and distinguished service to their Grand Priory and to our noble Order. Marshal General, please present the Recipients recommended for Awards. The Marshal General leads the Recipients of the OSMTH International Awards, in order of precedence, to stand in front of the Grand Master and the Grand Commander.

The Deputy Grand Commander stands next to the Chancellor General and reads the name of each Recipient in turn.

Deputy Grand Commander:

Chevalier [name] of the Grand Priory of [name] is to be given the OSMTH [name] Award.

Dame [name] of the Grand Priory of [name] is to be given the OSMTH [name] Award.

Each Recipient stands in turn in front of the Grand Master, who places his hands on the shoulders of the Recipient.

Grand Master:

As Grand Master of our worthy Order, and by the authority vested in me by the Grand Magis- tral Council of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, I now present you with this Award.

The Master of Postulants hands the Award Insignia to each Recipient. Grand Master:

Receive this Insignia as an emblem of your Award, and may it remind you ever to continue your service to others in the name of Christ.

The Recipients of the OSMTH International Awards turn to face the assembled Convent.

Grand Master:

Knights, Dames and Companions, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present our newest Award Recipients.

All applaud.

The Marshal General leads the Recipients of the OSMTH International Awards back to their seats.

6. INSTALLATION CEREMONY

Installation of the Grand Commander Elect, Deputy Grand Commander Elect and Chancellor General Elect

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the next order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now the Installation of new Grand Magistral Officeholders elected for this term of office.

The Presiding International Chaplain moves to stand beside the Grand Master, facing the assembled Convent.

If the Religious Protector and/or the Royal Patron of OSMTH - International are present, they move to stand beside the Presiding International Chaplain and the Grand Master re- spectively.

Presiding International Chaplain:

Let us now pray for the Royal Patron, the Spiritual Protector, the Grand Master, the Grand Commander and for all Officeholders and Members of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem.

O God our Father, we ask you to grant to all officeholders and members of this Order, who bear the cross of service in Christ's name, that they may adorn their profession in temperance, justice and fortitude. Amen.

Let us give thanks to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that the Grand Magistral Council has agreed and elected these, our Grand Magistral Officeholders, in accordance with the Stat- utes, Rules & Regulations of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jeru- salem.

Grand Master:

Marshal General, please present before us the Grand Magistral Officeholders Elect for this term of office.

The Marshal General leads the Grand Magistral Officeholders Elect to stand in front of the Grand Master.

Marshal General:

Your Excellency, I now present to you the:

 Grand Commander Elect [title, name and rank]  Deputy Grand Commander Elect [title, name and rank]  Chancellor General Elect [title, name and rank] to be installed as Grand Magistral Officeholders for this term of office.

The Pledge

Each Grand Magistral Officeholder Elect stands in turn in front of the Grand Master and raises his or her right hand with the three middle fingers extended.

Grand Master:

Do you solemnly promise and pledge yourself before these witnesses, assembled here and formed in knightly Convent, to faithfully fulfill and discharge, to the best of your ability and in accordance with the Statutes, Rules and Regulations of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, the duties of the office to which you have been elected?

Grand Magistral Officeholder Elect:

I do, with the help of God.

The Grand Master places his hands on the shoulders of each Officeholder Elect in turn.

Grand Master:

By the authority vested in me, and in accordance with the Statutes, Rules and Regulations of the Order, I hereby install you into your office. Act impartially and fearlessly, yet with com- passion, in the spirit of the high ideals and code of chivalry of our worthy Order.

The Beaucéant Bearer brings the Beaucéant and hands it to the Grand Master.

Grand Master:

I hereby transfer to you, our Grand Commander, the Beaucéant of the Order. Accept custody of this Beaucéant, as the outward symbol of your leadership and authority, and as a reminder of the responsibility and accountability you carry, with your fellow Grand Magistral Office- holders, for the traditions, ceremonies, property, and records of this Order.

The Grand Master hands the Beaucéant to the new Grand Commander.

Grand Master:

Into your hands I commit the powers and emblem of your office. Guard them well and, when you deliver them into the hands of your successor, may the rights, privileges, honor and good works of our worthy Order be found to be unimpaired.

The new Grand Commander hands the Beaucéant to the Beaucéant Bearer, who returns it to its place.

The new Grand Magistral Officeholders turn to face the assembled Convent.

Grand Master:

Knights, Dames and Companions, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present your new Grand Magistral Officeholders.

All applaud.

The Marshal General leads the new Grand Magistral Officeholders back to their seats.

Installation of the Grand Master Elect

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, what is the next order of business?

Chancellor General:

Your Excellency, there will now be the Installation of a new Grand Master.

Grand Master:

Marshal General, please present before us the Grand Master Elect for this term of office.

The Marshal General leads the Grand Master Elect to stand in front of the outgoing Grand Master.

Marshal General:

Your Excellency, I now present to you [title, name and rank] to be installed as Grand Master for this term of office.

The Pledge

The Grand Master Elect stands in turn in front of the outgoing Grand Master and raises his or her right hand with the three middle fingers extended.

Outgoing Grand Master:

Grand Master Elect:

I do, with the help of God.

The outgoing Grand Master places his hands on the shoulders of the Grand Master Elect.

Outgoing Grand Master:

By the authority vested in me, and in accordance with the Statutes, Rules and Regulations of the Order, I hereby install you into your office as Grand Master of OSMTH - the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem Act impartially and fearlessly, yet with compas- sion, in the spirit of the high ideals and code of chivalry of our worthy Order.

The Banner Bearer brings the Staff of Office and hands it to the outgoing Grand Master.

Outgoing Grand Master:

I hereby transfer to you, the Staff of Office as the new Grand Master of our Order. Accept custody of this Staff of Office, as the outward symbol of your leadership and authority, and as a reminder of the responsibility and accountability your carry, with your fellow Grand Magis- tral Officeholders, for the traditions, ceremonies, property, and records of this Order.

The outgoing Grand Master hands the Staff of Office to the incoming Grand Master.

Outgoing Grand Master:

Outgoing Grand Master Emeritus:

Knights, Dames and Companions, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present your new Grand Master.

All applaud. The Marshal General leads the Grand Master and the Grand Master Emeritus back to their seats.

The Presiding International Chaplain moves to stand in front of the Altar facing the assembled Convent.

Presiding International Chaplain:

O Lord, save these your servants.

All:

Who put their trust in you.

Presiding International Chaplain:

Send them help from your holy place.

All:

And evermore mightily defend them.

Presiding International Chaplain:

Let the enemy have no advantage over them.

All:

Nor the wicked approach to hurt them.

Presiding International Chaplain:

Be to them a strong tower.

All:

From the face of the enemy.

Presiding International Chaplain:

O Lord, hear our prayer.

All:

And let our cry come unto you.

The Presiding International Chaplain returns to his seat.

7. CLOSING CEREMONY AND PRAYERS

The Grand Commander moves to stand in front of the Altar facing the assembled Convent.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, before the closing of the Convent, I ask if there is any other business?

Chancellor General:

Yes, your Excellency. I request all members of the Order to pay your alms.

The Almoner General and selected Ushers take round the collection bags, or plates, into which the Members of the Order assembled in the Convent place their alms.

At the end of the Collection, the Almoner General and selected Ushers march as a group from the back of the church (or hall) and present the collected alms to the Presiding Inter- national Chaplain. The Presiding International Chaplain then places them on the Altar, and returns to his seat.

Grand Commander:

I will now repeat the customary phrase three times. If any Knight, Dame or Companion wishes to speak a word, it will be accorded to him or her...

Any Member of the Order in the assembled Convent make speak.

Grand Commander:

Chancellor General, is the business of our Convent complete?

Chancellor General:

It is, your Excellency.

Grand Commander:

Sisters and Brothers, you should know that we who share in the good things that are done in our Order ought always to forgive any within our fellowship who have wronged us. I therefore ask your pardon if I have given offence to any and I ask you to forgive each other any offences, for the love of our Lord Jesus.

Knights, Dames and Companions, we may now close our Convent; and by the grace of God let nothing but good flow from the decisions and actions we have taken today.

The Grand Master moves to stand beside the Grand Commander facing the assembled Con- vent.

Grand Master: As we prepare to depart from this Convent, I now ask all Members of the Order to stand so that we may re-dedicate ourselves to the work, to which we have been called, saying together:

The Grand Master and the Grand Commander turn to face the Altar.

Members of the Order:

Grant, O Lord, that as your servants, the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, showed their steadfastness in faith, their discipline of mind and body and their service to others; in Jerusalem, the Holy Land, Cyprus and Europe; so also we, their inheritors, ever mindful of their example, may in all humbleness of spirit continue in your service.

Make us, O Lord, instruments of your love. Teach us each day what to say and do. Give us sympathy, wisdom and understanding; that we may ever show kindness and care in helping others, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Grand Master:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us;

Members of the Order:

But to your name give the glory. Amen.

The Grand Master returns to his place.

Grand Commander:

Knights, Dames and Companions, please place you right hand upon your heart. Let us meditate and think of what will be when we are no more on this earth; and never forget that we all must die.

The Assisting Chaplain moves to the Lectern.

The Assisting Chaplain reads the Templar Office Psalm 133.

Assisting Chaplain:

1. Behold how good and how pleasant it is: for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2. It is like the precious ointment from the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3. As the dew of the Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord promised his blessing, even life for evermore.

The Assisting Chaplain returns to his place.

The Presiding International Chaplain moves to stand in front of the Altar facing the assembled Convent.

Presiding International Chaplain:

The blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Grand Commander:

I now pronounce this Convent closed.

8. RECESSIONAL DEPARTURE

The Sections of the Recession move from the front of the church (or hall) down the central aisle to the back of the church (or hall) under the direction of the Marshal General and his Assistants.

The Recession is formed in the following order:

Section 1 a. Banner Bearer (carrying the Banner of the Order) b. Assistant Sword Bearers (carrying their swords hilt up, unless otherwise allowed by local custom)

Section 2 a. Principal Cross Bearer b. Escort c. Spiritual Protector d. Visiting Ecclesiastical Dignitaries (if any) e. Chaplain General f. Vicar General g. Provost General h. Chaplains

Section 3 a. Beaucéant Bearer b. Marshal General c. Visiting Royalty, Nobility, State and/or Civil Dignitaries (if any) d. Escort e. Royal Patron f. Grand Master's Personal Flag Bearer g. Grand Master h. Grand Commander's Personal Flag Bearer i. Grand Commander j. Deputy Grand Commander k. Chancellor General l. Host Grand Prior

Section 4 a. Principal Sword Bearer (carrying the sword hilt upwards as a processional cross, unless otherwise allowed by local custom) b. Grand Magistral Officeholders c. Emeritus Grand Priors d. Pro Merito Councillors e. Grand Priors (preceded by banners of office or, if none, national flags when available; when retired to the back of the church (or hall), the banners of office or national flags will not be required for the Recessional Departure.)

Section 5 a. Knight or Dame Protector b. Knights & Dames Grand Cross c. Knights & Dames Grand Officer d. Knights & Dames Commander e. Knights & Dames

Section 6 a. Master of Postulants b. New Recipients of OSMTH Awards c. New Knights and Dames Grand Cross d. New Knights and Dames Grand Officer e. New Knights and Dames Commander f. New Knights and Dames

On reaching the back of the church or hall, each Section of the Recession shall disperse, in order to allow the next Section through.