A CAPSULE HISTORY OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MODERN ORDER Membership is open to all Christian men and KNIGHTS TEMPLAR To seek God in our daily lives and to promote women who are 21 years of age or older and love and respect in our community; who embrace chivalric values and noble ideas. Our official name is Ordo Supremus Militaris Helping to maintain a Christian presence in the Members of other faiths may be admitted Templi Hierosolymitani – Latin for Sovereign Holy Land and assisting those organizations through the honorary arm of the organization Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, and which are protecting and preserving these Holy known as the Order of Merit. often shortened to the initials OSMTH or SMOTJ. places; SMOTJ is a chivalric Order with both royal and To increase understanding between religions CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES religious patrons. It is the largest Knights and to help pilgrims visit Holy places; Donations support the maintenance of Holy Templar order in the world. The autonomous To support the poor, sick and unjustly accused Land sites, hospitals and schools: The Grand Priory of the United States (GPUSA) was and to stand against oppression and to protect Franciscans in the Holy Land; the Augusta Victory formed and today guides the Order in this freedom of speech; Hospital, operated by the Lutheran Diocese of country. To encourage the noble ideas of chivalry; Jerusalem; The Anglican Diocese for the support In 2002, SMOTJ gained formal recognition by the To maintain the monuments, archives and of St. George Cathedral and School in Jerusalem; United Nations as a Non-Governmental history of the Knights Templar. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate; Organization (NGO) with special consultative The Armenian Patriarchate to maintain many of status. Our organization is active locally, the Old Quarter sites; and The International nationally and internationally providing millions HOW WE SEEK TO ACCOMPLISH THESE Orthodox Christian Charities. of dollars and thousands of hours of assistance GOALS to people of all faiths and cultures. Today's By being invested as a Knight or Dame in the HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICIALLY members of the SMOTJ practice the finest service of Jesus Christ through this Order and traditions of the Order and preserve its rich participating in the celebration of our solemn RECOGNIZED KNIGHT OR DAME heritage. and beautiful convents, retreats and First you become a 'Postulant' or Candidate who The Knights Templar of Crusader times was well investitures; is one who is seeking admission into the Knights known for courage, loyalty, steadfastness and By witnessing our faith in the ecumenicity of our Templar Order; benevolence. The modern Order reveres these Order's religious services and in our own church; We'll introduce you to your mentor, an honored strengths and places a strong emphasis on By donating our time, labor and money to assist Knight or Dame, who will assist you as you Christian spirituality and service to our faith and those individuals of all faiths who are in need; merely 'look around' to see if you like our fellow man. By carefully considering our words, deeds and mission; practices; We will try to give you enough information to By association with like-minded individuals in the judge for yourself whether this is the way or life ` ` ` ` ` practice of chivalrous behavior and noble ideas; you wish to lead; By journeying to the holy You will be completely free to decide for MOTTO OF THE MODERN ORDER places and bearing witness to yourself. Think it over carefully; their significance. There is no obligation of any kind. We would Non nobis, Domine, non nobis urge you to go beyond the appeal of the title of a recognized Knight or Dame; sed nomini tuo da gloriam You don't choose to become a Knight or Dame - Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, WHO CAN JOIN? it chooses you. but to thy name, give glory. THE PRIORY OF THE LIGHT As a membership-driven organization, the activity calendar will be determined at an annual The Priory of The Light was formed in 2002 as a business meeting. The Sovereign Commandery under the aegis of The Priory of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, California. It was WHAT IS INVOLVED IN JOINING? elevated to a full Priory in 2005. Membership is A petitioner must prepare two application forms Military Order mostly from Arizona but also includes members which detail personal background. This must be from Nevada, California, Minnesota, Alabama, signed by two members of the Priory; of The New Mexico, and as far away as Scotland. An education program must be completed; Several members are active duty military and If accepted by the Priory, the applicant is inducted Temple of have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other into the Order at the next Investiture; foreign countries. All members are expected to participate in at least Jerusalem two activities per year and take an active part in the Priory. Promotions result from effort; Besides supporting the Christian presence in the A one-time Investiture fee of $500 is paid. This fee Holy Land, local charities that have been pays for the mantle of the Order, insignia, diploma, supported are: Packages From Home, the and Grand Priory passage fees; Catholic Charities MANA House, and the United Annual oblations (dues) are approximately $200 Methodist Outreach Ministries. Individual ($175 for the Priory and $75 for the National members also participate in the Silent Knight organization);

Program. Attendance at an annual black or white tie event costs approximately $100 per person.

MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS WHAT SMOTJ IS NOT SMOTJ holds an annual National Grand Convent It is not an organization of social status or prestige, which takes place at various locations throughout the but one of values. United States. The Order is not part of the Freemasons, nor is it The Priory of The Light holds a Convent and affiliated with any other fraternal organization. Investiture once a year during which new members The Order does not engage in politics. are knighted. The investiture is followed by a gala The Order does not allow members to act contrary to reception and banquet. their obligations to their country. Most activities are held in the Phoenix area. The Order does not restrict membership to any single The Priory of The Light schedules a general Christian church. The Priory of The membership meeting once a quarter. The order is not a 'secret society.' It has no secrets When appropriate, special meetings may be called. and no rituals other than the order of investiture, Light This may be for fundraising for a charity that has been which is always open to the public. chosen for support or any situation that requires the membership to gather. For Additional Information on The SMOTJ is a Chivalric Order with both royal The goal of the Priory of The Light is to have at least Priory of The Light, contact -- two social gatherings or holiday meetings per year. www.smotj.org and religious patrons. It is the largest Knights Other activities include hands-on charity work, www.smotj.org/priories/thelight Templar Order in the world, and the only benefits and other events such as the Memorial Day The person who gave you this brochure Templar Order recognized in Special Services at the National Cemetery in Phoenix. Observe an Investiture of our Priory Consultative Status by the United Nations.