Knight of Obedience
Encyclopedia
Knight of Obedience is a rank in the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. Unlike those professed chaplains and knights who take vows of chastity
, poverty and obedience
these Knights, and now Dames, make a promise of obedience. The rank was instituted between the two World Wars because there were not enough professed knights required for the Order to strengthen its religious and spiritual character. The Knights and Dames in Obedience make a promise to live as perfect Christians. The Knights wear a scapular
over their choir dress.
In the Order of Malta the Knights of Justice are in the First class. The Knights and Dames in Obedience constitute the Second class. The Knights and Dames of Honour and Devotion, Conventual Chaplains "ad honorem", Magistral Chaplains, Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotion, Knights and Dames of Magistral Grace and Donats are members of the Third class.
Since the late 1990s the Promise of Obedience is linked to the pre-existing category of a knight or dame. Hence, they become for example, Knights of Magistral Grace 'in' Obedience.
The Protestant Orders of Saint John, retaining systems of ranks based on that existing in the as-yet undivided Order at the time of the Reformation
, have no Knights of Obedience.
Literature:
Chastity
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
, poverty and obedience
Vow of obedience
The Vow of Obedience in Catholicism concerns one of the three counsels of perfection. It forms part of the vows that Christian monks and nuns must make to enter the consecrated life, whether as a member of a religious institute living in community or as consecrated hermit...
these Knights, and now Dames, make a promise of obedience. The rank was instituted between the two World Wars because there were not enough professed knights required for the Order to strengthen its religious and spiritual character. The Knights and Dames in Obedience make a promise to live as perfect Christians. The Knights wear a scapular
Scapular
The term scapular as used today refers to two specific, yet related, Christian Sacramentals, namely the monastic and devotional scapulars, although both forms may simply be referred to as "scapular"....
over their choir dress.
In the Order of Malta the Knights of Justice are in the First class. The Knights and Dames in Obedience constitute the Second class. The Knights and Dames of Honour and Devotion, Conventual Chaplains "ad honorem", Magistral Chaplains, Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotion, Knights and Dames of Magistral Grace and Donats are members of the Third class.
Since the late 1990s the Promise of Obedience is linked to the pre-existing category of a knight or dame. Hence, they become for example, Knights of Magistral Grace 'in' Obedience.
The Protestant Orders of Saint John, retaining systems of ranks based on that existing in the as-yet undivided Order at the time of the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
, have no Knights of Obedience.
Literature:
- Paul Hieronymussen, "Orders medals and decorations" Londen 1967
- J.W. Jongedijk, "Ridderlijke Orden in Nederland", Zaltbommel 1965