Knights of St. John International Commandery & Auxiliary Holy Family Commandery No. 115 LADIES Auxiliary No. 16 IN GOD WE TRUST
Who are the Knights of St. John, International? Following the end of the Civil War, there existed a real need for physical and spiritual healing. The Knights of St. John was formed in 1873 in Buffalo, New York, USA with the formation of two Local Commanderies under the 2nd Regiment of Buffalo, New York. In 1879, these many organizations, including the Knights of St. George, the Knights of St. Paul, the Knights of St. Louis, and the Knights of St. John met to form a greater society of Knights. They met in Baltimore, Maryland and formed themselves into the Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John, later shortened to the Knights of St. John. The Order was officially incorporated in the State of New York on May 6, 1886 and took as its mission: a filial devotion and respect for the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, a sense of honor, love of truth, courage, respect for womanhood and a indiscriminating charity motivated by love of GOD. They sought to care for spiritual, social and physical needs of their members and neighbors. In the pattern of the Knights of the Crusade, they cared for the victims of the war by forming a Widows and Orphan Fund. In 1992, the name of the Order was officially changed to the Knights of St. John International to reflect the global structure of the Order. Today, the Knights of St. John
International is a Roman Catholic men s semi-military organization represented in 22 countries with membership of over 19,000 Knights. The Order has continued to grow and has expanded into Canada, Panama, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago and recently into England and Germany. The Order took for itself a model and patron, St. John the Baptist. Knights are organized under a Local Commandery in a Roman Catholic Parish governed by the Knights of St. John International Constitution, its own By- Laws and Robert s Rule of Order. Knights who form the Board of Directors during scheduled elections, conduct monthly business meetings and organize faith, charitable, fundraising and social events. For more information, look to the main website at: http://ksji.org/ Who are we here in Mitchellville? Holy Family Commandery No. 115 of the Knights of St. John International was chartered in September 1905 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodmore, MD. The Knights have contributed numerous services to the parish over the years.
Although replaced in 1990, our men built and cared for the first Parish hall which stood from 1889 to 1984. The building immediately behind the Parish church, the gray building of St. John s Hall was constructed by our Knights and employed as a classroom. It is now used for storage. Our Knights assisted with the repair of walkways, helped to keep the grounds and cemetery presentable and donated toward the construction of the current Parish hall. Until just a few years ago, we generated income and nurtured fellowship through annual gospel music shows. Today, many of our number are advanced in years and we want to instigate a new beginning with the recruitment of young men who are willing to be of service to God and to the community. Holy Family Woodmore Ladies Auxiliary, Subordinate No. 16, Knights of St. John International was chartered on May 24, 1906. The charter was signed by Supreme President Louise Zancy and approved by the Supreme President John Williams, who also held the title of Knights of St. John. Ms. Johanna White served as the Supreme Secretary. With Father M. J. Seanlow as the Spiritual Director, the charter served surrounding communities. The Ladies Auxiliary was incorporated internationally in 1996. Members of area Auxiliaries helped to plan living quarters in a room over the sacristy for the first Pastor of Holy Family, Father John Albert SSJ. The church had no rectory. Members also
helped plan and work at picnics and Oktoberfests to raise money for the church s needs. Members included: Mamie Williams, Nancy Fletcher and Sadie Wright. Members were also involved in providing shoes and clothing for the needy children living on farms whose parents were sharecroppers in the area. Bessie Queen, Auxiliary No. 16, Agnes Washington, Auxiliary No. 109 and Lena Jones, Auxiliary No. 16, helped select the first electric light fixtures in the church. They replaced oil wall lamps with reflectors. Auxiliary members visited members of the county government to request provisions for safe drinking water for Lincoln Elementary School. The late Sister Veronica A. Fletcher used her home for years as storage for supplies to be issued to the needy. Additional good deeds performed by members of the Ladies Auxiliary No. 16 included, but were not limited to: sponsoring Masses, holding retreats, preparing breakfast for the elderly, hosting bake sales, painting the hall, donating flowers for the altar, pledging for the brick drive and donating food baskets for the needy. Currently, we run a Haitian Coffee fundraiser. Like the Knights, we also want to encourage new blood so that our long legacy of faith and service will continue into the future. We welcome Catholic women ages fifteen to sixty-two years of age who are active in their faith. Ladies over sixtytwo are invited to be social members of the Ladies Auxiliary. While we do not currently have this component, traditionally young girls from eight years of age to sixteen were invited to participate in a Junior Auxiliary.*
Patterned Upon a Military Model The Knights of St. John International is a semi-military, Roman Catholic, Fraternal Order for Catholic gentlemen from the ages of sixteen and fifty five years (or older where application is for social or honorary members) and is a practicing Catholic. Members can opt to be a part of the Uniform or the Non Uniform Rank. The Uniform rank is established at the Local Commandery level, and, depending on the number of military members, is led by a Commander and one or two Vice Commanders. These officers are elected and only members of the military rank can elect and hold offices. The civil offices of the Commandery, with an elected President, Vice President, Secretary, etc., are separate entities and elected to office by the entire Commandery, uniformed and non-uniformed alike. The Commander of the local Commandery has the authority to promote any and all of his enlisted rank members (Private 1st Class, Corporal, Sargent up to Sargent Major). These ranks can be identified by their specific military sleeve designations, as well as the uniform itself which is trimmed in white with silver buttons. Their plumed chapeaus will be adorned in white ostrich feathers. Commissioned officers military ranking can be found on their shoulder boards, the uniforms are trimmed in gold,
with gold buttons and their plumed chapeaus will be adorned with black ostrich feathers. As the military member seeks office in levels above the Local Commandery, he is able to rise to greater military rank as an officer at the District, Grand and Supreme level, from 2nd Lieutenant as far as a four star General. The military member also has a choice of two uniforms. The original Full Dress Military Uniform is styled after the 1880 Union Army uniform in existence when the Order was formed. The option is the 1998 Blue Marching Uniform. Both are acceptable and recognized as our military uniform. AVAILABILITY OF UNIFORMS There are three authorized vendors for uniforms available to commanderies in the United States: Quartermaster Shop 810-367-6702 / fax 810-367-6514 http://www.quartermastershop.com New London Regalia 800-634-8253 / fax 419-929-0122 https://newlondonregalia.com Siegel s Inc. 812-425-2268 / fax 812-424-5961 http://www.siegelsuniforms.com
GOVERNANCE The Civil Order is responsible for conducting the day to day business operations of Commandery. Our Commandery s Civil Order is represented by all Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Knights who attend monthly meetings and periodically elect its Knights to serve in various Board of Director positions. During monthly meetings the Commandery will organize Faith, Fundraising, Social events and decide what parish and community organizations will receive financial donations. Standing and Special Committees are formed to assist in this endeavor. The Commandery governs itself with the help of the Knights of St. John International Constitution, it s own By-Laws and Robert s Rule of Order. The Military Order is the most commonly seen detachment of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI). Knights who choose to join the Commandery s Military Order will need to attain the uniform and attend the KSJI Armor of God Blessing and Investiture Ceremony where the Knight will be explained the ritual significance of the uniform. The Knights will be instructed in Close Order Drill, Formation Drill and Sword Manual.
MEMBERSHIP Please note that we have a few standard requirements to join the Knights: 1. Roman Catholic man over the age of 16.* 2. That you do not belong to any secret society forbidden by the Catholic Church. 3. That you be recommended by your Pastor and a Knight of St. John in good standing. *We currently have no jr. auxiliary, teenaged Knights and/or cadets. PURPOSES As a Knight of St. John, you are expected to join the rest of your brothers in seeking to attain the following goals: (1) to create and foster a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among the various commanderies; (2) to improve their moral, mental and social condition; (3) to aid, assist and support members and their families in case of want, sickness and death; and (4) to promote a more generous and filial respect for the spiritual authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Men of the Church The Knights of St. John nurture the virtues of love, honor and valor in the defense of the Roman Catholic Church and her clergy. They are active in advancing the spiritual and material interests of the Church. When many mock and attack our holy faith, we promote a more generous and filial respect for the spiritual authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
A Genuine Brotherhood We foster a loving and caring fraternity among member Knights. We urge compassion and charity toward fellow members of the Knights and their families. We are there for our brothers when they are struck down by sickness, misfortune and death. Men Who Care About Others Like the Knights of old, we practice chivalry in the performance of all our duties as practical Catholics. We take seriously our obligations of charity and mercy in improving the moral and social conditions of others. We defend the dignity of persons in matters like ethnic and racial justice, the rights and respect due to women, and the sanctity of life of the unborn. We seek to extend a spirit of good will to the whole world. True Patriots We seek to inspire a broader and purer patriotism to our Country and her laws. We defend her when she is right and seek to correct her when she is wrong. We advocate a critical appreciation of our history as a people, not white-washing the wrongs of the past but advocating the full realization of American ideals: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (Declaration of Independence).
DEGREES 1st Degree The application of a new member is reviewed by the local Commandery s Screening Committee and their recommendation is brought before entire Commandery for a vote to either approve of or disapprove the candidacy of the prospective member. Once approved he is invited to attend the next General Membership Meeting at which time he will receive his 1st Degree of membership. 2nd & 3rd Degree Once the member has been active in the Order for approximately one year and has proven himself to be a valued member, he is qualified to take the 2nd & 3rd Degrees. These Degrees are taken at the same time and exemplified as part of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, concelebrated with all the the chaplains participating. The candidates, their family and friends, members of the Knights and Parish members are all encouraged to participate in this Eucharistic Celebration. 4th Degree In order to take the 4 th Degree Investiture, the applicant must be a uniformed member of a local Commandery, in good standing for a period of at least three years, and he must have been initiated in the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd degrees of the order. His uniform must be an accepted uniform of the Order, in good condition, and must pass inspection. His moral character shall be above reproach in his community, and his loyalty to the Order unquestioned.
5 th Degree This is the highest degree. It is the ultimate honor to be bestowed upon members of the Knights of St. John International, for their long and meritorious service (in uniform for at least 10 consecutive years/non-uniform for at least 15 years) to the Order and the Holy Mother, the Church. This degree is conferred upon such members, as may be found worthy, by the Bishop, in conjunction with the Noble Grand Master, the Officers of the Temple and the Noble Degree Team. Holy Family Parish Hall where we currently meet.
Daily Recited Knight s Prayer MISCELLANEOUS PRAYERS In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. In Thy strength, O Lord, the just man shall exult, and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart s desire. We beseech Thee, O Lord, that every thought, word and action which we offer in memory of the sufferings of Thy Holy Martyr, Saint John the Baptist, may by his intercession profit us unto salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. Imprimatur: Walter A. Foery, D.D. (Bishop of Syracuse) Indulgence Prayers On November 13, 1923 the Knights of St. John International received from Pope Pius XI these indulgence prayers when a Military Order Knight dons his uniform and chapeau. The Knights of St. John International takes great pride in being the only Roman Catholic Semi-Military Order in the United States to have been granted an indulgence from a Pope. These indulgences can only be gained with a contrite heart. An indulgence is a remission of punishment still due for a sin after the guilt has been forgiven.
Putting on his uniform, the Knight prays: Cloth me O Lord a new man who is created in justice and truth. [300 Days Indulgence] Putting on his chapeau, the Knight prays: Place O Lord upon my head the Helmet of Salvation that I may overcome the assaults of Satan. [300 Days Indulgence] Our Lady Star of the Sea If you find yourself tossed to and fro on the stormy ocean of this world, do not turn away your eyes from this resplendent star, lest you perish in the tempest. If the winds of temptation blow, if you are in danger of being dashed against ihe rocks of adversity, look at the star, call upon Mary. If the waves of pride, of ambition, of detraction, of anger, of avarice, or lust, threaten your soul, call upon Mary. If, troubled at the sight of your manifold sins, frightened at the thought of the just Judge, you begin to sink into the abyss of sorrow and despair, attach your heart to Mary. In all your perils, your anguish, your doubts and in all your trials, invoke Mary. Let her name be on your lips, let her memory be in your heart. If you follow her, you will not go astray; if you trust in her, you will not be disappointed; if she takes care of you, you need not fear; if she protects you and intercedes for you, you will safely arrive at the haven of eternal felicity.
RECITATION OF THE ROSARY In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Apostles Creed I BELIEVE IN GOD, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. / I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. OUR FATHER, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. / Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Recite the Hail Mary on the following three beads for an increase in faith, hope and charity.
HAIL MARY, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. / Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. / As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Fatima Aspiration O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy. THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES 1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation 5. Finding Jesus in the Temple THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES 1. Agony in the Garden 2. Scourging at the Pillar 3. Crowning with Thorns 4. Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES 1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption 5. The Coronation THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES 1. Baptism of the Lord 2. The Wedding at Cana 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. The Transfiguration 5. Institution of the Eucharist
Reflect upon each Mystery and recite the Our Father on the next large bead or the bead that is alone. On each of the ten small beads which follow, recite the Hail Mary. Recite the Glory Be on the space before the next large or solitary bead. The Fatima Aspiration can also be said after the Glory Be. HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Family Commandery of the KSJI & the Ladies Auxiliary of the KSJI meet on the Second Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM in the Parish Hall @ 12010 Woodmore Road, Mitchellville, MD 20721. Contact Information: John (Jodi ) Windsor 301-356-8263 jodywindsor@ymail.com Cynthia A. Bowie 301-262-8063 cynthiabowie@outlook.com Felicia Powell 240-481-9597 powellfa61@gmail.com