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THE PROFESSION OF FRA' JAMES MICHAEL V. STROEBEL AS A KNIGHT OF JUSTICE IN SOLEMN VOWS
Cathedral of St Matthew, Washington, DC, December 2nd, 1999
Following the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, came the Order of the Rites of Perpetual Profession. This began with the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, then the Blessing of the Insignia. The Grand Master and Frà John MacPherson moved to the middle of the sanctuary. Frà John called the Knight candidate forward, followed by his two witnesses.
[JMS] "I ask, Your Most Eminent Highness, to be counted and enrolled in the Military Order of the Knights of Religion of Saint John of Jerusalem"
[Grand Master] "What you ask is of great moment. it is by custom granted only to those who by virtue of their ancient lineage and personal virtue are counted worthy to be enrolled in this way. This presents no obstacle, for we have received certain information as to your nobility, your virtues and the honorable condition of your estate. Accordingly, what you ask will be granted if you promise to keep those precepts which you will hear from us. Are you, in your soul, willing to be a defender of our Holy Mother Church and of the Catholic faith in all circumstances, even if danger to your own life is required of you in her service?"
[JMS] "I promise, Your Highness, with all my strength and at all times I shall apply myself to the defense of the Church and the Faith"
James Michael v. Stroebel kneels before the Grand Master
[GM] "In the same way you shall strive never to desert the colors under which you will stand. If you were to desert them, you would be expelled from this honorable Order in the greatest disgrace and infamy."
[JMS] "I will, Your Highness, strive to stand fast with all my strength"
[GM] "You must promise to have a particular care and concern for those who are poor, dispossessed, orphaned, sick and suffering."
[JMS] "I promise, Your Highness, to do so with the help of Almighty God."
PRESENTATION OF THE SWORD
Frà John MacPherson presents the unsheathed sword to the Grand Master.
[GM] "Since you have shown a ready will in all these matters which we have put to you, take this sword in your hand as the means to carry out the promises you have made, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With the help of God you will be inflamed with hope, justice and charity and you will bravely offer your spirit to God and your body to the dangers and toils of this world. In this way you will be able to defend the poor and sick and fight against the enemies of the Catholic Faith."
Frà John gives the scabbard to the Knight. The Grand Master hands the sword directly to the Knight and the Grand Master continues.
[GM] "If, then, this is your intention put your sword into its scabbard and take care that you do no harm to any innocent person."
The Knight then sheathes the sword and hands the sheathed sword back to the Grand Master who, in turn, passes it to Frà John, who places it on the tray and picks up the belt.
PRESENTATION OF THE BELT
Frà John presents the belt to the Grand Master.
[GM] "Chief among the virtues of a Knight to God is chastity. This belt is to gird you from the outset and to put it out the fire of the passions in you. May God give you the grace to remain in chastity throughout your life."
The Grand Master hands the belt to the Knight who fastens it to his waist. Frà John then gives the sheathed sword to the Grand Master, who hands it directly to the Knight.
After fastening the belt around his waist, the candidate receives from the Grand Master the Sword, the symbol of his determination to defend the Faith