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CONTENTS |
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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
THE DUBBING
The Knight stands in place, carefully unsheathes his sword, and gives it to the Grand Master, who in turn takes the sword and strikes the Knight's left shoulder three times with the flat of the sword. then, folding the sword before the Knight, the Grand Master continues:
"Although this deed is one of great disgrace for noble men, it will recall to your mind that you have received these blows as a token of your final humiliation in death."
The Grand Master then gives the unsheathed sword to the Knight, who brandished it three times in the air as a symbolic threat to the enemies of the Faith. The Knight then holds the sword in the salute position.
[GM] "Your gesture in brandishing your sword three times indicates that in the name of the Most Holy Trinity you will challenge all enemies of the Catholic Faith in the hope of victory. May the Lord always grant you the victory. Put the sword in its scabbard now and keep it always pure and clean."
The Knight wipes the sword against his left arm, sheathes it, and kneels.
[GM] "The purity and spotlessness of the sword signifies that it is the duty of a Knight to be pure and free from every vice and a lower of all the virtues, especially that of honor, which is ever in the company of the four cardinal virtues."
"With the help of PRUDENCE, the first of the cardinal virtues, you shall bear in mind the past and the present and take thought for the future. With the help of the second, which is JUSTICE, you shall dispose your public duties and your private interests, holding them in balance. With the help of the third, which is FORTITUDE, you shall show magnanimity, on occasions worthy of a true and religious Knight. With the help of TEMPERANCE, the fourth, you shall so govern your senses and feelings as to become a very perfect, gentle Knight. With these four virtues you shall ever seek honor.'
The Grand Master shakes the shoulder of the Knight.
[GM] "Arise! Never hesitate so to value and magnify these virtues. They may earn you honor and recognition from other men. Rise now above your vices and be vigilant in the virtues of which we have spoken. In particular be vigilant in the Faith of Christ for whose sake you shall do all in your power to oppose any man who wishes in any way either to assail or offend against the faith."
James Michael v. Stroebel receives the accolade. (Left to right) H.E. Frà John MacPherson, Member of the Sovereign Council, Count Elie de Comminges, H.M.Em.H. the Grand Master, James Michael v. Stroebel and H.E. Marquess Gian Luca Chiavari
PRESENTATION OF THE GOLDEN SPURS
Frà John MacPherson presents the golden spurs on a pillow to the Grand Master.
[GM] "Much might be said of the significance of these golden spurs. But now we shall say only this to you: Just as instruments such as these are used to quicken horses to vigor and swiftness, so you too must keep a spur in your heart to urge you towards the virtues and the service of God in all your enterprises and endeavors. Show the world that in your deeds you are a stranger to greed and that you place little value upon gold, as witness the humble place where you wear it. These spurs, in accordance with their true purpose, are worn on the lowest part of the body, that is the feet."
The Grand Master gives the spurs, one to each of the Witnesses who proceed around the kneeling Knight to touch the golden spurs to the heels of the kneeling Knight. Thereafter, together they give the spurs back to the Grand Master, who in turn gives them directly to the Knight kneeling before him who holds them in his hands.
[GM] "These spurs are a reminder that you should hold gold always in contempt and never allow greed or avarice to corrupt you throughout your life".
The candidate receives the gold spurs, the symbol of Knighthood