Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-09-07
KgIGHTHOOD.
CEREMONIES ATTENDING ENTRANCE TO
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ihL ohpLhi
One Of the most imposing ceremonies
At the Austrian court IL that In which
the Church admits q peer Of the realm
TO knighthoOd in the Maltheser order,
knights Of NJ, John OF Jerusalem,
None but arehlukes, princes and peers
Of tho empire are taken into this most
anstOcatic Of brOthefhOOds few Others
indeed could hear the expenses and TO
luifements, and none Others could be
allowed to parake of its beneiita, 10
man who could work for his daily bread,
to man intellectually clever enough to
manage others into procuring II for him,
this charitable iarce OF keeping up the
old order Of knighthoOd would seem IN
some eases like an alma,h0use ass0cia'
ton, Tor In this order when man II OF
noble birth but pOorand proud, ~ all
Austrian ariatocracy are, then he IL pre-
Sented with living, Some old castle
with hunting grounds or farms belong
Ing to tho order are granted to him
these ho Is obliged to Superintend, in
speot and bo responsible for and thus
lio has grand home to which ho can
invite parents and friends, but he can
never marry, ho IL q Maltheser, and the
starry iron cross must rest upon his
breast instead Of the head Of q faithful wife
or the dimplcd baby hands OF children,
The Crder when first established was
u noble ono Of charity aud good to the
world, but In these days too many OF iis
knights take upon themselves religious
yowsfor the honor Of living in as respect
able castleas their ancestors have done,
aud the command Of money and social in
nuenco to enable them to enter the
highest circles with the MaltheSer order
on their uniforms. Some there are Of
course who Join tho brotherhood from
religious motives, We speak only OF
those whose mothers and sisters have
been heard 10 say poor Adalbert
must bo u Malthcscr, for our means are
no reduced he will not have enough to
live upon at home"
The ceremony always takes place in
the old convent church Of tho Malthe-
ser Ritterorlcns Of Prague, Tho inter
ior of the church was splcndidly decor.
atcd for tho occasion. In tho chancel
over the baldachin above the prior's
throne tho banner Of st. Michael swas
unlurlcd and the altar sparklcd in gold
and gems which reflected their pris-
matte rays in the blaze Of thousand
wax lights. Amid the Ginning OF the
convent bells the procession, led by the
prior and other officers Of the order in
their superb ancient costumes and. Mag
natcntracht,' entered the church. The
novice wore the mantle of the postulant,
carrying in his right hand burning can
die and in his left an unshcathed sword.
lie was followed by members OF the no
blest families in the land. The prior
took his place upon the throne and the
novice kneeled before the altar; the
other knights occupied the lauteuils
prepared for them. After the "Veni
Sancte Spiratus" had been sung, the pa
pal bull was read, the sword blessed and
| i,.s.....t.,i ~ a. -----;-~. !Lo. L;o'' '""e"
began.
At the epistle the novice arose and ap-
proached the prior, who asked him
"What is your desire p He replied
"NIaster, | desire to be admitted to
the Society of the knights Of Holy John
of Jerusalem"
"Your desire is vast and Of high i'm
port. None are admitted unless of an
cient nobility or whose virtue and god
ly living have won for him rank and
name. Your noble birth and ancient
| -. I, 10, nj Nva hnvn hnan
informed Of your virtue and courage,
so it is possible for you to be admitted
to our society. Now tell me, are you
willing to hold fast the Catholic faith
and protect our holy Mother the Church
with your life If such be requiredy'
81 promise and swear to devote all
my powers, all my possessions and my
person to protect our faith
care YOU ready to vow never to de-
sert the banner under which you may be
appointed to serve"
"With all my strength I will remain
faithful and true"
"Do you promise to protect widows
and orphans and others in necessity to
the extent of your power%
81 promise with Gods help"
The prior then gave the novice a
sword with the apostolic benediction,
bidding him sheathe the sword and
never draw it in an unrighteous cause.
The novice obeyed and then returned
both sword and sheath to the prior, who
gave him a sword belt which was fas-
tened about his waist by the assistants
and the sword again returned to him
was attached to the girdle. The novice
then arose from kneeling posture, drew
his sword and presented it to the prior,
who gave him three gentle blows on the
shoulder, saying, 'For noblo it is
shameful thing to be struck receive
these three blows as the last shame
which you patiently endure" The
novice took the sword. swung it three
times above his head, sheathed it and
knelt down while the assistants fastened
golden spurs upon his boot. The in.
terru. ted service of the mass was re
sumed and continued without interrupt
! ion to the benediction then the novice,
holding the lighted candle, again knelt
before the prior. who asked him -
"Have you sworn fellowship in any
other societyY
"No, Master"
"Have you been married%
"No, Master"
"Are you in debt or is your property
encumbered with mortgages
"No, Master"
"Be careful take heed that these
questions are truthfully answered
There was moments pause; then the
prior continued, 1--WE believe that you
have spoken the truth we therefore re-
ceive YOU as brother of our order, but
promise you nothing at first but bread,
salt and water and modest habit"
The oath of the order was pronoun-
ced by this new Ritter and then the
prior embraced him, saying, "From this
hour you are knight. As first mani
festation of your obedience take this
book to the altar, then bring it back to
me-"
This done the novice mantle was Ia
: ken from him and other members of the
order present saluted him with the
"brotherly kiss" while the insignia OF