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This Masonic hierarchy is alive and well today, worldwide.
The Kights of Malta are not only a religious order approved by
the Holy See but are also recognized in international law as
a sovereign entity. (Catholic Encyclopedia p. 557) Originally,
membership was restricted to the nobility, but a new category
of Knights and Dames of Grace and Devotions is open to meritorious
person who are not of the nobility. A National Association of
Knights and Dames of Malta exists in the United States.
Other orders are Britain's Order of the Garter, Spain's
Order of the Golden Fleece and Denmark's Order of the Dannebrog.
Some orders were composed of knights who took religious vows,
such as the Knights Hospitalers of St. John of Jerusalem.
Papal Knights: The Pontifical Orders of Knighthood presently
existing are, in their order of precedence: The Supreme Order
of Christ, The Order of the Golden Spur, The Order of Pius IX,
The Order of St. George the Great and The Order of Pope St. Sylvester.
. The main awards are the Golden Rose, the Cross Pro Ecclesia
et Pontifice and the Medal Benemerenti.
Religious but not pontifical orders of knighthood recognized
by the Holy See are the Sovereign Military Order of St. John
of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, and the Equestrian Order
of the Holy Selpuchre of Jerusalem. The Holy See also recognizes
other legitimate order of knighthood granted by states and sovereigns.
(Catholic Encyclopedia, pp 557,558) |
