Reprinted from
The American Ecclesiastical Review

October, November, December, 1955
and January, 1956

First printing—April, 1956
Second printing—July, 1956
Third printing—November, 1957

FOREWORD

Widespread interest in the Ecclesiastical Orders of Knighthoodhas been demonstrated by continual requests for information pertainingto them on the part of libraries and individual persons, particularlythose who have been knighted. In the United States this interest lieschiefly in those Orders most familiar to Americans, such as the Orderof Malta, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of St. Gregory,and in the medals Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice and Benemerenti. Suchinterest prompted the publication of this booklet which contains reprintsof four articles originally published in the “American EcclesiasticalReview.”

The booklet gives a description of the history, organization, emblemsand membership requirements of the various Orders connected withthe Catholic Church and which are still in existence.

By way of introduction, Part One deals with the historical background—theorigin and development of Knighthood in general. PartsTwo and Three treat the Religious Military Orders which originatedin the Holy Land—The Order of Malta, the Order of the HolySepulchre, the Teutonic Order—and the Military Orders of Spain andPortugal. Finally, Part Four treats of those Orders which are directlybestowed by the Holy See—the Order of Christ, the Order of theGolden Spur, the Order of Pius, the Order of St. Gregory, and of St.Sylvester. In addition the papal decorations are described.

The final pages of the booklet display the insignia of the threeecclesiastical groups: Military Orders of Knighthood, Pontifical Ordersof Knighthood and Papal Decorations, with a brief description ofshape and color. The pictures present the Knight’s cross, unless otherwisedesignated. Since the emblems of the Orders of Calatrava,Alcantara and Montesa are identical in form, only one picture is usedfor all three with a specification of the respective colors. Under theheading of Pontifical Decorations a picture is given of the LateranCross which is recognized, although not directly bestowed, by theHoly See.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part I

Historical Background 1

Development of the Orders of Knighthood 7

Part II

The Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem 14

The Order of the Teutonic Knights 23

Part III

The Iberian Military Orders 28

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem 3

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