The Knighting Ceremony

Two squires were inducted into Knighthood for the Knights of the Most Precious Blood. An authentic medieval ceremony was used, followed by the Traditional Latin Mass. The music for this video is the medieval 'Deus Ultor Domine'.

After a candidate meets all the requirements for knighthood, the chaplain and Grand Knight plan and conduct the knighting ceremony (see Appendix I of Knight Handbook), which is an ancient liturgical rite of the Church actually used in knighting ceremonies in medieval (and later) times. The knighting ceremony is attended by all members of the Order and their families and friends. The ceremony is brief (15 minutes) and is followed by celebration of a Tridentine High Latin Mass. In keeping with tradition, the young knight confesses his sins to a priest (usually the Order's Chaplain) on the eve of the ceremony. He spends the night fasting and praying, observing the Church's rules for fasting until after the knighting ceremony. Prayers include recitation of the Litany of the Most Precious Blood and the Holy Rosary with his family or with the Order. At the knighting ceremony, the young knight is given a chain mail coif and a white tunic with red, full-length scapular bearing a white, red-trimmed cross on the front. The white tunic becomes the ceremonial garment of the new Knight.

Becoming a Knight of the Most Precious Blood

Order of Knights of the Most Precious Blood

The process toward knighthood is one that requires certain steps that include the memorization of catechetical information and acts of courage and charity (good works). These include the following, which are separated into two parts. Pages and squires will easily commit Part I information to memory during their pre-knight years. The Order is also working on a catechetical booklet for members.

Part I, Knowledge — St. Thomas Aquinas Award

Knowing the Ten Commandments of Chivalry
Knowing the Ten Commandments of God
Knowing the Precepts of the Church
Knowing the Seven Sacraments
Knowing the Four Cardinal Virtues
Knowing the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Knowing the Three Theological Virtues
Knowing the names of the last three Popes

Upon successful completion of this step, a squire is issued the St. Thomas Aquinas Award.

Part II, Acts of Courage and Charity

Performing an act of courage in defense or promotion of the Catholic Faith — St. Michael Award
Performing an act of charity in defense of the preborn — Our Lady of Quadalupe Award
Performing an act of charity in aid to the aged or infirm — St. Catherine Laboure Award
Performing an act of charity in aid to the poor — St. Vincent de Paul Award
Proving one's prowess in outdoor competitions or adventures — King St. Louis IX Award
Performing an act of service to one's community or country — Immaculate Conception Award
Serving 33 masses at the altar – pages and squires keep an altar service log, signed by priests who celebrate these masses. — Host and Chalice Award

With each of his accomplishments a boy earns an award (a merit badge or medal) that is sewn or pinned onto his tunic. [The squire's tunic is a thigh-length, gray duck or denim sleeveless garment worn over regular clothing. It is accompanied by a black leather belt. The tunic is the ceremonial garment for squires and is not typically worn during outdoor activities. Pages are issued a brown, sleeveless tunic. Both squires' and pages' tunics bear a large red cross on the chest.]