Trinity Commandery No. 17

Trinity Commandery No. 17 is a Knight Templar Commandery based in Westfield, NJ and was established in 1889. This Commandery is connected to the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, NEW JERSEY. This is connected to the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, USA. Trinity Commandery No. 17 is a philanthropic chivalric order affiliated with Freemasonry. Unlike the initial degrees conferred in a Masonic Lodge, which only require a belief in a Supreme Being regardless of religious affiliation, the Knights Templar is one of several additional Masonic Orders in which membership is open only to Freemasons who profess a belief in the Christian religion.

What are the Chivalric Orders within a Knight Templar Commandery?

There are a set of three Orders culminating in the Order of Knight Templar.

1. Illustrious Order of the Red Cross

An Order emphasizing the lesson of truth. Elements of this Order were practiced in Ancient Lodges before the final form of the Master Mason Degree came into use. It is still practiced in the full ceremonial form by the Knight Masons of Ireland and the Knight Masons of the United States, and as the Red Cross of Babylon in the English Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees.

2. Order of Malta

An Order emphasizing the lesson of faith. This Order requires the Mason to profess and practice the Christian faith. The pass degree of the Mediterranean Pass, or Knight of St. Paul prepares the candidate for the Order by introducing the lesson and example of the unfearing and faithful martyr of Christianity. The Order is centered on allegorical elements of the Knights of Malta, inheritors of the medieval Knights Hospitaller.

3. Order of the Temple

An Order emphasizing the lessons of self-sacrifice and reverence. It is meant to rekindle the spirit of the medieval Knights Templar devotion and self-sacrifice to Christianity. The history of the Masonic Order is long and convoluted, with the Order's ritual differing between that conferred in England and in the United States. That practiced in the United States has a slight militant zeal to the lesson of Christianity, whereas the English ritual is more allegorical. However, the American ritual is most impressive, and more emphasis is placed on the solemnity and reverence associated with the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. The presiding body is a Commandery, and the presiding officer is a Commander (titled Eminent).

What is the structure of a Knight Templar Commandery?

The local body of Knights Templar is called a commandery. Commanderies can be of

any size, with a minimum of nine usually being the constitutional number.

A number of local commanderies within a geographic area form a District.

Each has a District Commander assigned to assist them.

The Eminent Commander, Generalissimo, and Captain General of each local commandery holds a vote at the annual Grand Commandery Conclave. Past Eminent Commanders also hold a vote at the Grand Commandery Conclave.

The nation is then sectioned into several departments, each by geographical region.

A department has a Department Commander, who has served as the Grand Commander of his respective state’s Grand Commandery.

These regional departments form the Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. The Grand Encampment is led by the Most Eminent Grand Commander. All Past Grand Commanders hold a vote at the Grand Encampment Triennial Conclaves.

What are the various Knight Templar Titles?

All Knights Templar have the title of Sir Knight, regardless of any office they may hold. Officers are referred to as:

SK Name, Eminent Commander

SK Name, Right Eminent Grand Commander

SK Name, Right Eminent Grand Encampment Office

SK Name, Most Eminent Grand Master

What are the Knight Templar Basic Commands?

There are several commands that are used in a commandery. Typically, these commanders are given in two parts: the preparatory command, and the command of execution. The preparatory command is given in order to prepare one for a greater command, or command of execution. Some preparatory commands are associated with specific actions. Common commands include:

• Sir Knights: Fall- In

• Sir Knights: Attention

• Right- Dress

• Front

• Draw: Swords

• Present: Swords

• Carry: Swords

• Return: Swords

• Un/Re: Cover

What masonic status is required to be a Knight Templar?

Membership in good standing in a regular Blue Lodge, a Royal Arch Chapter, and a Royal and Select Master Council is required for membership in a Commandery of Knights Templar.

Must I be invited to join a Commandery?

As a Master Mason and if a Royal Arch Mason, a Royal and Select Master, and in good standing, you may be invited by a Commandery member, but you are encouraged to apply for membership in the Commandery without awaiting a specific invitation. You may ask a Commandery friend for a petition form or contact the Recorder (Secretary) for an application.

See also

• Freemasonry
• York Rite
• Knights Templar
• Masonic appendant bodies