Are you being called? Interested in joining us?
"The Oblate Knights of Christ the King" is a modern,catholic, Christian religious, sovereign, military order, whose charism is spiritual healing- through the ministry of the "Cure of Souls" which means all types of direct spiritual warfare including exorcism, and deliverance.Is God calling YOU to a life of service as a Knight?
The Order is open to mature minded,dedicated, Christian, men, and women, single, or *married, lay, and ordained clergy (men only in eucharistic churches that can prove valid apostolic succession),at least 21 years of age, in good standing with their own church, who
feel that they are called by God, to be spiritual soldiers of Christ
and live the rest of their lives in the reality of Ephesians 6:12, and in Holy obedience to the our liege Lord Christ Jesus, and the Rule of the Order.
The vocation of an Oblate Knight is first and foremost an "OBLATION" which means a Sacrifice!
Our structure is military, which requires the Knights to willingly and cheerfully obey the Rule and their superiors in all matters of discipline, as long as the hierarchy of the Order remains true to the catholic, Christian, faith. A Knight must be obedient as Our Liege Lord was "obedient unto death on the cross.”An Oblate Knight is willing to do battle whenever, and wherever, called by The Order. An Oblate Knight goes to battle willingly because he is certain of the Victory already won by Christos Rex on Calvary.
The Oblate Knight knows that he is a sinner, and seeks holiness not only through warfare with evil,but also through the imitation of Christ in his dealings with all other sinners on this earth. He treats all persons with respect, kindness and grace, as he knows that the only thing which separates him from all other sinners is the redeeming grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a free gift, which any person may accept at anytime during their life.
NO HUMAN BEING IS OUR ENEMY, WE DESIRE ALL PEOPLES TO COME TO CHRIST AND BE SAVED. Our evangelization takes place through the example of our manner of life and our deeds. In our everyday dealing with all manner of people, both believers and unbelievers, we practice the teaching of the great St. Francis of Assisi who said "preach the gospel at all times, use words ONLY when necessary."
The Oblate Knight is required to be kind to, and respect, all of God’s creatures. The Knight is also expected to protect all of Gods creatures from any incident of cruelty to which he may have knowledge,or be witness.Cruelty in all of its forms is the result of the influence of Satan, and the fallen angels on the human spirit, and must be actively resisted at all times.
The Oblate Knight desires no reward in this world other than knowing that he is doing God's will.The Knight does not seek the approval of the world; he must live in the world, but not be of the world.
Our Rule of life is a modified, blended, form of the Rule of the Knights of Santiago, The Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, The Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of Penance which were commonly called the "Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi", and the rule of the Order of the Friars Minor of St.Francis.
*Married candidates MUST have the written permission of their spouse before being allowed to enter the novitiate.
The
formation period begins with a postulancy of at least six months, which
may be extended to as long as one year by request of the Order, or the
postulant. Postulancy is followed by the Novitiate. *Married candidates MUST have the written permission of their spouse before being allowed to enter the novitiate.
The
Novitiate is a minimum of two years, but may be extended by request of
the Order, or novice, to a period not longer than five years. The
Novitiate may also be shortened at the discretion of the Priory Council
and approval of the Prior/Prioress General. If necessary a period of “Junior Profession” where vows are taken and
renewed annually for a period of not less than one year, nor greater
than three years may be taken by some members upon the request of the
member, and/or the recommendation of the novice counselor and Priory
Council, but this is not the norm, and is by dispensation only in individual cases. Normally, Profession comes after successful completion of the Novitiate and is FOR LIFE.
Our vows are the traditional monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, modified according to our state in life.
Poverty
-- The traditional monastic vow of poverty would be expressed by a
married person as practicing thriftiness and simplicity in their own
INDIVIDUAL lives- not necessarily the lives of spouses and children, as
they are not the person making the vow.
Chastity -- The Order
adheres to the traditional teaching of the undivided church on sexual
morality. Therefore chastity is to be understood as no sexual relations
outside of the bond of sacramental marriage; and if married, the
candidate will be faithful keeping only to their spouse. Any candidate
who came to Christ after a civil marriage should be willing to have
their marriage blessed, or fully reaffirm their marriage vows in a
sacramental marriage ceremony. In any case, the ceremony must take
place before the candidate will be allowed to enter the novitiate.
*Chastity,
in the form of celibacy, is optional, and may be vowed only by those
individuals who have reached the age of at least 28 years, with written
recommendations from their spiritual director, their confessor, an Order appointed mental health
professional after undergoing an evaluation by said professional, and the final approval of the Prioress/Prior General.
Once accepted, the vow of celibate chastity will be renewed yearly for
three years before being made for life. The lifetime vow of celibacy is
a solemn vow which may not be dispensed for ANY REASON except a total
return to a lay state in life; which means a total separation from the
Order.
Obedience -- The vow of Obedience is taken first and
foremost to Christ, Our King and Liege Lord, to live in accordance with
his commands and teaching. Secondly, the Knight must be willing to be
obedient in all matters to the Rule of Life of the Order, and then to
his/her superiors in the Order. To be a Knight is to be a soldier, and
therefore part of an army. An army by definition is a highly structured
organization, as it has the defined purpose of fighting, and defeating
a deadly enemy. Fighting for one’s life does not include an eternal
debate, but making the best battle plan possible, and then executing
that plan under a competent leadership. History has shown that the best
army is one in which everyone from buck privates, to the highest
generals, know and understand their jobs, and understand the goals of
the entire body in order to achieve victory. Therefore armies in which
the soldiers are “automatons” and the leaders martinets, do not usually
achieve any lasting victory, and only foment division and defeat.
There are three ways of service within the order from which a candidate
may choose. The first is to become a Knight of the Sword. Knights of
the Sword are those called to direct spiritual warfare-they are the
brothers and sisters who are out on the firing line, assisting at/doing (if clergy)
exorcisms, doing minor cleansings of place,deliverances, and investigating cases.
They are also responsible for educating the clients and even clergy
about topics in traditional Christian demonology. The Knight of the
Sword receives a dagger at the life profession ceremony, as well as the
Order ribbon adorned with the Agnus Dei and a St.George pin.
The second track of service is as a Knight of the Castle. Knights of
the Castle are called to the battle in a slightly different way in that
their ministry focuses mainly on education and support of the families
with which we work, including the teaching of proper “spiritual
hygiene” as well as maintaining a program of “aftercare.” They are also
known as “Castellans” The Castellans are also specialists in making
community amongst the Knights. The Castellan receives a metal key at
the life profession ceremony, as the symbol of their expertise in
maintenance of” home and hearth.”, as well as the ribbon of the Order
adorned with the Agnus Dei and a key.
Knights of the Sword and Knights of the Castle are in every respect
equal, and both serve as part of the Grand Priory Council. Both types
of Knights may undertake public education programs in Christian topics
germaine to the Order as well as instruct at retreats on particular
topics which fall under the Order's expertise.
The Third Way of Service is that of Knight Chaplain. Knight Chaplains
are male members of the ordained clergy of the catholic churches holding valid
apostolic succession, and wish to function as clergy to the Order. The
Knight Chaplains are confessors to the community, as well as celebrants
at masses, etc...The Knight Chaplain may be accepted for life
profession by the Grand Prior/Prioress without first engaging in the
formation process of the Order, if they wish to only serve as clergy to
the Order in any ordinary sacerdotal function (confession, celebrating
mass for the Knights, etc.).If a Knight Chaplain wishes to assume the office of exorcist- they must also agree to attend formation sessions
of the Order and read all Order appointed books and materials, as well
as having approval of the episcopal authority of their
denomination. Their Orders must be in a church that can prove it is in
valid apostolic succession, and one that is acceptable to the
Prior/Prioress General and Bishop-Protector of The Order.
Within the Oblate Knights of Christ the King the Knight Chaplains have
a special respect that is accorded ordained clergy, but hold no higher
rank than the Knights of the Sword, or the Knights of the Castle, and
will be addressed as “Brother (religious name or Christian name)” by other members of
the Order. The Knight Chaplain receives a crucifix to be suspended from
the belt, as well as the ribbon of the Order with the Agnus Dei pin and the cross-crosslet pin. The ribbon of the Chaplains is red, in contrast to
all other Knights, which is blue.
The Order is open to mature minded, Christian, men, and women, single, or *married, lay, and ordained clergy (men only in eucharistic churches that can prove valid apostolic succession),at least 21 years of age, in good standing with their own church, who feel that they are called by God, to be spiritual soldiers of Christ and live the rest of their lives in the reality of Ephesians 6:12
Applicants should be prepared, and willing to undergo a criminal background check at their own expense ( currently $25.00). Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may be asked to undergo an evaluation by an Order affiliated mental health professional- the cost for this is to be born by the applicant and will be determined by the Order at the time of request.
A paper application form will be mailed to the applicant upon request.Two copies of the completed application form should be sent back to the Secretary General at the Grand Priory along with two letters of recommendation from two of the following- applicant's pastor/priest,another pastor/priest of the same denomination who has known the applicant for more than two years, a spiritual director who has known the applicant for at least two years, a confessor who has had a close spiritual relationship with the applicant for two, or more years.These people may NOT be family members of the applicant.
If the applicant is married, they must include their spouse's written permission for them to enter formation.
*Married persons must have the express,written, permission of their spouse before being allowed to begin the formation process.
Stewardship Requirements
All applicants should be aware that there is a minimal amount of financial responsibility that is involved in entering into the formation process of the Order, which they should be willing to accept.Each applicant should be willing, and able to purchase their own books and other supplies for each stage of formation.Nearly ALL supplies needed, with the exception of MOST books, can be purchased through the Order for a price that is considerably less than normal retail.Any books on the reading list not obtained through the Order may be purchased in used condition from any internet, or brick and mortar book store that offers used books.Some titles could also be borrowed from your local library if necessary.
When an applicant is accepted as a postulant, they will be required to support the Order with a small monthly, financial pledge which is used to offset costs of the formation process and the good of the Order.Paying the monthly pledge should not deter anyone who feels as though they are being called by God to a vocation with the Oblate Knights of Christ the King.The pledge could be as little as $1.00 per month, or could be temporarily dispensed in some cases of REALLY SEVERE, financial need.
Currently all applicants should plan to save a small amount of money each month toward their "passage money" which is a fee that is paid to the Order when a member proceeds from one step of formation to the next, and finally the last time, at life profession.The passage money is used directly for the supplies you will need ( exclusive of books) in each stage of formation beyond that of the first stage of "Postulant."
Due to fluctuations in shipping costs for supplies, the amount of passage money you will need could be slightly higher, or ( hopefully lower), however if you truly feel you are being called by God to be a Knight, you should not let concern over "passage money" prevent you from applying, as the Lord has a way of providing for His faithful servants.If you have any concerns over anything covered here under "stewardship" please contact the priory by telephone, or e-mail and someone will be happy to discuss your concerns.
Once each year the Order will gather together at a designated location somewhere in the Continental United States for a week-end long General Chapter and retreat..Attendance at Chapter is MANDATORY FOR ALL MEMBERS FROM THE LEVEL OF NOVICE THROUGH PROFESSED,AND MAY ONLY BE DISPENSED FOR GRAVE REASONS.All travel related expenses must be born by the member.
There may be scholarships available on a limited basis, but members
should be prepared to budget for this once a year gathering.The Order does everything it can to keep the expenses for Chapter affordable for the average person
*All content copyright Oblate Knights of Christ the King 2009