Decision to actively be a role model
Admission and graduation are celebrated
Admission to the Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe and the promotion or elevation of a member of the Knighthood takes place as a solemn ritual (liturgy), the so-called Investiture*, which is framed by a church service.
The honour of being a knight is based on a conscious decision to actively work for the community in the spirit of faith, tradition and homeland and to practise chivalrous virtues. It is an inner attitude and mindset that one publicly commits to and professes upon being accepted into the Knighthood.
*Investiture refers to the induction into an office, during which symbols such as the ‘knight’s order’ are presented and symbolic acts such as the ‘knighting’ are performed.
The knightly virtues
Prudence, justice, obedience,
faith, helpfulnes, bravery,
loyalty and wisdom
Admission to the Knighthood
A qualified application is required for admission to Knighthood. Admission to Knighthood is not an award in the traditional sense, but a conscious decision.
The significance of this decision is underlined by fixed rituals during the admission of a new knight in a solemn church service (Investiture). This ceremony serves to strengthen the sense of belonging to the community of knights. The admission of a new knight takes place through knighting.
New members are expected to make an admission donation for the Investiture. This donation covers the costs incurred during the Investiture.
After admission, candidates belong to the plenary assembly of the Knighthood with a seat and a vote.
Contribution regulations for members of the Knighthood
The members (Knights) support the Knighthood through an annual membership fee, the amount of which is determined by the plenary assembly.
The annual membership fee (minimum contribution €40.00) is collected by the commanderies and settled with the Treasurer. €25.00 per annum of the membership fee is paid to the EGS social welfare organisation. The Treasurer is responsible for transferring the social welfare portion of the membership fees to the social welfare organisation.
| The investment fee is as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
Knight's Cross
|
for Knights of Devotion | €150.00 |
Officer's Cross
|
for Donors of Devotion | €175.00 |
Piis Meritis in Bronze
|
for spiritual members | €150.00 |
Piis Meritis in Silver
|
for Commandery Chaplains | €175.00 |
Magistral Cross
|
for Magistral Knights | €195.00 |
Donation Cross
|
for Donation Knights Canon/Canoness |
€215.00 |
Commander's Cross
|
or Chairpersons of Commanderies | €225.00 |
Piis meritis in gold
|
for the spiritual leader
of the Knighthood, the President |
€225.00 |
Grand Officer's Crosswith shoulder strap |
for Chancellor and Treasurer | €225.00 |
Grand Crosswith shoulder strap |
for Subpriors Professed Knights | €225.00 |
|
Grand Cross with shoulder strap and star |
for Subpriors Professed Knights | €225.00 |
The respective investiture fee must be transferred to the specified account of the Knighthood before the investiture date. You will receive an invoice for this.
Admission to the Knighthood is not an award, but a conscious decision. The significance of this decision is underlined by fixed rituals during the Investiture.
Grand Master enters into dialogue with the candidates
Grand Master asks the candidates to repeat the oath
Afterwards, the Grand Master decorates the invested members of the Knighthood with the accolade, assisted by the Prior.
Ceremonial / Celebratory Liturgy
The Investiture is always framed by a Eucharistic celebration, in which all members of the Knighthood should participate if possible.
The main celebrant asks the two highest representatives of the Knighthood (usually the Grand Master and the Prior) and the Chancellor to perform the admission into the Knighthood:
Introduction by the celebrant
All kneel.
Celebrant:
Sisters and brothers, in this solemn service, we wish to welcome new members into our community before Almighty God and before you all.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you said: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. We believe that you are here with us now as we welcome the candidates present into our knightly community. Strengthen our community through them and let us practise together the knightly virtues of ‘prudence, justice, obedience, faith, helpfulness, courage, loyalty and wisdom’ so that we may draw ever closer to you. Strengthen and guide the new members of our community. We ask this through our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessing of the insignia
Celebrant:
Lord Jesus Christ, you said: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.’ Let these insignia be signs of harmony, peace and concern for one another. Drive from our midst all evil that seeks to sow hatred and discord in our hearts. Make the bearers of these signs faithful witnesses to your message. Bless with this prayer the signs of our community, so that all who bear them may be accompanied by your help. Grant this to us through the Triune God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grand Master enters into dialogue with the candidates
Grand Master asks the candidates to repeat the vow
Afterwards, the Grand Master, assisted by the Prior, decorates the invested members of the Knighthood with the accolade.
The celebrant blesses the new members and all those present.
Celebrant:
Let us pray: Almighty God, today you have given our community new members and thereby strengthened us all. Continue to guide us through your Holy Spirit, so that we may walk with confidence and strength on the path you have shown us to serve you. We ask this through our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ. Amen.
May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain in your community for all time. Amen.
Commitment – Dialogue with the candidates
Grand Master enters into dialogue with the candidates
Grand Master:
Brothers, have you come here of your own free will and without coercion to stand before the altar of our community in order to join this, our community, the Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe? Are you prepared to accept the constitution and rules of the Knighthood?
All candidates: Yes, we are prepared.
Grand Master:
Are you prepared to represent and support the guiding principle of our community, ‘PRO DEO – PRO EUROPAE CHRISTIANAE UNITATE – PRO VITA’, with all your strength, including in your daily lives?
All candidates: Yes, we are prepared.
Grand Master:
Are you prepared to obey the rules of our community and to participate expressly in the spread of the faith, as is the duty of every knight?
All candidates: Yes, we are ready.
Grand Master:
Are you prepared to actively support your fellow brothers in their work for the principles of our community to the best of your ability?
All candidates: Yes, we are ready.
Grand Master:
Are you prepared to live your lives in such a way that your conduct will show that you belong to our community and that you wish to bear witness to our Christian community through your personal behaviour?
All candidates: Yes, we are prepared.
Oath & knighting ceremony
The Grand Master asks the candidates to repeat the oath:
Grand Master:
Brothers and sisters, during the questioning, you declared that you came here of your own free will and that you accept the rules and statutes of our community. Now repeat after me:
With the help of the Triune God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we vow to uphold the motto of the Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe: ‘PRO DEO – PRO EUROPAE CHRISTIANAE UNITATE -PRO VITA’ as the motto of our lives, to follow the decisions of the committees of our community, to practise the knightly virtues and to assist the brothers and sisters in the community of our knighthood to the best of our ability.
Grand Master:
You are now full members of our community.
Receive the insignia of your membership, which should guide you in your service and not be a source of vanity.
Assisted by the Prior, the Grand Master knights the invested members of the Knighthood.
Prayer for Christian unity
Jesus said: ‘May they all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so that they may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me, so that they may be perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:21-23)
Lord, we confess that human weakness and guilt have divided your Church. Christianity today consists of many churches and small groups.
Your message is proclaimed in different ways. Differences in faith prevent unity.
Send the Spirit of knowledge to Christianity. Help us to remove misunderstandings and prejudices. Open our hearts to the whole truth.
Let us pray: Lord, our God, where two or three are gathered in the name of your Son, there is your kingdom in the midst of the world. Help us in our meetings to always see the whole picture that you demand of us. Send your Spirit upon us to strengthen and enliven us when we grow weary. We ask this through our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ.