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Premeable 1
PREAMBLE
These men placed their society under the patronage of St. John the
Baptist, “greatest of men, born of women,” a patron of that most
glorious of chivalric orders, the Knights of St. John Hospitallers,
afterwards known as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes
and Malta. This society was later incorporated by Chapter 284 of
the Laws of 1886 of the State of New York.
2 Preamble
It set forth as a further purpose the creation among
its members of a spirit of fraternity, sympathy and charity to be
evidenced in the alleviation of the needs of members of this
brotherhood incurred through illness or misfortune, and the
promotion of a more generous and filial respect for the spiritual
authority of the Roman Catholic Church among its members.
Preamble 3
The following revised Constitution of the KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN
INTERNATIONAL will serve our Brother Knights well into the
new century in the spirit of religious fraternalism as envisioned by
our founders.
4. Introduction
CONSTITUTION
OFTHE
PURPOSES
CHAPTER I
Supreme Conventions
January first of the year in which the Convention is held. If any Local
Commandery fails to certify a name to the Grand Commandery, the
Grand Commandery President shall select a representative from the
membership of such Local Commandery, who may cast its vote.
CHAPTER II
Supreme Commandery
OFFICERS
SECTION l. At each Supreme Convention, the following officers of
the Supreme Commandery shall be elected:
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 6. The Supreme Secretary shall have the care and custody
of all records of the Supreme Commandery, as well as of the Widow
and Orphan Department and of the Death Benefit Fund Department.
He shall act as editor of the official organ, (the Knights Journal)
of the Knights of St. John International, which shall be published
at least once every three (3) months, unless in the opinion of the
Supreme Board it is desirable that it shall not be published so often.
He shall keep on hand all necessary supplies for all Subordinate
Commanderies and furnish them at reasonable cost. He shall,
under instructions from the Supreme President or Supreme First
or Second Vice-President acting as Supreme President, send under
cover to the President of each Grand Commandery as many copies
in cipher of the secret work of the organization as there are Local
and District Commanderies within the jurisdiction of such Grand
Commanderies. He shall answer every communication directed to
him within three days of its receipt by him, unless it is impossible
to do, so and it is hereby made the
Sections 6 21
To honor and retire such policies under the Widow and Orphan
Department as now exist.
SECTION 16. The fiscal year shall end on the last day of April of
each year.
SECTION 17. The Supreme Board of Trustees shall have the power
to devise and adopt such ritual for the Order as they may determine
to be necessary and to fix the qualifications, required of members for
their initiation in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Noble Degree
and any other Degrees now or hereafter established, and may alter
such ritual from time to time, and may make such rules relative to
the exemplification of the ritual as they may deem necessary and
proper; provided, however, that all persons who may hereafter be
received in this organization shall be required to receive at least the
First Degree of the ritual of the Order before he shall be entitled to
the benefits of membership in the Order.
26 Chapter II - Supreme Commandery
SECTION 19. The Supreme President shall receive for his services
annually the sum of $750.00 and the Supreme Treasurer shall
receive for his services the sum of $ 1,000 .00, and said
salaries shall be payaple in monthly installments, and both offices
shall further be reimbursed for actual expenses, only while engaged
in the performance of their duties. The Supreme Secretary for his
services shall receive the sum annually not exceeding $10,000.00.
He shall be reimbursed for his actual expense while engaged in the
performance of his duties. The Supreme Board of Trustees shall
Sections 19 - 20.5 27
SECTION 24. All Past Supreme Officers and Officers of the Staff of
the Supreme President and all Past Grand Field and Staff Officers and
Field and Staff Officers of the District Commanderies of the Knights
of St. John International who shall have equipped themselves in the
manner prescribed by this Constitution for the positions to which
they were appointed, or elected, and commissioned, and shall have
served one full term as such officers, (or in the case of the officers
of the general staff during the period from the date of commission
to the expiration of the term of the Supreme Commander) and who
have rendered obedience to the laws of the Supreme Commandery
and the orders of the Supreme Commander or his representatives,
and have been faithful in the discharge of the duties of the office to
which they have been commissioned, shall be entitled, when they
retire from active service as such officers, to wear the uniform of
their rank as officers. The Jewel of Honor can be provided by the
Sections 24 - 26 29
SECTION 27. Passwords and secret work shall be given for the first
time to candidates when they arc initiated in the degre to which such
password or secret work applies. Changes in password and secret
work shall, with the exception of that of the Fourth or Noble Degree,
be fust imparted to the Grand President Passwords shall be given
only to such members of a Local Commandery as are declared by
the Financial Secretary thereof, to be in good standing. Each Grand
President, or other Knights of St. John International having charge
of the exemplification of a degree, may, however, impart to a person
Seeking to know the same, such password, upon the presentation
of proof from the fin;mcial Secretary of the Local Commandery
to which such person belongs that such person is entitled to know
such password. Candidates for a degree will be presumed, wh n
taking such degree, to be seeking to know the password of such
degree. Except as hereinbefore provided, passwords shall be given
by members to no person excepting the acting officers, authorised
to receive the same by the ritual of the Knights of St. John
International. For purpose of identification, secret work will be
furnished to members of the various Commanderies as prescribed
in the ritual. Password and secret work shall be communicated to
the Grand President of each Grand Commandery as provided in
Chapter II,
Sections 27-28 31
ORGANIZING DEPARTMENT
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
CHAPTER III
OFFICERS
Presidents to serve for a period of two (2) years until such time as
their successors have been appointed, qualified and installed.
a. Supreme Subordinate Spiritual Director
b. Supreme Subordinate Judge -Advocate
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Meetings
SECTION 18. The following members shall have the right to cast
one (I) vote at all elections and on issues at the Supreme Subordinate
Conventi on.
a. The Supreme Subordinate Spiritual Director
b. The Supreme Subordinate President
c. All Past Supreme Subordinate Presidents
d. The Supreme Subordinate 1st Vice-President
e. The Supreme Subordinate 2nd Vice-President
f. The Supreme Subordinate Secretary
g. The Supreme Subordinate Treasurer
h. The Supreme Subordinate Judge Advocate
1. The Supreme Subordinate Trustees (2)
OFFICERS
SECTION 9. The officers shall consist of a Spiritual Director, a
Grand President, a Grand First Grand President, a Grand Second
Vice President, a Grand Secretary, a Grand Financial secretary, a
Grand Treasurer, a Judge-Advocate, a Grand Sergeant-at-Aims, a
Grand Messenger, a Grand Guard and Trustees.
SECTION 10. The Grand President shall have the military rank of
Brigadier General. The Grand First Vice President, Grand Second
Vice President and the Grand Secretary shall have the military rank
of Colonel.
MEETINGS
SECTION 22. Officers and Delegates to the Grand Commandery
meeting shall, unless excused by the meeting, be required to be in
attendance at every session thereof. The Grand Secretary shall call
the roll of officers and delegates at each session, and note absentees.
46 Chapter IV - Grand Commanderies
CHAPTERV
District Commanderies
OFFICERS
prevent any member from being nominated from the floor at the
time of the report of the committees.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 11. The Paymaster shall receive all moneys paid into the
District Commandery, giving his receipt for same . He shall cash
all orders on the treasury. as dir cted by the District Commandery,
and when requested he shall exhibit his books to the Auditing
Committee. Within seven days he shall deposit all receipts in a
Local Bank designated by the District Com’ mandery. Any surplus
funds shall be invested as directed by the District Commandery.
52 Chapter V - District Commanderies
SECTION 12. The other military officers shall perform such duties
as usually pertain to their respective positions.
REGIMENTS
SECTION 19. Any officer shall be subject to re moval from office
who shall fail to perform the duties pertaining to his office, after
having been duly notified by the Adjutant; if an elected officer, by
the majority vote of the District Commandery, and if an appointed
officer, by the Colonel or officer appointing him.
54
Sections 1 - 2 55
CHAPTER VI
Local Commanderies
the provisions of this section, it shall forfeit all claims, rights and
privileges of membership in the Knights of St. John International
and be expelled from the Knights of St. John International by the
Supreme Board of Trustees; and any member of any Commandery
joining a secret society condemned by the Catholic Church, or
retaining membership in such a society, after becoming a member
of a Local Commandery, shall be considered, ipso facto, expelled
and neither he nor his representatives, nor his beneficiaries shall be
entitled to any benefits from the Knights of St. John International
or any Commandery therein or any department thereof. Local
Commanderies may define and provide for the punishment of
members who violate the by-laws or are guilty of misconduct as
determined by their Commandery.
for a lesser fee or for no fee during a fixed interval, upon conditions
to be fixed and determined by the Supreme Board. Sons of members
may be admitted without paying an initiation fee.
NAME
SECTION 13. The Commandery shall be known as Commandery
No. ___________________________________________, of the
Knights of St. John International of _________________________
and shall consist of not less than fifteen members, possessing
the powers and privileges of a Local Commandery within the
jurisdiction of the Supreme Commandery, under whose authority
it exists by virtue of a charter duly granted by the Supreme
Commandery, while acting in conformity with the laws, enactments,
rules and regulations of the Supreme Cornmandery of the Knights
of St. John International.
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 19. Any man between the ages of sixteen and fifty-five
years, (or older where application is for social or honorary member)
and who is a practicing Catholic
may become a member of a Local Commandery on the following
conditions:
Sections 19 - 20 63
office shall be for one year commencing on the first day of January
following their election. Terms of all other officers shall not be less
than one nor more than three years, and it may be provided that
the terms of the members of the Board of Trustees shall expire at
different times, and an officer other than the President or Recording/
Corresponding Secretary or financial Secretary may be elect d as
such Trustee. All local officers except Trustees shall be elected by
a majority of all votes cast, but on any ballot taken. the persons
having the largest number of vote for Trustees elected.
68 Chapter VI - Local Commanderies
from such Local Commandery stating the time and cause of such
expulsion. The Supreme Secretary, Grand Secretary and Secretary
of Local Commanderies receiving such notice shall thereupon
record the same together with all data, in an alphabetical index,
and each of said Local Commanderies’ Secretaries shall at the
next meeting of his Commandery read the same. No expelled
member shall be admitted into, or if admitted, retained in any other
Commandery unless he shall have previously been reinstated in
the Local Commandery expelling him and has paid all dues, fines
and assessments standing against him. It shall be the duty of the
Recording/Cor responding Secretary of each Local Commandery
to report to the Supreme Secretary each month the time of meetings
and all expulsions, resignations, deaths, applications, initiations and
changes of addresses. The report of membership herein required to
be made by the Recording/Corresponding Secretary of each Local
Commandery shall be filled out in duplicate on the forms provided
by the Supreme Secretary, and both copies shall be transmitted,
not later than January 10th each year, to the Grand Secretary, and
one copy by him delivered to the Supreme Secretary, and the other
retained for his files.
SECTION 35. The Trustees shall hold in trust for the Commandery
all property belonging to the Commandery, audit all bills referred
to them, and if found correct, approve the same. They shall have
full power at any time to examine all books, papers and vouchers
belonging to the Commandery in the hands of the Secretaries and
Treasurer and transact whatever other business the Commandery
may from time to time require of them.
BENEFITS
SECTION 44. If any elective office becomes vacant for any cause
whatsoever, the officer holding the office next in rank, shall perform
the duties of the office so becoming vacant until it is filled by
election.
MEETINGS
HOLY COMMUNION
PENALTIES
SECTION 50. Any member who is in the arrears for three months
dues shall stand suspended, and if he is in arrears for six months
dues he may be expelled by a majority vote of the members present
at a regular business meeting of the Commandery.
SECTION 52. All moneys other than monthly dues owing to the
Commandery from a member, shall, when the same are due, be
charged to the member as dues.
Sections 53 - 56 77
FUNERALS
FUNDS
SUPPLIES
SECTION 59. All rituals, books and printed blank forms furnished
by the Supreme Commandery shall be purchased through the
Supreme Secretary and it shall be unlawful for any officer of the
Commandery to secure such articles elsewhere.
Sections 59 - 61 79
RETIRED LIST
Miscellaneous
SECTION 62. Whenever it is provided in this Constitution, or in
any by-law of a subordinate Commandery that a member must be a
Sir-Knight to be eligible to hold any position, the words shall mean
a uniformed member of any Commandery, or one on the retired
list thereof, and shall include uniformed privates and officers, but
no others. A non-uniformed member shall be known as a Brother
Knight.
80 Chapter VI - Local Commanderies
JEWEL OF HONOR
JEWEL OF HONOR
SECTION 64. Member must have been in good standing with the
Knights of St. John International for twenty-five (25) consecutive
years. He must have been exemplified into the First, Second, Third
and Noble Degrees. He must have attended at least fifty per cent
(50%) of all Commandery meetings during those 25 years. Ile must
be active in Commandery functions; participated in Commandery
Church Functions; participated in Commandery Committees, either
as a worker or chairperson; and must have helped the Community
and Commandery with Charitable Programs.
CHAPTER VII
Cadet Commanderies
attached.
CHAPTER VIII
Ladies Auxiliaries
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
Military
COATS
coat; collar and cuffs to be of black velvet, lining of the coat, black.
Cadets - Black pants, white long sleeve shirt, black tie and black
shoes.
BUTTONS
Coat buttons shall have the Knights of St. John Cross in the center,
and around the inside rim the inscription, “Knights of St. John” in
raised work.
Section - Military 93
COLLARS
A white standing collar closed in front to project not more than one-
half inch above the collar of coat.
TROUSERS
All Officers will be of approved black cloth, without stripe, welt
or cord.
Sir-Knights - Same as for officers, but with white stripe
CHAPEAUS
General Officers and Officers of the General Staff - A black silk
plush chapeau trimmed on left side with black satin rosette, with
gold-embroidered Knights of St. John Cross on black velvet center.
On right side, the device, “K
of St. J’. in Old English, embroidered on black velvet center,
surrounded by one-eighth inch embroidered border all in gold; gold
colored chapeau tassel in front, black ostrich feathers going over
crown from front tassel to the rear of the chapeau, slashing of black
silk ribbon, two inches wide, diagonally across both peaks on each
side.
PLUMES
All Officers - Two or three black ostrich feathers, going over crown
from front to rear, extending over back.
EPAULETTES
General - Of gold, with solid crescent, device, two silver stars with
five rays each and Cross of Knights of St. John in gold, placed
between them.
Lieutenant-General - Sarne as for General, device, gold Knights of
St. John Cross in center of pad between two small silver stars, and
one large star on shank.
Major-General - Sarne as for General, device, gold Knights of St.
John Cross in center of pad and two stars on shank, respectively one
and one-half and one and onefourth inches placed longitudinally on
the shank and equidistant, ranging in order of size from the cresent.
Brigadier-General - Sarne as for General, with device, gold Knights
Section - Military 95
GENERAL STAFF
SHOULDER KNOTS
BRIGADE STAFF
REGIMENTAL STAFF
Lieutenant Colonel - Two silver leaves, one on each end of the pad.
Battalion Adjutant - One silver bar at each end with device, United
States shield in silver on center of pad.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF
COMMANDERY OFFICERS
First Lieutenant - Same as for Captain, but with one silver bar at
each end of pad.
AIGUILLETIES
Aids on General Staff and Adjutants - On the top and secono button
right side of coat.
Section - Military 99
GLOVES
SASH
General - Of buff silk net, with silk bullion. fringe ends; sash to be
worn across the body from the left shoulder to the right side.
SWORD BELT
BELTPIATE
SWORDS
SWORD KNOT
CHEVRONS
Non-Commissioned Regimental and Battalion Staff - The rank of
Non-Commissioned Officers will be marked on the uniform dress
coat by chevrons of white cord, onehalf inch wide. The chevrons
will be worn points down, above the elbow. The arms of the chevron
bar to be six to seven inches long to be the arcs of a circle of about
twenty five inches radius, and to meet at an angle of about ninety
six degrees; distance between extreme outer ends about nine inches.
The rank will be indicated as follows:
Sergeant-Major - Three bars, an arc of three bars.
Quartermaster-Sergeant - Three bars and a tie of three bars.
Color-Sergeant - Three bars and a sphere one and one-quarter inch
in diameter .
First Sergeant - Three bars and a lozenge. For all other Sergeants
- Three bars.
102 Chapter XI - Military
SERVICE STRIPES
The Standard Knights of St . John flag shall be of white silk, with red
Knights of St. John Cross in center. Guidons to be white silk, with
number of District Commandery and State painted or embroidered
thereon.
Shirt - White, with appropriate collar and black, four in hand tie.
White strap and black visor, band and welt, white for Sir Knights.
Gold strap and black visor and gold silk machine embroidery band
and welt for Officers.
CHAPTER XII
FUNERAL CEREMONIES
thru the arch. Then detail is ordered to carry; return swords, and
dismissed to join procession to the cemetery where they are to be
reformed.
15 Apr. ‘78
CHAPTER XIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments to the Supreme Constitution shall
be made as follows: The Supreme Board of Trustees may upon
request of any subordinate Commandery or of its own motion
submit to all of the Grand Commanderies and to the Local
Unattached Commanderies any proposed amendments or repeals
to the Constitution after the same has been published in the official
organ prior to the meeting of any such Grand Commandery. Such
amendments or repeals must be acted upon at the next meeting of
such Grand Commanderies and Unattached Local Commanderies
and must receive a favorable majority of the total membership
of the Knights of St. John International. Certification of the
results must be certified by the Grand Commanderies and Local
Unattached Commanderies to the Supreme Board of Trustees on
or before July 1st of the same year for proper action; provided that
no such amendments or repeals may be submitted to the Grand
Commanderies during the same year the Supreme Convention will
be in session.
CHAPTER II
Supreme Commandexy
Audit of Funds and Records.............................. 14 24
Bonding of Officers.............................. ............. 28 31
Compensation of Officers..................... ............ 19 26
Degree Qua lifications.................... ...................
Duties- 18 26
President........................................................ 3 18
First Vice-President........................... ............. 4 19
Second Vice President....................... ............ 5 19
Secretary........................................... ............ . 6 20
Treasurer........................................... ............ 7 22
116 Index
Sec. Page
T rustees............................ ............................. 8 23
Other Officers................................ ........... ..... 22 27
Fiscal Year....... ... ........................ ....................... 16 25
Funds - Control of................................ ......... 15 25
Jewel of Honor.......................................... ........ 25 29
Qualifications - Uniformed Rank................. 63 80
Qualifications - Non-Uniformed Rank......... 64 81
Officers -
Elective 1 16
Appointive 2 17
Past 24 28
Organizing Department. 29 32
Passwords 26 29
Passwords - Candidates 27 30
Rituals - Adoption and Control. 17 25
Supreme Counsel. 20 27
Supreme Organizer 21 27
Trustees -
Organizing Department. 12 24
Per Capita Tax Exemptions 10 24
Supervision and Contro l. 9 23
Surplus Fund Investments. 13 24
Territory Limits - Defined 11 24
Vacancies - Supreme Officers 23 28
CHAPTER III
Supreme Subordinates Commanderies Ghana and Nigeria
Authority ......................................................... 1 33
By-Laws ........ ...... .............................................. 3 33
Index 117
Duties-
Supreme Subordinate President.. ........ ..... ...... 6 34
Supreme Subordinate Secretary..................... 7 35
Supreme Subordinate Treasurer.......... .......... 8 36
Supreme Subordinate Judge.Advocate........... 9 36
Officers ............................................................ 4 34
Board of Directors ......... .................................... 5 34
CHAPTERIV
Grand Commanderies
As ssments - Notice by Grand Secretary. 5 40
Assessments - Payable to Grand Treasurer. 6 40
Composition of Grand Commandery. 2 39
Duties-
President 13 42
First Vice-President 14 43
Second Vice-President. 15 43
Secretary 16 43
Treasurer 17 44
Judge Advocate 18 44
Trustees 19 44
Election of Officers. 12 42
Locations - Geographically. 8 41
Meetings. l 39
Meetings - Attendances -
Officers and Delegates. 21 45
Membership - Minimum Requirement. 7 41
Nominating Committees 11 41
Officers 19 41
Organizer 22 45
Per Capita Tax- Power to Levy. 3 40
Per Capita Tax - Failure to Pay. 4 40
118 Index
CHAPTERV
District Commanderies
Board of Officers - Members Eligible............. .
Brigades and Regiments........... ........................ .
Composition of District Commandery..............
Duties-
Commander ........................................ ..........
Adjutant ............................ ...........................
120 Index
Sec. Page
Initiation Fee .................................................... 5 56
Meetings - Regular ......................................... 46 75
Meetings - Special .......................................... 46 75
Members in Need ............................................. 43 74
Members in Arrears .......................................... 50 76
Members Required to Attend Meetings -
Drills ............................................................. 55 77
Membership -
Cards 6 57
Classifications 22 64
Degree Requirements 23 65
Other Degree Requirements 18 26
Eligibility 19 62
Restrictions 2 55
Restrictions to One Commandery 12 60
Rolls and Per Capita Tax 16 61
Moneys Owed by Members 52 76
Nominating Committees 25 66
Nominations - Elections - Installations 26 67
Non-Uniformed Members 10 59
Penalties 49 76
Per Capita Tax - When Due 17 62
Per Capita Tax - Delinquency 18 62
Re-application for Membership 53 77
Reinstatement of Member 4 56
Rejections of Applica tions. 3 56
Resign ations 7 57
Retired Officers 60 79
Sick and Deceased Members’ Protection 42 74
Sir Knights - Definition. 62 80
Supplies - Where to Obtain 59 78
Suspension of Member 51 76
Index 121
Sec. Page
Transfer of Member......................... ..... ............ 8 57
Transfers - Mergers - Relocations ................. 61 79
Uniform Rank Defini tions................................ 62 80
Uniform Requirements....................... .............. 56 77
Vacancies ......................................................... 44 75
Withdrawal by Member...................... .............. 45 75
CHAPTER VII
Cadet Commanderies
Affiliated with Local Commande ry...................
3
83
Cadets - Eligible to Join Knights....... ............ .. 6 84
Charters - By Supreme Commandery............ . 2 83
Delegate to Grand and District Commandery... 3 83
Formation of a Cadet Commandery. ................. 1 83
Organizer .......................................... ..... .......... 5
84
Per Capita Tax......... ....... ....................... ........... 4 83
Sponsors .......................................................... 5 84
CHAPTER VIII
Ladies Auxiliaries
Duty of Knights to Foster and Support..... ........ 85
CHAPTERIX
Widow and Orphan Department
Administration ................................................. 3 86
Reserve Funds -
Final Distributions ................... ...................... 3 87
Loan Restrictions ......................................... 3 86
122 Index
CHAPTERX
Death Benefit Fund Department
Death Benefit-
Sec. Page
CHAPTER XI
Military
Drill Exemptions - Field and staff Officers.... .. 1 9 1
Drill Regulations...................... ......................... 2 91
Uniforms - Officers and Sir Knights................ 3 91-105
CHAPTER XII
Funeral
Funeral Ceremonies .................... ...... .......... ...... 106
CHAPTER XIII
Amendments
Procedure for submission.......... ....................... . I I 12
Filing Requirements................... ...................... . 2 113
In Thy Strength, 0 Lord, the just man shall exult, and in Thy
salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his
heart’s desire. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, that every thought, word
and action which we offer in memory of the sufferings of Thy Holy
Martyr, Saint John the Baptist, may by his intercession profit us
unto salvation, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth
and reignth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world
without end. Amen .