A NEW ORDER OF CHIVALRY

New Zealand Tablet, 13 September 1906, Page 11

A NEW ORDER OF CHIVALRY

KNIOHTHOOD OF OUR LADY OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS The following Pastoral Letter has been issued by his Grace the Archbishop of Mel-bourne :— • ' ' _ - St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, " .August 24, 1906. Very Rev. and Rev. Fathers, and Dearly Beloved Brethren. - t A striking characteristic of the Middle Ages was the influence exercised on the moral and social condition of the people by the institution of chivalry. It is not necessary to go back to its origin. Itjwill be sufficient for our present purpose to say that the Order of knighthood was the outcome' and embodiment of the spirit of chivalry. To men living in the world the knight represented the highest ideals of social conduct. He was distinguished for his love of religion, valor, courtesy, fidelity, munificence, sense of - justice, and in a special miaamer for his loyalty and devotion in upholding the honor of woman. Next to the service of God, the protection of the weak, and more particularly of the weaker sex, . was regarded as at once the duty and the privilege of. the true knight. Nor was this duty confined to home, or kindred, or native country. It extended to every place where the honor of God, the- defence of the weak, or the respect due to Woman called for its exercise. Like all /things human, it had its limitations and •defects and abuses ; but, as a whole, it made for the quickening ■of the religious sentiment, the refining of manners, . the humanising of the art of war, the practice of self-denial, the redress of many social wrongs, and the elevation and pure love of woman. $his spirit of chivalry, as Hallam tells us in his history of the Middle Ages, left behind it a more valuable successor. The character of the knight gradually- subsided in that of gentleman, and the one distinguished European society in • the 16th and 17th centuries, as much as the other did in the preceding ages. But time, as he adds, has effaced much also of this -gentlemanly, as it did before of the chivalrous character. decay, both of the chivalrous and • gentlemanly spirit, he attributes, in ' part, to increasing commercial wearth7""The modes of =life~ in modern great cities, and the levelling customs of social intercourse. . . » But more deep-seated causes of this decay are-^to be -found in the. loss of the true faith, the spread of - and agnosticism, the corruption of morals, the frequency o f divorce, the limitation of the family, ' the Wutahsing effects of sensual gratifications, and ' the consequent degradation of woman, both in married ! and single state. , , . Whether we close our eyes to the facts, or look them honestly in the face, these are the deadly and I widespread evils of modern society. There is no necessity for .-adding to the number. It is "true that intemperance and gambling are very grievous evils ■ but they do not touch the springs of humanity, the very roots of social life, «■ as do the evils I have ' enumerated. Neither is - it necessary to be pessimistic, and. say .that our age is worse , than . any former age. It ,. is sufficient that we have in bur midst most grave evils, which are spreading like a cancer,- and which we have it in our power by individual, as well

___ _ as by united effort, to restrain, if not to eradicate. How can we do this better - than ' by reviving the spirit of Christian chivalry and the order of knight 2 ' hood ? In his first epistle, the prince of the Apostles intimates that every Christian has to fulfil the duties ot a spiritual priesthood. . 4 But youj' fie says, * are a chosen generation, a kingly- priesthood, —a holy nation, a purchased people : that you may .declare His virtues, who called you out of- darkness into His mar* vellous. light: '-(I. Peter, ii. 9)., The knights who bore arms during the Crusades felt that they bore them more for a religious than for a military purpose. When assisting at Mass, the -knight held the point of his naked sword before, him while the ~ gospel "was read, to signify -that he was always prepared to defend and obey it. The knightly ami theTpriestly char- - acters were often compared by writers of the ages of chivalry. The investiture of the one was supposed to correspond with the ordination of the other. -In the Roman Pontifical we have, to this day, the prayers N and religious ceremonies with which the knight wasinitiated.. His sword and spurs were ■ solemnly- blessed, and presented by the Bishop, who, with a gentle stroke of the sword on the shoulder, frade him to be 4 ' a peace-loving knight, strenuous, faithful, and devoted to God.' _ - • .1 It was in that spiriV.that the knights of - old went forth, to preserve peace, or, as it might be, to make war on the _enemies - of God, of their -country, or of society. , . As far as society is concerned, the order of knighthood is needed now more than it was in the Middle Ages. There. are more deep-seated wrongs to be. redressed, more serious evils to -be cured. In the Mid-die f Ages marriage was recognised as the sacred arid sacramental institution intended by God ' for the lawful propagation of the - human race, and the inseparable " union of man and woman in family life. Butt to-Bay outside the Catholic , Church marriage . has lost its sac-, ramental, and much of its sacred character. The primary purpose of "the Almighty in instituting marriage is largely frustrated -by the artificial limitation of the family, and by l race suicide. The indissolubility of marriage is destroyed by the recognition of divorce, andy the unity of marriage is practically dissolved, not, -indeed, by simultaneous, but by succes- * sive polygamy. Then, outside the married state, who can. enumerate or weigh the sins of unchastity which defile the. earth, cry to heaven for vengeance, and~ corrupt, souls created to the image and likeness of God. Stand at the street corner, listen where men or- boys are congregated, in the office, „ or workshop, or factory ' and how often will not the mouth be heard speaking from the abundance of a corrupt and unchaste heart. See that young couple ; they are keeping company, perhaps with a view to future marriage, perhaps for mere amusement. . Their parents allow them unrestricted opportunities of solitary meetings and of lonely walks, and after a time profess : the greatest surprise and indignation when they learn that the daughter's ruin -has been accomplished, and that .the author of her fall refuses to make, by a speedy marriage, even the inadequate, compensation which still remains in -his power. Even if she escapes becoming a total wreck, - ' how is the gold become dim, finest color is changed, ,_the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street.' Although the latest official statistics, connected with the illegitimate birth rate of Victoria, ~are by no means exhaustive, still they throw appallingly lurid light on the extent and enormity of secret crime. -If in ancient - times the flood was sent to puree the corrupted earth, and fire descended from heaven to destroy the cities of the plain, are the sins and unnatural excesses of modern times less deserving of swift and, startling punishment ? One thing at least is certain, namely, that there is abundant scope for the exercise of that lay apostolate, that lay - priest-noo-d, with which the knight's office -is invested There is no danger of any conflict or collision; between t. the two. .priesthoods. They operate in different spheres,, and are exercised on different occasion's. The . Church is the centre of the one ; the street the market-place, the cricket-ground, the shop, the factory every place where, men .congregate, as well as the pf i--vate home, is the sphere of the other. The knights of old made diligent preparation for the exercise pf -their high office. They first cleansed themselves before they undertook the work of purifying others. They vowed the observance of all ' the" .virtues that become a true knight— chastity according to their state ; .justice, valor, fidelity, and courtesy. '!* All who are willing to imitate their example to practise the. virtues they practised, to uphold the duties and responsibilities of married life^to protect the purity of the young, to put 'a stop, as far as op-

portunity may allow, to every ' word and act calculated to offend modesty and injure innocence, are invited to become -sharers in this new spiritual crusswte" The members will be distinguished by the ceremony of initiation, and by' wearing a " distinctive badge appropriate to the order. During the ceremony of initiation each candidate will make the following promises :—: — & 1. As a true Knight I promise to practise in pubhe and in private, at home ,and abroad, the virtues of .the knightly office. 2. To promote the faithful fulfilment of the- duties of the married state. 3. To shield from harm and stain the dignity and purity of woman. 4. To suppress by every legitimate means all indecency .in word .or action. N 5^ To exhibit towards all, male and female" a chivalrous courtesy. By these promises each candidate undertakes' to give in his own life an example of the virtues which' he desires to promote in the lives of others. In the government of the order the organisation will be as simple as possible. -After the. first year it will be -governed by a Council, composed of the Archbishop for the time being, the chaplain, and the present and past lay presidents. The first president will be appointed by the Archbishop of the diocese, and the succeeding presidents will be elected annually by the Council. Besides the Archbishop, who will act as patron, and . appoint the chaplain, the. 'lay Council will- have the entire direction of the order in its own hanaS. Enrolments of new members will take place from time to time throughout - the Archdiocese, and each .- year there will be held- in St. Patrick's Cathedral on the anniversary- of its foundation a general meeting of the order. The first. ceremony of enrolment will take place in the Cathedral at 3 o'clock on Sunday, 9th September. ..Meantime, the badges, which -are to be blessed on that occasion, may be procured from the Sacristan at the ■ Cathedral, or at St. Patrick's or St. Francis' presbytery. '- The wearing of the badges will distinguish the" members of the order, and will give them authority to intervene, in due season, and with all charity for the protection of morality, for- the defence of the weak, and for the practice of that chivalrous respect and high courtesy towards womankind, of which their own conduct will furnish the most practical and convincing illustration. To support a high standard of' personal piety, and to be prepared to do battle in the cause of truth - 111 1 IC £u s°?°?' and mor ality, supernatural help is needed. That help comes through prayer and the. Sacraments. Whosoever desires, therefore, to be a true knight must make use of these abundant means of sanctification. • In the sodalities, confraternities, and societies con- ' nected with the Church, will be found the surest and easiest guarantee for- fidelity in using v these "'powerful means of sanctification. The ranks of the knights of Our i 11 ?^ f the Southern Cross will, doubtllss be recruited - chiefly from the present and future members of these societies, for every knight should, as far as possible, be a member of one or other of the religious sodalities or societies. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted to membership. * In conclusion, as it is Australian, we place the order under the protection and patronage of Our Lady ?n «2 out^ m Why we do so 6 -is expressed N . f . a f ullar but ever exquisite words of Cardinal ' °'vu m 7m 7 dear children, young men and young women, what need have you of the intercession of the Virgin-mother, of her help, or her pattern in this respect f What shall bring you forward in ,the narrow way, »L you live in the .world, but the thought and- ! Patronage of Mary! What shall seal your S senses what shall tranquillize your heart, when sights a-nd sounds of danger are around you, lmt Mary? What shall give you patience and endurance, when you are wearied out with the length of , the conflict with evil with the unceasing necessity of precautions, with the irksomeness of observing them,- with the tediousness of their repetition, with the strain upon ■ your mind with your forlorn and cheerless condition, &it a lov-ing-communion with her? She will comfort you in your discouragements, solace, you in ' your . fatigues raise you after your falls, reward you for your successes. She will show you her Son, your God and your all. When your snirit within you is excited or relaxed, or depressed,, when it loses its balance when it is restless and wayward, when it is sick of what it has, and hankers after what it 'has not when

your eye is solicited ,with evil, and your mortal irame trembles under the shadow"' of the Tempter J!? a L Vl b^ g . you to your - yourselves, to peace and !li !SL\' but the cool breath of the Immaculate -S2L+ *f -^ gr^ C fu 0 , f . -^ Rose of Sha r o n? It is - boast of the Catholic religion, that it has the gift of making the young heart chaste; and why-is this, but that it gives us Jesus for, our foodj and Mary to i our nursing Mother? Fulfil this boast in yourselves; prove to, the world that you are- following no false teaching, vindicate the glory of you Mother Mary whom the world blasphemes, in the very face ii n he j, orl l b 7.b 7. the simplicity of your own deportment, and the. sanctity of your words and deeds Go h2 „«£ i ° r -^ he c ro J al , heart of "^oeence. She is the tSK^S ? *l 2f2 f *°A> whioh outshines the fascinasn dnn r-« 2 WOrlt !> and which no one ever sought in sincerity and was disappointed.' Pir>minl S unn . ecessa . r y to remind you of what" the same «£SSL Wr e , r *?v careful t0 emphasise in .another passage, namely,,, that the glories of Mary are for Ipv " o?V fi Je^ US , ; and that we praise and bless nei as the first, of creatures, that we may "duly confess Bim as our sole Creator. . y 'w\ e r? la ?? our -order of knighthood specially under her Protection, because it is intended chiefly for "tfie honor and defence of woman, and because woman's nature is elevated and glorified in- her, -who was Sit dice a- Virgin and a mother. Since Christ was borri of: a" woman, no -man, as the learned Bishop of Peoria Ini ' i? a ,\ wnt c. .worthily of, a woman who does not approach the subject with a kind of religious" reverence; and a true man will ever, treat woman, both m life and literature, not swith justice merely butZ LFZ?™? fi y m P atl ?y- Into her arms Ware bom! SL^nif St " our hel l )1 I css cr4es are -hushed; and her £.J^w Cl< i ?e OUr eyes when the lieht' is goAe. Watch: ing -her lips, our own become vocal; in her eyes we read the mystery of faith, hope, and love ; led Zy - w,V?^- 1Ca 7 t ? l00k up and to' walk in the way 01 obedience to law. frw»iS c 0 ,, hel / as motlier » as sister, as wife, as friend, the tenderest emotions of life, the purest as ter" 2d , the nob i est -dements of charaiL iSrm^ q£ completes t sympathy in all our toy and v nfp a Hhrn flO r Wers <?f? f heaven into the ve£ tuie of eaithly life. In poetry, painting, sculpture 1 and religion, she . gives us ideals of the fir and Wt ful. Innocence is a- woman, chastity is a woman SiSS 1S t a W °i nan - r Let us therefore, as dJtifui 52&h °^ OO Ur, r fa - r <& eenof the Southern Cross - cherish- and champion the honor, the innocence thP chastity, and the charity of woman. ,'-- . * THOMAS J. CARR, Archbishop of Melbourne.