The 900th Anniversary Templar Meditations, an Introduction:
As we move more deeply into the year leading up to the grand celebration of the 900th anniversary of the organization and founding of the Knights Templar, members of the GPUSA Chaplains Corps, and other clergy of the Order, will be sharing meditations inspired by the nine Templar virtues. This effort is rooted in the historic reality that knights of the time, and in particular the founding knights of the Order, sought to integrate a chivalric life that reflected the highest of Christian virtues with the clashing need to protect nationalist interests. As Templar history is told, the warring side of a knightâs life has overshadowed the spiritual grounding of his life as monk, relegating the virtues he sought to uphold through his vows to the Order to a footnote. Through these meditations we aspire to breathe new life into the significance of these virtues: chivalry, courage, charity, justice, honor, fidelity, faith, sacrifice, and discipline. It is our hope that as they inspired the forbearers of our Order, we may find guidance from them today. What a great opportunity to work together for our children, increasing the Jerusalem Mite funding, specifically to honor 900 years of OSMTH service, benefitting humankind!