The Benedictio Novi Militis and the MSM

As the continued permission to use the rites of the old liturgy (outside of the mass, which was subject to stricter rules) by John XXIII was often poorly understood in the late ‘60s, the Order (which had been using the Benedictio since 1945, first under the old Pontificale Romanum, and then under the canonically approved MSM Ceremonial, and never stopped doing so) may be the only institution still properly using the ancient formula today.

The Benedictio Novi Militis was recognized as part of our special liturgy by our Ordinary Mgr. Michon in our Ceremonial, never called into question by the Ordinary of Chartres after the Council, and has continued to be applied at our dubbing ceremonies all these years. The Order has neither “reintroduced” it, nor in any way modified or updated it. We also continue to respect ancient traditions associated with knighting not found in the Benedictio, including in particular a full solitary night of prayer vigil in Church prior to each knighting by the candidate, generally in the Carolingian Chapel of Notre-Dame-Sous-Terre at the Cathedral of Chartres, and the taking of solemn canonical vows.


According to the traditions of chivalry, a man alone can be dubbed, yet the graces of this sacramental flow from it throughout the family. Dubbing may only be validly conferred by a bishop, by an abbot, or by the Master of the Order. By this rite, the knight officially receives the mission to combat the enemies of God and man, and ‘to enlarge on earth the frontiers of God’s Kingdom,’ with the graces required to accomplish it.