The MSM and the Military Vocation

As one of our aims is the establishment of international peace, including through the fight against terrorism and against ethnic warfare, it stands to reason that the Order has attracted many military men.

Many members of the Order serve or have served. For example, the current Master, Jacques Pellabeuf, is a retired French Army Colonel, as was the first Master, Jehan de Penfentenyo de Kervereguin. The Master’s father, a one-time Prior of France, was as well. At least two of the Master’s sons are in the military; Arnaud has served in Afghanistan, Rémi is a graduate of l'Ecole Militaire de St-Cyr and of the British Staff College. The Order’s principal chaplain in France is a former Army Almoner. The Order’s Hospitaller is a retired French Admiral. Others are from military families, are former reservists and cadets, or have had a strong attachment to other institutions with military traditions, such as the Scouting Movement.
Our Founder stated that: “No knight can turn his back on this ultimate requirement of his dubbing” and acknowledgement of the occasional necessity of the use of ‘knightly force’” (Dom Lafond, Principles for a Charter of Chivalry, Art. 7c). Indeed, the Rule states: “The knight is both meek and violent” (Rule, Prologue, § 3 al. 2; Chap. III § 10) and “All combat is marked by the firm resolution of fighting to the death” (Rule, Chap. I § 6). The Superiors of the Order have similarly quoted the following statement of Pope John-Paul II: “Fidelity to the Moral Order can require of the Christian a heroic engagement –even up to martyrdom- buttressed by the virtue of courage.”

Our founder also wrote: “Being as it is at the service of Christendom, chivalry no less promotes the duty of patriotism. More than any other citizen, the knight should love and serve his country, to the point of spilling his blood in its defence, if need be… All true knighthood includes a militant aspect which is clearly visible in the sign of dubbing, and wages a fight against those opposed to the natural and Christian Order, which, although primarily spiritual, is far from purely symbolic… A current analysis of ‘revolutionary war’ waged against Christianity by subversive forces since early in this second half of the XX^th century clearly shows that this spiritual and ideological struggle belongs from now on to warfare as such; professional armies are no longer alone facing each other on the battlefield; whole populations are involved, and as a result they must be led and protected by an elite whose spiritual, moral, intellectual and human values are manifest. To the extent that it is able, the Order contributes to the formation of this elite… Dubbing involves specific duties for the defence of Christianity and can only licitly be conferred on those suitable and fulfilling all the correct conditions. Knighthood can only be conferred upon those who are sincere believers… healthy in mind and body… loyal-hearted, physically and morally courageous, having given proof of their quality in the service of Christendom, their country or their neighbor.” (Dom Lafond, Principles for a Charter of Chivalry, Arts. 6, 7(a) and (b), and 13(b)).

The current Master has similarly noted that “members are expected to be ready to defend their country in the event of war or need.” He has further noted: “A knight understands the role of the armed forces and it is easier to understand all aspects of our chivalric vocation if one has been in the military. So what does the military vocation mean for a Knight of Our Lady? That we are prepared to fight by every means, first against the evil in ourselves, then in the world in concentric circles (family, loved ones, city, region, nation, etc.). Concretely, we must maintain ourselves in good physical condition… we act in every aspect of modern life, wherever we sense the need, in accordance with our competencies and the directives of our superiors.”