On “Fidelity to the Order”

On a temporary basis upon becoming a Squire in the Order, and later again on a permanent basis upon being knighted, members of the MSM must make a solemn canonical vow of Fidelity to the Order.

Our Founder wisely foresaw that there would be a risk of members drifting away from the Order due to a lack of commitment. If a significant risk of this can be ascertained in advance, we can avoid spending precious energies on such men. But, apart from these things, there is a risk that members may be unable to do what is asked of them by the leaders of the Order, which at times must act as an integrated and disciplined organizational unit. I, for instance, was asked by the Master to focus on expanding the Order in America... I have been given a task which forces me to confront the temptation to keep my faith a private matter. We must also confront the reality that we cannot control all the variables, we cannot guarantee our success, and we may fail and disappoint in our appointed tasks. In short, we must confront our frailty. In doing these things, in being loyal and faithful to what is asked of us, we subject ourselves to “a discipline” and perform an act of obedience but, like children, we are also pushed, developed and made to grow into a more adult faith. Not unlike the disciplines required of the Religious, these are the disciplines and vows required of the members of the Order of Chivalry.