CHAPTER XVIII - THE KNIGHT’S DUTIES TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBOUR
1. In his dealings with his neighbour and with society in general, the knight undertakes to cause justice to reign; this is his particular duty.
(a) In all circumstances and at all times he should intervene, with all prudence, when it is a question of defending truth in general and the Faith in particular, following the precept of the Apostle who recommends us to proclaim the message in season and out of season, welcome or unwelcome[8] (158), which is the motto of the Order. And he must obey that other admonition of Holy Scripture: Fight for truth to the death, and the Lord will fight for you.[9] (159)
(b) He allows no one to be oppressed, but at all times and in all places to the best of his ability he defends the weak, the widow and the orphan against oppressors, however powerful they may be.(c) He lets no man be slandered.
(d) He allows no man to blaspheme.
(e) He tries to teach the world, chiefly by the example of a life sans peur et sans reproche[10] (160) the true nature of honour which is the practice of fidelity in humility.
(f) He keeps his word, freely given.
(g) He behaves in such a way that in all things God may be glorified[11] (161).
2. Regarding their professional obligations, the knights must know precisely the extent of the demands made by their vocation.
(a) Let them always show themselves to be sincere Christians, by imitating Christ in his working life at Nazareth, in order to offer their work and that of others to God as a sacrifice of praise.
(b) Like Christ, they will love work well done, which proceeds from love.(c) Those who are charged with duties of leadership will be men of honesty and integrity, for a false balance is abhorrent to the Lord, a just weight is pleasing to him.[12] (162)
(d) They will always be just and equitable, giving to each according to his needs.[13](163)
(e) Above all, they will love truth; no flattery in their words nor deceit in their behaviour, for the Apostle says: If I sought to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ. [14](164)
(f) That is why they will really love their companions at work, seeking sincerely the common good and always remembering St. Paul’s words: Let your love be genuine.[15] (165)
(g) Finally, they will resolve to encourage and apply the social doctrine of the Church as found in the encyclicals of the Sovereign Pontiffs.
3. While fighting to defend the Faith, whether by speech or writing, or any other means, the knights of Our Lady will recall that the most sacred of causes should not be profaned by means which are unworthy of a soldier of Christ who has received from his Lord the order to love his enemies[16]. (166)
(a) Beyond the visible adversary, it is the invisible enemy who has to be pursued, and the latter can only be brought down by Truth, Justice and Love. The knightly combat completely excludes hatred, however legitimate it may appear, for it proceeds from Love properly understood, and takes its example from our Lord driving the money changers and salesmen from the Temple[17](167) with the gentleness of the lamb in his heart, and the lion’s strength in his arm.
(b) The knights must prepare for God’s battles by prayer and penance, love and humility, constantly imploring the protection of their Lady, terrible as an army set in array[18] (168). Above all they must be humble, considering how unworthy they are to fight for God’s Kingdom, they who themselves have not yet succeeded in submitting completely to it. Let them not trust in their own strength, but let them hope in the Lord of hosts who alone gives the victory.
But in this fight they should neglect nothing which is humanly necessary for overcoming their adversaries. They should also allow themselves a holy indignation in regard to diabolical attacks on the Church, a salutary horror of the powers of darkness in this world, and an invincible hatred of lies and falsehood.
And when the moment of battle comes, let them imitate the Templars praised by St. Bernard :Forgetful of their natural gentleness, they seem to cry with the psalmist: do I not hate, Lord, those who hate you, and loathe those who defy you?[19] (169)
(c) They must, however, always remain masters of themselves, and even if their adversary uses dishonourable means, they must be careful not to imitate him, for lies, trickery and hypocrisy are always excluded from knightly behaviour. But the conduct of the knights should lead their adversaries to admire them for their disinterestedness, loyalty, patience and courage. Then will they truly bear the resemblance of Christ the King and his angels.
Finally they will reach the perfection of the spirit of chivalry if they can avoid defending themselves against attacks directed at themselves personally, and if they are always and everywhere inspired by a great love of peace, after the example of St. Joan. of Arc, a model for knights.
(d) These rules are valid not only for the defence of the Faith and Christian civilisation, but also in any just war.
CHAPTER XIX - THE DUTY OF MUTUAL AID AND HOSPITALITY
2. Following the traditions of chivalry, the Order will organise and support one or more works of hospitality, particularly in regard to prisoners or others who suffer as a result of the evils of a sinful society separated from God.
3. This fraternal charity will be extended to all mankind, according to the venerable tradition in use in the age of faith, so that it may be said at the day of judgement: Come you whom my Father has blessed . . . for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made, me welcome; naked and you clothed me; sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to see me.[20] (170).
CHAPTER XX - THE SERVICE OF THE PARISH
Each brother should join in the development of his parish with great generosity, participating in all its activities, liturgical, apostolic, or charitable.[21](171)
He will see the Church itself in his parish, and by his own service will, make a practical realisation of the first object of the Order TO SERVE THE FAITH.
2. The brothers will therefore offer their services to their parish priest and may belong to any parochial association which may seem good to them.
3. They will do what they can to inspire in their fellow Christians a deep love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They will also try to encourage among them the sense of the sacred and the sense of hierarchy, a loving and unfailing fidelity to Holy Church, the Sovereign Pontiff and the Bishops, and a taste for Holy Scripture and an authentic living liturgy, without despising private devotions approved by ecclesiastical authority, such as the veneration of statues, the blessing of objects, and the lighting of candles. They will always show the spirit of brotherly love by which the true disciples of Christ are recognised[22](172).
Their apostolate will tend to lead their brethren towards the traditional sources of the spiritual life, which have formed, from the time of the ages of faith, the whole civilisation which the knights must defend and promote.
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[10] 160. Motto of Chevalier Bayard
[11] 161. Rule of St. Benedict ch. 37
[12] 162. Proy. 11, 1
[13] 163. Acts 4, 35
[14] 164. Gal. 1, 10
[15] 165. Rom.
[16] 166. Mt. 5, 44
[17] 167. John 2, 14-16
[18] 168. Cant. 6, 10
[19] 169. De laude novae militiae, IV, and Ps 139, 21
[20] 170. Mt. 25, 34-36
[21] 171. Vat. II, Apostolate of the Laity, no. 10
[22] 172. John 13, 35
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