Requirements for candidates

Minimum conditions for consideration of a petition for admission to the Order:

• Spiritual foundation: The candidate must sincerely profess the Christian Faith, belong to a Christian Church, possess the virtues of a true Christian, and have a firm wish to work constructively for the good of neighbours and society. Active participation in the Order’s charitable, humanitarian and social missions, with personal initiative, is required.
• Reputation and character: The candidate must enjoy an unblemished good name, a worthy standing in society and a non-conflictual character. The Order unites established, financially independent people able consciously to bear the statutory obligations of the Order.
• Lawfulness: The candidate guarantees that he or she has never been convicted of intentional crimes and that no criminal proceedings are pending. Disturbers of the peace, instigators of scandals and opponents of lawful order are not admitted.
• Family consent: The candidate must confirm that close relatives and family are aware of the intention to join the chivalric association and fully agree with that decision.
• Age: The minimum age for admission at the initial stage (probation as Candidate) is 18. Canonical investiture into the knightly degrees (Knight of the Temple / Dame of the Temple) is possible no earlier than the age of 25, after completing all preparatory ranks (Sergeant, Squire).

Decision procedure and Order obligations

Satisfaction of the initial written petition does not mean automatic enrolment. The final decision is taken by the Chapter only after a personal interview with an authorised Officer of the Order.

As the Regional Magistracy is entirely self-financed and does not accept financial assistance from foreign structures or states, the inner life of the Order is sustained by its members. Applicants and members therefore bear the following financial obligations:

• One-time investiture fee: Before official investiture into the corresponding rank a single payment is due. This fixed fee covers entry in the international Order register and the cost of individual knightly habit (cassock, mantle) and breast insignia.
• Annual membership dues: A regular compulsory payment for the statutory work of the jurisdiction. Under the Statutes, dues are paid in a single instalment for one full year in advance. For Sergeants and Squires the amount is 50% of the dues set for Knights and Dames of the Order.