51st Grand Master

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Portrait of the 51st Grand Master of OSMTH - His Highness Don Fernando Campello Pinto Pereira de Sousa Fontes

Coat of arms of the 51st Grand Master and Prince Regent of OSMTH - Don Fernando de Souza Fontes

His Highness Don Fernando Campello Pinto Pereira de Souza Fontes

Dom Fernando Campello Pinto Pereira de Sousa Fontes

51st Grand Master and Prince Regent of the Order

Reign: February 15, 1960 - May 18, 2018

Don Fernando de Souza Fontes is a monumental figure in the modern history of chivalry. His almost 60-year service at the head of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem became an entire era, which historians call a period of great international expansion, stability and uncompromising preservation of the sacred spiritual Tradition. 51st World Grand Master and Prince Regent of OSMTH - Magnum Magisterium.

Historical photo: 50th Grand Master Antonio de Souza Fontes with his son Fernando, 51st Grand Master of OSMTH — Left: 50th Grand Master Antonio de Souza Fontes with his son Fernando (51st Grand Master of OSMTH). Right: Newspaper publication about the de Sousa Fontes dynasty.

Newspaper publication about the de Sousa Fontes dynasty - Grand Masters of the OSMTH Magnum Magisterium — Left: 50th Grand Master Antonio de Souza Fontes with his son Fernando (51st Grand Master of OSMTH). Right: Newspaper publication about the de Sousa Fontes dynasty.

Origin and continuity of the Fontes Dynasty

Don Fernando was born in Portugal and belonged to an old noble aristocratic family. His father, Count Antonio Campello Pinto Pereira de Sousa Fontes, assumed the burden of leading the Order during the most difficult period of World War II (December 1942), when Nazi Germany occupied Belgium and France. The Fontes family saved the Order's central archives and the Larmenius Charter from destruction by the Nazis by moving the international headquarters (Magnum Magisterium) to the Portuguese city of Porto.

After the death of his father, in accordance with his direct will and the unanimous decision of the Chapter, on February 15, 1960, Don Fernando de Souza Fontes officially accepted the Master's Rod, becoming the 51st Grand Master.

Worldwide expansion and protection of Tradition

Under the leadership of Don Fernando, the Order of the Temple experienced unprecedented prosperity and went far beyond the borders of Europe. Possessing unquestioned authority, the Grand Master personally coordinated the creation and development of national Grand Priories in the USA, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Latin American countries.

Don Fernando's principled position has always been the priority of spiritual service over secular administration. When in 1995, due to the rapid growth of the Order, internal administrative disagreements arose (the Atlantic and Scandinavian Priories demanded a transition to an elective system of government and commercial lines), Don Fernando showed the firmness of a warrior of Christ. He refused to turn the ancient Order into an elected political society.

The historical core of the Order, remaining faithful to the oath and sovereign line of succession from Jacques de Molay, rallied around Don Fernando de Sousa Fontes in Porto, securing the status of OSMTH - Magnum Magisterium. While the breakaway structures (which went to the Swiss branch) took up secular diplomacy at the UN, Don Fernando focused the efforts of the brothers on quiet, sincere Christian service and the protection of shrines.

Connection with Russia

For our jurisdiction, the figure of Don Fernando has sacred significance. It was His Highness who, at the very beginning of the revival of spiritual life in Russia, turned his gaze to the East. On August 20, 1993, by his Highest Edict, he officially founded the Grand Priory of Russia “of the Most Holy Theotokos Virgin Mary of Jerusalem, Queen of Heaven.”

Don Fernando passionately loved Russia and deeply respected the Orthodox traditions of the Russian army and monasticism. Until the end of his days, he personally monitored the development of our Priory. On May 31, 2016, with his Master's Patent, he endowed the leadership of our jurisdiction (in the person of Master Templar Alexey Andreev) with the sovereign right and autonomy to conduct the sacraments of the Investiture and independently open new divisions.

Completion of the earthly journey

Don Fernando Campello Pinto Pereira de Souza Fontes completed his earthly journey on May 18, 2018, at the age of 89. Until his last breath, he remained clear-minded and strong in memory. Anticipating his imminent departure to the Heavenly Host, he officially, legally and spiritually transferred the mandate of succession, the regalia of the order and the leadership of the Magnum Magisterium to his rightful and trusted successor, Master of Brazil Don Albino Neves.

For brothers and ladies all over the world, Don Fernando remained an example of true chivalric nobility, wisdom, humility and unwavering loyalty to the cross of the Temple, which he carried with honor through all the storms of the 20th and 21st centuries.