It may be nearly invisible to we as modern Templars, but we do many things in our Order that emulate what our forefathers did over nine centuries ago. Their Convents were critical for maintaining the Templar’s cohesion, discipline, and effectiveness as a religious and military institution from their founding in 1119 until their dissolution in 1312. Frequency and location varied, but major Convents were typically held at least annually.
Just like the Templars of antiquity, in the state of Florida, we have many members scattered all over the state. Our territory is so large that it requires 10-12 hours to drive from our northernmost point to the southernmost. The idea that we can “all just get together and meet whenever we want” is, quite obviously, just not possible. That is one of the reasons that we have “preceptories” (just as our early brothers did) to organize in smaller local groups. But it became evident to them, just as it is to us today, that in order to build and maintain our cohesion, discipline, and effectiveness as an assembled group – there was and still is a real need for everyone to assemble together formally face to face on a regular basis.
Prior of the Holy Trinity, brother Chev. Howard Giraldo has called our incredible Florida fellowship of Priories in the Sunshine State – The Temple Church and The Holy Trinity – “Team Florida”! And so we truly are!
Here are just a few of the powerful reasons why Team Florida, like our forefathers, still rigorously hold to our, periodic Convent schedules: Governance and administration, strategic planning, periodic changes of leadership and, most important for all of us then and now – the maintenance of our primary reason for existence – our spiritual health and ecumenical affirmations. As a Christ centered military order, we as Templars continue to emphasize real spiritual discipline. Convents included religious ceremonies, times for private confessions, and reaffirmations of our vows, reinforcing our commitment to the 900 year faith and mission – to which to the Templars of then and of today remains virtually unchanged. This blending of faith and mission is the reason we exist today and why we continue to meet together in the 21st century.
Are you considering attending? Remember the reason we meet: cohesion, discipline, and effectiveness. The use of the term discipline here is important. It is not at all used in the pejorative sense, but in the most positive way – the use of discipline as a spiritual tool to become a cohesive, effective and powerful force for advancing the Kingdom of God on this Earth. Ours is a planet that so desperately needs what we have to freely give: a large measure of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against which there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Indeed, in the Apostle Paul’s final written words, he said, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Claudia and I are sincerely praying that we all use this opportunity to come together this October. It is what we as Templars have been doing for the past nine centuries. We gather as one body to repeat together as a unified body our sacred Oath. And in so doing, we thereby reinforce our Order’s disciplined approach to living Christ inspired lives of duty and service to our fellow Christians at risk in the Holy land an everywhere else. And in so doing, we expand. As our Grand Prior, COL Chev Fred Kienle, has said – our focus today is: “Growth and the Oath”.
Chancellor Tom Beaton is preparing an email notice with an easy to follow link for you in the next few days that will allow you to register and will reveal the venue. It will be either Orlando or Cape Canaveral based on which contract is most beneficial to all of you – a decision to be made by the EXCOM in the next day or so.
Please register early to encourage one another and to create one of the most memorable C&I’s in memory. And, oh by the way, we have a group of new postulants ready to join us in October! Be there to meet each of them, and to celebrate with them the beginning of their new lives as Knights and Dames of SMOTJ’s incredible and quite amazing Team Florida!