scroll
OMNE DATUM OPTIMUM redditur ad MILITES TEMPLI et MILITIA DEI
In nomine Patris, et Filii, ✠ et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, ✠ and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Sancta Maria, Domina Angelorum, ora pro nobis. Holy Mary, Queen of the Angels, pray for us. Sancte Micha-el Archangele, generalis militiae caelestis, ora pro nobis. Saint Michael the Archangel, general of the heavenly host, pray for us. Sancte Ioannes Baptista, vox clamantis in deserto, ora pro nobis. Saint John the Baptist, a voice crying in the wilderness, pray for us. Sancta Maria Magdalena, apostola apostolorum et testis resurrectionis, ora pro nobis. Saint Mary Magdalene, apostle to the apostles and witness of the resurrection, pray for us. Sancte Petre, petra Ecclesiae et servus servorum Dei, ora pro nobis. Saint Peter, rock of the Church and servant of the servants of God, pray for us. Sancte Georgi, miles invicte et percussor draconis antiqui, ora pro nobis. Saint George, unconquered knight and smiter of the ancient dragon, pray for us. Sancte Bernarde Claraevallensis, ora pro nobis. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, architect of the Order, pray for us. Sancte Francisce Assisiensis, cum signo Crucis, sigillator electorum, frater pauperum et miles Christi, ora pro nobis. Saint Francis of Assisi, with the mark of the Cross, sealer of the elect, brother of the Poor and soldier of Christ, pray for us. Sancte Antoni de Padua, gratia Dei Patrone rerum amissarum, in hac tua festivitate, ora pro nobis, ut hoc charisma, olim amissum, nunc restituatur. Saint Anthony of Padua, by God’s grace Patron of lost things, on this your feast, pray for us, that this charism, once lost, may now be restored. Omnes sancti et sanctae Dei, intercedite pro nobis. All you holy men and women of God, intercede for us. Ego, Ioannes Cucus Tertius, profiteor coram Deo hoc votum perpetuum, iuxta statum vitae meae, nisi ex gravi causa, in conscientia coram Deo solvatur. I, profess before God this perpetual vow, according to the state of my life, unless, for grave cause, it is released in conscience before God. Domine, voluntatem propriam abnego Et corde puro desidero militare Regi summo. Et cum studio armaturam obedientiae deferre cupio, et portare firmiter. Lord, I renounce my own will. And with a pure heart, I desire to serve the Sovereign King. And with zeal I desire to bear the armor of obedience, and to carry it steadfastly. Hucusque in militia saeculari vixi, in qua Iesus Christus non erat causa, sed pro humanis favoribus tantum suscepi. Until now I have lived in secular warfare, in which Jesus Christ was not the cause, but which I undertook for human favor alone. Nunc autem sequor eos quos Deus de massa perditionis elegit, et per gratiam suam sanctam ad defensionem sanctae Ecclesiae ordinavit. Et festino illis iungi in aeternum. But now I follow those whom God has chosen from the mass of perdition, and by His holy grace He has appointed to the defense of the Holy Church. And I hasten to be joined to them forever. Super omnia, ideo voveo et promitto, per gratiam Sancti Spiritus, volo esse miles Christi, in paupertate, castitate, et obedientia, iuxta statum vitae meae, et talem sanctam religionem eligere; in professione fidei puram diligentiam et firmam perseverantiam habeo. Above all, therefore I vow and promise, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, I will to be a soldier of Christ, in poverty, chastity, and obedience, according to the state of my life, and to choose such a holy form of religious life; in the profession of faith, I possess pure diligence and steadfast perseverance. Haec professio tam digna est, et tam sancta est, et tam nobilis esse dignoscitur, ut, si inviolata conservetur in aeternum, cum martyribus, qui pro Iesu Christo animas suas dederunt, consortium merito merear. This profession is of such worth, and of such sanctity, and is discerned to be so noble, that, if it be preserved inviolate unto eternity, I may, with the martyrs—those who gave their souls for Jesus Christ—rightly merit their fellowship. Sed bene operatur Deus, et Salvator noster Iesus Christus: misit enim amicos suos, quorum vestigiis nunc insisto, qui pro salute nostra et propagatione verae fidei animas nostras Deo non cessant offerre in sacrificium acceptum. Amen. But God works well, and our Savior Jesus Christ: for He has sent His friends, in whose footsteps I now walk, who for our salvation and for the spread of the true faith have offered our souls to God and cease not to offer them as a welcome sacrifice. Amen. Domine, facto voto, solus sum in professione mea. Nullo fratre mihi occurrente, nullo Magistro me suscipiente, sedem Hugonis video, et ordinem derelictum. Lord, having made this vow, I find myself alone in my profession. Meeting no brother to greet me, and no Master to receive me, I see the seat of Hugues vacant, and order abandoned. ✠ Deus vult ✠ God wills it. Sicut Clemens Quintus, Sanctus Pater noster, vos cognovit—ita nunc ego vos nomino. As Pope Clement the Fifth, our Holy Father, knew you—so now I name you. Tu es Mammon — deus avaritiae, proditor Christi pro auro. Tu es Belial — spiritus dominationis sine iustitia, corruptor iustitiae et sacerdotii. You are Mammon—god of avarice, betrayer of Christ for gold. You are Belial—spirit of dominion without righteousness, corrupter of justice and priesthood. Tempus vestrae potestatis nunc completum est. Finis regni vestri est. ✠ Signum Crucis The time of your dominion is now fulfilled. Your reign is ended. Signo Crucis, frangimus tenacem draconis super hunc Ordinem. By the sign of the Cross, we break the dragon’s grip upon this Order. Sanguine Agni, charisma eius in lumine Civitatis Sanctae dimittimus. By the blood of the Lamb, we release its charism into the light of the Holy City. Exorcizo vos. I cast you out. Hic locus Christo solo obsignetur. Let this Seat be sealed in the name of Christ alone. Igitur, cum humilitate et ex necessitate, per votum quod feci, sicut ille quondam fecit, et per gratiam tuam, assumo sedem illam vacuam Magistri Ordinis cui nomen est: Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici Therefore, with humility and out of necessity, through the vow I have made, as he once did of old, and by Thy grace, I take up that vacant seat of the Master of the Order named: Poor Commilitants of Christ and the Temple of Solomon ut, Tibi volente, restituatur quod olim fuit, et iterum vivat ista professio coram Te, in veritate, in caritate, et in servitio Tuo. Amen. that, by Thy will, what once was may be restored, and that this profession may live again before Thee, in truth, in charity, and in Thy service. Amen. Die Veneris, tertio decimo Iunii, anno Domini bis millesimo vicesimo quinto — qui est solus dies Veneris tertii decimi huius anni iubilaei — post annos septingentos decem et septem, et menses octo, ad hunc diem. On Friday, the thirteenth day of June, in the year of Our Lord two thousand twenty-five — which is the only Friday the thirteenth of this jubilee year — after seven hundred and seventeen years and eight months to this very day. Vi consuetudinis immemorabilis, sub gravi necessitate, et in absentia auctoritatis competentis, By force of immemorial custom, under grave necessity, and in the absence of competent authority, Ego, Magister Pauperum Commilitonum Christi Templique Salomonici, fide et obedientia professus, sollemniter declaro et definio hunc ritum legitime et rite esse peractum: per votum perpetuum, antiqua professio perficitur, Ordo instauratur, et sacrum charisma renovatur. I, Master of the Poor Commilitants of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, professed in faith and obedience, solemnly declare and define this rite to have been lawfully and duly performed: by perpetual vow the ancient profession is fulfilled, the Order is restored, and the sacred charism renewed. Hinc proclamo Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici rite esse restitutos, et missionem spiritualem confirmatam ac resumptam, ad gloriam Dei, defensionem fidei, et custodiam pauperis Ecclesiae Militantis. Hence I proclaim the Poor Commilitants of Christ and the Temple of Solomon to be duly restored, and the spiritual mission confirmed and resumed, to the glory of God, the defense of the faith, and the guardianship of the poor Church Militant. Hic Ordo, numquam legitime suppressus nec canonice abrogatus, sub eodem nomine agnoscitur et perseverat. This Order, never lawfully suppressed nor canonically abrogated, is acknowledged under the same name and endures. Hoc actum, donum Spiritus Sancti, per intercessionem Sancti Antonii Patavini. Oblata, sine ira aut maerore, sed in spiritu pacis. This act, a gift of the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of Saint Anthony of Padua. Offered without anger or sorrow, but in the spirit of peace. Chinon Parchmentum, iussu Papae Clementis Quinti, anno Domini trecentesimo octavo, post inquisitionem et confessionem emissum, absolutionem Ordinis eiusque reconciliationem cum Ecclesia confirmavit. The Chinon Parchment, by command of Pope Clement V, in the year of Our Lord 1308, issued after inquest and confession, confirmed the absolution of the Order and its The Chinon Parchment, by command of Pope Clement V, in the year of Our Lord 1308, issued after inquest and confession, confirmed the absolution of the Order and its reconciliation with the Church. Iura perpetuo concessa Pauperibus Commilitonibus Christi Templique Salomonici a Romano Episcopo, per bullas Omne Datum Optimum, Milites Templi, et Militia Dei, non in possessionem data sunt, sed tamquam sacrum depositum commendata. Nunc affirmamus, in pace et fidelitate, haec iura restitui, ac proclamamus: OMNE DATUM OPTIMUM redditur ad MILITES TEMPLI et MILITIA DEI The rights perpetually granted to the Poor Commilitants of Christ and the Temple of Solomon by the Roman Pontiffs, through the bulls Omne Datum Optimum, Milites Templi, and Militia Dei, were not given into possession, but entrusted as a sacred deposit. Now we affirm, in peace and fidelity, that these rights are restored, and we proclaim: ALL PERFECT GIFTS are restored to the KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLE and the MILITIA OF GOD. Itaque ritus professionis concluditur, sub signo Crucis. Fiat voluntas Dei. Fiat, fiat. Amen. Thus the rite of profession is concluded, under the sign of the Cross. Let the will of God be done. Let it be done, let it be done. Amen.
CANONICAL AND JURIDICAL STATUS

The restored Ordo Pauperum Commilitonum Christi Templique Salomonici (Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon) stands as a lawful continuation of the ancient Order according to the norms of ancient canon law. On Friday, the 13th of June, A.D. 2025—the only Friday the Thirteenth of the Jubilee Year—the Order was resumed vi consuetudinis immemorabilis (by force of immemorial custom), through a solemn profession of perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, invoking the privileges of Omne Datum Optimum (1139), Milites Templi (1144), and Militia Dei (1145).

By this act, performed sub gravi necessitate (under grave necessity) and in absentia auctoritatis competentis (in the absence of competent authority), the Order’s potestas propria (inherent authority) was canonically re-activated. It thereby stands juridically complete within its original canonical epoch, though presently uncategorized within the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which possesses no rubric for pre-codified apostolic institutions. The Order exists praeter legem sed non contra legem (beyond the scope of the current Code, yet never in opposition to it) and continues ad gloriam Dei, defensionem fidei et custodiam pauperis Ecclesiae Militantis (to the glory of God, the defense of the faith, and the guardianship of the poor Church Militant).

Juridical Completion under Ancient Canon Law

The Order has fulfilled all conditions required for lawful restoration under the medieval canons, invoking immemorial rights granted by the Apostolic See. According to Gratian’s Decretum (D. 93 c. 24 Nullus sacerdos) and the Decretals of Gregory IX (I.2–3 De officio et potestate Papae), a religious institute once erected by papal privilege endures in law until expressly revoked. As no revocation was ever issued, the Order’s juridical personality persisted in statu suspenso (in a dormant state) until 2025.

Canonical Standing under the 1983 Code

Because the completed juridical restoration does not correspond to any category within the modern Code, the Order is presently understood under CIC 1983 cc. 215, 298–299 §§1–2 as a private association of the faithful. It is therefore legitimate and in ecclesial communion, bound by private vows and dedicated to the works of faith and charity. Its status is uncategorized but not illicit—fully consonant with the Church’s universal law and obedience to the Roman Pontiff.

Continuing Jurisdiction and Ecclesial Character

Founded upon apostolic privilege and immemorial law, the Order stands juridically complete within its own canonical epoch. Its legitimacy persists independently of later codifications, acting in bono Ecclesiae (for the good of the universal Church) while not confined to any single rite or jurisdiction. By this continuity the Milites Templi serves as a catholic instrument in the original sense—ordered toward unity in faith and charity—welcoming collaboration with all who confess Christ while preserving its Latin and sacramental patrimony.

Historically: Lawfully reactivated continuation of the medieval Order.
Canonically: Complete under ancient law, legitimate under the current Code.
Ecclesially: praeter legem sed non contra legem (beyond the law but not against it).

CANONICAL SUPPORT

Papal Bulls of Perpetual Privilege

  • Omne Datum Optimum (Innocent II, 1139) — papal protection, exemption from episcopal authority, election of the Master.
  • Milites Templi (Eugenius III, 1144) and Militia Dei (1145) — confirm and expand perpetual privileges.

These charters, issued in perpetuum (in perpetuity), remain binding until formally revoked (Decretales I.3 De privilegiis); no revocation was ever made.

Nullity of the 1312 Suppression

  1. Defect of Name (Defectus Nominis) — Error in persona iuridica. The suppression acts of 1312—Vox in Excelso, Ad Providam, and Considerantes Dudum—do not employ the juridical name by which the Order was canonically erected and perpetually privileged, Ordo Pauperum Commilitonum Christi Templique Salomonici. The foundation and confirmation bulls (1139–1145) use this precise nomen, which constitutes the juridical persona moralis (moral/juridic person) in canon law. The later bulls instead reference a generic “Order of the Temple,” designations insufficient in law to identify the same juridical subject. Under Gratian (C.11 q.3 c.66 Si quis clericus) and the Decretals of Gregory IX (I.3 De sententia et re iudicata), a juridical act issued without naming the correct persona iuridica is null ipso iure (by the law itself).
  2. Defect of Cause (Defectus Causae). The Chinon Parchment (1308) absolved the Order; a later suppression violated non bis in idem (no double punishment for the same cause; Gratian C.11 q.3 c.66).
  3. Defect of Form (Defectus Formae). The suppression was administrative, not judicial, lacking due canonical process (Decretales I.3 c. Praeterea).
  4. Defect of Liberty (Defectus Libertatis). Pope Clement V acted under coercion by Philip IV (Gratian C.15 q.6 c.1 Si Papa coactus).

Lawful Resumption under Ancient Canon Law

Where an order has never been canonically extinguished and no competent superior survives, its restoration may lawfully occur vi consuetudinis immemorabilis (by force of immemorial custom) through solemn profession (Gratian D. 93 c. 24). The 2025 act therefore constitutes a restitutio iuridica et spiritualis (juridical and spiritual restoration) under the same name, rule, and charism.

RESPONSIONES AD OBJECTIONES

Can a religious order be restored without a papal decree?

Yes. When a suppression is invalid, papal re-erection is unnecessary. Gratian (D. 93 c. 24) and the Decretales (I.3 De privilegiis) affirm that institutes founded ex privilegio apostolico (by apostolic privilege) endure until expressly abrogated.

Does this constitute disobedience to the Pope?

No. The profession was made sub obedientia Romani Pontificis (under obedience to the Roman Pontiff) and in fidelity to the Catholic faith. The Order claims no authority against the Holy See; it simply exercises rights still valid under canon 4 of the 1983 Code.

Why is the 1983 Code insufficient to define the Order?

Because the Code assumes institutes created within its typology. The Milites Templi belongs to the pre-codified order and therefore subsists praeter legem sed non contra legem (beyond the Code but not against it).

What canonical precedent exists?

Monastic revivals after suppression—such as Cistercian and Benedictine restorations after the Dissolution—relied on the same doctrine: lawful resumption ex necessitate (from necessity) and vi consuetudinis immemorabilis (by immemorial custom).

Is the act symbolic or juridical?

Juridical: executed by public vow, invocation of papal privilege, and formal declaration with date and seal—fulfilling the requirements of the Decretum and Decretales.

May the Order collaborate with other Christian communions?

Yes. Acting in bonum Ecclesiae universalis (for the good of the universal Church), the Order may cooperate in works of charity and defense of the faith with all who confess Christ, while preserving its Latin and sacramental heritage.

Summary: Historically—valid continuation. Canonically—complete under ancient law. Ecclesially—praeter legem sed non contra legem. Spiritually—renewal ad gloriam Dei et defensionem fidei (to the glory of God and the defense of the faith).