Membership in the Order

Knights and Dames receive three different insignia bearing the Jerusalem Cross. No two insignia are worn together. In other words, Knights and Dames of any rank should not wear the neck insignia with the miniature insignia or the lapel pin.

First rank: Knight or Dame
Second rank: Knight Commander or Dame Commander
Third rank: Knight Commander with Star (Grand Officer) or Dame Commander with Star (Grand Officer)
Fourth rank: Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross
The Fifth rank is bestowed by the Pope and rarely occurs, and that is the rank of Knight of the Collar or Dame of the Collar, (Established by Pope Pius XII in 1949).

The vesting of each new Knight and Dame with a mantle or cape, a type of choir or church robe, signifies both the robes worn by those redeemed in the Blood of the Lamb at the time of the Apocalypse, and the cloak of justice which is testimony to the union by grace of the members of the Order with Christ, the Immaculate Lamb of God. It is the visible insignia of the Order, marking it in a special, historic way. The mantle of the Order, revived by Pope Pius X, is the oldest link to the Crusaders, who originally adopted a creamy white woolen mantle marked by a large red Jerusalem cross on the left breast.

The mantle bears a prominent representation of the Jerusalem Cross, the five crosses potent, which constituted the arms of Godfrey de Bouillon and now are on the banner and emblem of the Order. Their blood-red color reminds us of the love of Christ our Redeemer, of His blood shed for us, His death, and His resurrection. The use of this insignia has continued since its adoption by Godfrey de Bouillon in 1071. However, the Jerusalem cross predates Godfrey’s adoption of it; in fact, it can be traced to Charlemagne in the year 800.

Cross (Jerusalem, Crusader’s, Fivefold) This complex form is composed of a central cross made of four tau crosses representing the Old Testament law. The four smaller Greek crosses represent the fulfillment of the law in the gospel of Christ. Others have interpreted it to represent the missionary work of the church – spreading the gospel to the four corners of the earth. Still others have acknowledged the five crosses to represent the five wounds of Christ on the cross (hands, feet and side). The cross appeared on the coat-of-arms Godfrey de  Bouillon, the first ruler of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was embodied in the heraldry of the Crusaders.

 Knights:

Mantle  — A white, woolen mantle/cape, with the red Jerusalem cross.
Beret — black velvet cap with badge applied at the band with the Scarlet Cross of Godfrey de of Bouillon on a silver shield.
Gloves – White gloves are to be worn.
Church attire under the mantle/cape: dark suit or dark sport coat and pants with white shirt and tie; white tie (tails) for Investure Mass.  

Dames:

Mantle — A black silken mantle/cape, with the red Jerusalem cross emblazoned in the same fashion as on the Knight’s mantle, was adopted for the newly accepted women with the title Dame. The black Dames’ mantle is an important link to the Order’s history. In the late 1800’s, when Pope Leo XIII invited women to join the Order, the approved attire for women attending the Papal Court at the Vatican was a black dress, black mantle and mantilla. Thus, this fashion became the standard attire for Dames of the Order.

Mantilla — Black lace in the Vatican or Spanish mode.
Gloves – Black gloves of a solid fabric (cotton, polyester, leather) are to be worn; long gloves if wearing a short-sleeved dress, short gloves if wearing a long-sleeved dress.
Church attire under the mantle/cape: Black or dark colored dress or pantsuit; formal black dress for the Investiture Mass. 

Members may not wear the uniform or even the mantle in public functions and ceremonies without prior authorization from the respective Lieutenancy or Magistral Delegation, as well as that of the Lieutenancy or Magistral Delegation where the function or ceremony takes place.

The Lapel Pin – a small lapel pin, called a rosette, is included in the Knight’s and Dame’s insignia. Its size and design indicate the Knight’s and Dame’s rank. You may wear, and are encouraged to wear, the rosette on any business suit. This is an important witness of the member’s commitment to the Order. The rosette is the only insignia of rank appropriate for business attire.

The Miniature Insignia – the Miniature insignia consists of a small star or cross of rank suspended from a narrow black silk ribbon which itself is suspended from a small gold pin enameled with strips of gold and white, the colors of the Holy See.

The Neck Insignia – The neck insignia with the Order’s cross has replaced the miniature insignia for most ceremonies. The neck insignia with the Jerusalem cross is the most appropriate decorations when formal attire is prescribed, for example, at Investitures or other ceremonies of equal solemnity.

The Lieutenancy’s Grand Prior may modify the regulations for clergy uniforms and decorations. The formal uniform of ecclesiastical members of the Order is a stole with the Jerusalem cross. When vested to celebrate Mass, ecclesiastical members, including deacons, should wear no insignia or decorations of the Order. It is appropriate to wear a stole embroidered with the Jerusalem cross.

Knights who are permanent deacons, but not vesting, should follow the regulations for wearing the Order’s insignia and decorations as set forth for lay Knight members.

Bishop members who are Knights Commander with Star should wear the star on the left side of the cassock or clerical suit.