Preceptory
Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem
Knights Hospitaller
Royal Black Knights
Introduction
The word “preceptory” is rare today. In the Middle Ages, a preceptory was a headquarters for knights in a district. The headquarter estates of the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem in both Scotland and Ireland were called preceptories. Besides these there were various preceptories in England, Ireland and Scotland of the Order.
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Some Knights of St John still call their organisational bodies or units preceptories which is usually equivalent to a commandary or an encampment. The word “preceptory” describes teaching (right) ideas. The word “precept” is used in the Bible meaning “rules of thought and behavior”.
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​Preceptory outworks as a chivalric institution engaged in the battle of ideas taking place today. It is devoted to Christian ideals and emphasises militancy, public service, patriotism, citizenship and instruction. The primary aim of Preceptory is to uphold its history and connections, drawing directly upon the pedigree and legacy of Order of St John of Jerusalem, the Loyalist family of traditions and other related influences.
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This association places importance on undertaking research, presenting historical information and developing educational materials in line with the family of distinctive identities it supports.
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The Hospitaller tradition is the mainstay of the organisation, and the Order of St John of Jerusalem has been instrumental in carrying the chivalric ideal through time and touching many people. The Order of St John heritage has a very deep history, and provides a strong sense of identity to the organisation.
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The Loyalist tradition has its origins Britain, with movements leading to the formation of the Orange Order and the Black Men’s Association, and by its ensuing Scottish and North American lineage, provides a significant religious and practical basis to the organisation. Loyalism has been a major force within the English-speaking world.
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These sources of the St John tradition are traced directly from the origins of the Order of St John, and its headquarters in Malta via various paths and links to this organisation.
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Other significant and related traditions, orders and identities with their intertwining history, common values and alignment to the promotion of Christian Chivalry provide a range of influences to and support from the organisation, including facets of militancy, patriotism and related concepts. These ideals provide an honourable foundation which are useful to great effect through connecting to developing civic virtue, better citizenship and most especially upholding the centrality of the Christian religion.
Emergence
Preceptory officially emerged on 24 June 2016 in Victoria, Australia with several former leaders, knights and members from a variety of St John organisations and has consequently strengthened itself with further persons in or connected to these groups and importantly association with several organisations which themselves carry the St John tradition.
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Besides this, the organisation has had links with a variety of persons from a variety of orders, organisations and groups. This organisation autonomously combines and perpetuates strands of the Hospitaller and Loyalist traditions with respect toward those movements without partaking of any negatives thereof. This organisation does not represent any formal involvement with the Roman Catholic hierarchy, Freemasonry or the United Nations.
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In promoting Christian chivalry, this registered association emphasises traditional values, a dutiful service lifestyle and religious-based patriotic education. Its vision is to have especially young people equipped with knowledge about chivalry, vigilance and loyalty. This not-for-profit organisation also focuses on fundraising, welfare and charitable work.
​While full membership in Preceptory Inc. is very strictly limited, voluntary association is encouraged in general. Participants are invited to commit to the ideals of Christian chivalry without seeking any reward or recognition for meritorious conduct or extraordinary service.
Explanation
Information, research and history is presented as accurately and fairly as reasonably possible. Preceptory acknowledges and builds on past organisations and particular individuals discussed on this website. It also wishes to honour the work of those certain people who have worked in similar traditions, who have done well pursuing their particular objectives.​
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​This website was launched as Pope Francis was forcing the removal of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Rome, 27/28 January 2017.
