10/05/2025
The Templar Rule, written by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century, was more than a set of regulations — it was a spiritual framework for knights who dedicated their lives to service, humility, purity, and faith.
In the original Rule, Bernard emphasized:
⚔ Poverty — knights were to renounce personal wealth, living simply.
⚔ Obedience — total submission to God’s will and the Order’s discipline.
⚔ Chastity — maintaining a life of moral and spiritual purity.
⚔ Prayer and service — balancing martial skill with constant devotion to Christ.
As Bernard wrote:
“Knights of Christ, spare neither your strength nor your life in defense of the weak, the poor, the churches, and the Gospel of Christ.”
Modern Application in OTJ (Ordre du Temple de Jérusalem):
Today, the OTJ preserves these spiritual principles, transforming them into daily acts of devotion and service. While we no longer wield swords, we:
• Serve the poor, marginalized, and persecuted through charity and advocacy.
• Commit to personal spiritual discipline, with daily prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness.
• Uphold moral integrity in a world often driven by ego and greed.
• Work together in obedience and unity, submitting to the spiritual mission of the Order.
As Scripture says:
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” — Isaiah 1:17
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22
For OTJ knights, the Templar Rule is not an old text gathering dust — it is a living commitment to embody the Gospel through action, humility, and service.
We remember Saint Bernard’s words and the call of Christ:
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” — Mark 9:35
Let us carry the Rule in our hearts, not just on paper — transforming our lives into a daily offering of love, sacrifice, and faith.
