The Cape or Mantle

The vesting of each new Knight or Lady with a cape or mantle, a type of choir or church robe given to the Order by Pope St. Pius X, 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.  As the prophet Isaiah proclaimed:

“I rejoiced heartily in the Lord, and my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantel of justice.”

It is the visible insignia of the Order, marking it in a special, historic way.  The cloak or mantle of the Order, revived by Pius X, is the oldest link to the Crusaders, who originally adopted a 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 constitute 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 been continual 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.

“It consists of five red and gold trimmed crosses, with a gallows cross in the center, inset at the intersections with four small Greek crosses, representing the five wounds of Christ.”

Beret (Knight) – Black velvet cap with badge applied at the band with the following distinctions of rank:

Knight – Scarlet Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon on a silver shield.

Commander – Scarlet Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon on a silver shield set on a disc of black velvet trimmed by a cord of gold embroidery.

Commander with Star – Scarlet Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon on a silver shield set on a disc of black velvet surrounded by two circular cords embroidered in gold.

Knight Grand Cross – Scarlet Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon on a silver shield set on a disc of black velvet surrounded by two circular cords embroidered in gold.  The shield is surrounded by a wreath of olive leaves embroidered in gold.

Knight of the Collar – Scarlet Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon on a silver shield, set on a disc of black velvet surrounded by one circular cord embroidered in gold. The shield is surrounded by a garland-shaped crown of thorns.

Cape or Mantle (Lady)

A black silken cape, with the red Jerusalem cross emblazoned in the same fashion as on the Knight’s cape, was adopted for the newly accepted women with the title Lady.  The black Dames’ cape is an important link to the Order’ history.  In the late 1800’s, when Pope Leo XIII invited Dames 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 (Lady)

Black lace in the Vatican or Spanish mode.

Use of the Uniform

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