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Religion and Reenactment

We are not a religous group

As reenactors we act pious and undertake to role of good catholic monks. We are acting but are respectful to the religion and Order we reenenact. In our order we have various Christains, some Jewish,Pagan and even Atheist members,in our mundane life. But In persona we act very Catholic...As Catholics are the only Period faith other than Judism and Islam of the middle ages.

And as Monks thats what we would be. (yes I know about Cathars and other interesting heresies, and yes though period are moot to the context of Templar Reenactment)

Religion scares many in the SCA but we must remember its the basis of chivilry, and the medieval period in the whole. We need much more Islamic personas....Hey I'm a crusader with out a crusade. We also need more jewish personas, Jews were vital in the middle ages...in fact I've always wondered why Churgeons don't often take Jewish (or Islamic)personas. As Jews in europe had higher status than Christian doctors in most peoples eyes.

So as a Templar we have addressed that your mundane beliefs are moot in a reenactment Order. Well yes and no, it can be a celibration and search of faith for some, but for most it is but a study and reenactment of a historical time.

On Playing Religion

Ok, I'm a Catholic in mudane life so I hope fellow Christians won't be offended by my offering advise to those who want to "Reenact Christain" Monastic life in accordance to their persona.

As monks we live a harsh and severe life. When the bell tolls for matins, a Templar must immediately make his way to hear the Office. He should listen to the matins silently, then say thirteen paternosters. Later each day the bell summons the brothers to hear prime, mass, terce, then sext.(83) Prayer is said at the meals. A priest may say the blessing, and one paternoster must precede the breaking of bread. The same holds true for vespers--the bell must be heeded promptly. When compline arrives to end the monastic day, the brothers should be in place and may share in a communal drink. When compline itself begins, the drinking should give way to silence and attentive prayer. One must seek permission to miss a prayer service. In these ways, the Order of the Temple follows the Rule's message: "If we love God, we should willingly hear and listen to His holy words."

On Eating Meals Eating should be done in silence. No doubt because of the more strenuous military lives of the Templars, meat is allowed, though only thrice a week, excluding Christmas, All Saints, Assumption, and the feasts of the twelve disciples. Specifically, brothers may eat two meat meals on Sundays, but none on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays. Undiluted wine is allowed in RT, but not between dinner and Vespers.(76) The diet of the brothers is limited to what is needed to sustain them adequately amidst their labors. The Templars and Benedictine monks share analogous eating practices in this respect. The Templars receive more food because they require more as soldier-monks.

The Rule also designs a way of life that is cenobitic. Templars take vows of personal poverty, obedience, and chastity. They dress conservatively and wear their hair short.(69)(If you have Long hair as I do keep it in a hood) . A brother owes his Master the firmest of obedience, for nothing is dearer to Jesus Christ than obedience.(70) One should only speak when necessary, refraining from idle chatter and laughter. Hand gestures ought to supersede words at the dinner table.(71) Theft and heresy are two wrongs worthy of expulsion from the house. The second tier of offenses, all worthy of losing one's habit, include contact with a woman and giving the alms of the house to a secular man (another form of theft).(72)The Rule specifically addresses swearing as vile no matter what the conditions. A brother should say nothing but good things, or remain silent. Certainly then, lying is an offense worthy of losing one's habit--particularly lying to discredit a fellow brother.(73) Physically assaulting a brother, is intolerable, and in this case worthy of losing one's habit and even getting put in irons.(74) The Templar monks clearly should lead similar lives of brotherhood, moderation in all things, and purity worthy of Christ.

Period Prayers and other religious notes

The Hours, incompleat

Lauds

Also known as Morning Prayer. It is meant to be said first thing in the morning. There is a hymn, two psalms (or bits of psalms if they are long), an Old Testament canticle (basically a psalm that happens not to be in the Book of Psalms), a short reading, and prayers of intercession. In public celebration, it is possible for Mass to follow straight on from this Hour.

The Little Hours

These are also known as Prayer through the Day: Terce (the third hour in Roman reckoning, or mid-morning), Sext (the sixth hour: noon), and None (pronounced to rhyme with "moan", this is the ninth hour, or mid-afternoon). These hours are short, so as not to be too much of an interruption, but because they still are an interruption, most lay people won't want to bother with them, and they will be added to this site last of all.

Vespers

Also known as Evening Prayer or Evensong. This Hour takes us from the bustle of the day to the calm of evening. There is a hymn, two psalms, a New Testament canticle (usually a hymn from St Paul or a song of triumph from the Apocalypse), a short reading, and prayers of intercession.

Sundays and important feasts are considered to start the night before (like the Jewish Sabbath) and have so-called "First Vespers" on that night: you don't need to worry about this refinement because it is built into this site.

Compline

Also known as Night Prayer, and sometimes combined into the public celebration of Vespers. It is the last prayer of the day, and sums up all that went before, as we examine our consciences and offer the actions of the day to God. Compline will come to this site soon, so keep checking back.