Welcome from the Grand Prior
Welcome to the official page of the Grand Priory of Argentina of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, representative in the Argentine Republic of the Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH International), a World Order of Knights Templar, registered under Swiss law , with an active presence in the United Nations (UN) and other important international organizations.
Our Order focuses its main objectives on the defense of Christian values, aid to Christians who suffer persecution anywhere in the world and the exercise of active charity reflected in concrete works for society.
It promotes the principles of chivalry by encouraging its members to commit themselves to the practice of Christian spirituality inspired by the Ancient Rule prescribed by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. It promotes Christian ecumenism and an open dialogue with Abrahamic religions, promoting dialogue between peoples and the culture of peace.
The Great Priory of Argentina is open to all those men and women with a Christian vocation, willing to commit themselves to a Templar ethic adapted to the challenges of the 21st century, making their own the motto bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers: Nos nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da Gloriam.
Luis Lübeck, GCTJ
Grand Prior IV
Great Priory of Argentina
About OSMTH Argentina
The first Argentine knight was ordained on July 22, 2001 in Madrid, Spain, under the jurisdiction of the Great Priory of San Sebastian (NATO). In addition, under this orbit the Santa Joan of Arc Command was created, under the jurisdiction of the Central Caribbean and South America. These two events were the embryo of the OSMTH in the Argentine Republic.
In 2002, the first organization took place in Argentine territory. The following year a second ordination of knights took place in the presence of the Grand Prior of the Grand Priory of Saint Sebastian (NATO). In the same act, the Grand Prior created the Commandery of Fray Luis Beltrán in Buenos Aires, which would work under the jurisdiction of said Grand Priory.
In 2004, the then Santa Juana de Arc Commandery acquired the status of Priory, renaming it Priorato de las América Santa Juana de Arc and creating the San Fernando de Castilla Commandery. In the following years, new ordinations were carried out that consolidated the Templar structures in our country, a fact that determined the creation of the first Priory in Argentina, naming it “Our Lady of Lujan.”
From there, new commands were created in several provinces. Finally, in 2012 the Priory was elevated to Grand Priory. In 2019 Eduardo R. Callaey GOTJ was elected Grand Prior III.
The Sovereign Military Order of the Jerusalem Temple ( Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani – OSMTH) is an Ecumenical Christian Confraternal Order, registered under the law of Switzerland, whose main work is charitable and humanitarian in its essence, focusing on aid to all peoples afflicted by poverty, injustice, armed conflicts and natural disasters.
The Great Priory of Argentina is a Civil Association registered with the General Inspection of Justice, constituting the official representation of the OSMTH at the national level.
Our organization does not claim a direct lineage with the original Order of the Knights of the Temple, but seeks to emulate its positive attributes by applying them to modern life. It maintains its commitment to Christians at risk, particularly in the Holy Land and the Middle East, and upholds the need for active charity and the defense of Christian values.
Motto of the Order
NON NOBIS DOMINE, NON NOBIS SED NOMINI TUO DA GLORIAM
This historic motto of the Templars imposed on the Order by its first spiritual father, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, summarizes in a few words the ideal and purpose of its existence.
The first brothers did not live and fight for personal interest, but for a concept: The establishment of Christian society, a civilization dedicated to the Glory of God. Today's Order attempts to emulate this great tradition in that their works and lives must be an example to others and, as a brotherhood, aim to build an aristocracy of the spirit.
A Knight Templar understands that there is a God, a life created by Him, an eternal truth and a divine purpose. Consequently, it is implicit that the true existence and historical bases of the Order have as their objective:
Fight against materialism, impiety and tyranny in the world.
Defend the sanctity of the individual.
Affirm the spiritual basis of human existence.
The Order is committed to upholding fundamental beliefs in a changing world, recognizing that the original mission of the Order remains relevant today. It faces crises and challenges that demand a crusade for the survival of civilization.
It works in collaboration with other similar orders to counteract the destructive elements of society and uphold ethical values.
It recognizes all human beings as children of God, promoting dignity, equal opportunities and the eradication of poverty and injustice.
Advocates for clear policies that guarantee housing, healthcare, and opportunities for personal development.
Promotes patriotism and sustainable management of natural resources. It considers education as key to the future and advocates for an education that respects human rights and fosters the capacity for reflection and choice.
In short, the Order strives to recover the cultural and moral values of the Western world, working on various fronts to achieve these goals.
The OSMTH - International Association of Knights Templar - seeks a world in which:
A constructive dialogue between the great religions of the world, and the individuals and nations that adhere to them, be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and peace.
The sacred places of Christianity and the other great religions are respected, protected, conserved, and pilgrims can travel to them safely.
The dedication, generosity and integrity of all those committed to providing humanitarian aid are recognized and valued, and humanitarian workers can carry out their vital work in an ethical manner without fear of discrimination.
The principles of active charity, courtesy, dedication and honesty, inherent in the highest ideals of the code of chivalry and a personal standard of life, be increasingly disseminated in society, and
The contributions of the Knights Templar, medieval and modern, with respect to agriculture, construction, transportation, manual labor, medicine, finance, interfaith affairs, diplomacy and philanthropy are well documented, and are also widely understood and valued by the public.
Our Commitment
The OSMTH (International Association of Knights Templar) seeks to emulate what the original Knights Templar might have become today.
As a civil organization, it is dedicated to charitable, cultural, humanitarian and reconciliation activities, leaving weapons for exclusive ceremonial use. Look for Christian members who respect the beliefs of others. Inspired by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the OSMTH seeks to promote the ideals of chivalry and Christian living in the modern world. It also adheres to the Principles adopted by the General Assembly of the Order of the Temple in Paris in 1841.
Our membership is open to Christians of all denominations and from all social backgrounds;
We operate as a transparent and open management organization, democratic and non-political;
Our members have the obligation to promote the causes of peace and human dignity; and
Our work in humanitarian aid is carried out for the benefit of diverse groups of all humanity.
The OSMTH, in addition to the local and national activities of its Member Grand Priories, leads collective programs on a global level. These programs are selected and implemented with the objective of promoting specific objectives of the Order internationally.
Promote dialogue between Abrahamic religions and other religions to foster understanding and tolerance.
Assist Christian communities around the world, especially in the Holy Land and where human rights are at risk.
Build bridges between Christian churches of the East and the West.
Contribute as an NGO recognized by the UN in humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and sustainable development programs that respect human diversity.
