The Cape Coast Grand Commandery has exemplified forty-eight members into the 2nd & 3rd Degrees of Knights of St. John International.
The conferment of degrees took place on Sunday, 12th March 2023 at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Cathedral, Takoradi.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Francis Lemaire, the Vicar General of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese and Very Rev. Father Lawrence K. Krah, the Cathedral Administrator.
Before the exemplification, the candidates were taken through various lessons on the Catholic Church, the Order, and other contemporary issues. After weeks of preparation, the first batch of 48 candidates out of about 60 candidates who successfully passed written exams were conferred with degrees.
The 2nd and 3rd degrees are exemplified at the same time upon uniformed and non-uniformed Knights within the sanctuary of a Roman Catholic Church after having actively completed six months of faithful service to the Order of Knights of St. John International as well as having contributed to the works of the Church either directly or through the Order.
The Grand President, Brigadier General Joseph Kwamina Brainoo who was also the Grandmaster of the exemplification ceremony gave an explanation to Unity and Charity in the Order.
He said, “The prime lesson of the second degree is unity whereas the third degree is Charity. In unity there is strength. The keystone of unity is honest and open communication. The effectiveness of our organization can be maintained when the integrity of the organization is safeguarded by all its members. Respect for each other in words and action is completely necessary if we are to reach our common goal”.
Again, he added that “Charity is the greatest of all Christian virtues. Charity is the love of God and our neighbor as Christ told us. Charity is more than giving money but self-giving (in thoughts, words and deeds).
He called on the congregation to radiate the love of Christ who died on the cross to save us from sins. “By applying UNITY AND CHARITY we will be better Knights and by extension Christians”.
In attendance to participate in the Eucharistic celebration were some Officers of the Grand Commandery, 1st District of the Cape Coast Grand, Family and Friends of the candidates.
