The Masonic Thread

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Library Acquires Copy of Processus Contra Templarios

The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge has announced the acquisition of Processus Contra Templarios, an unprecedented publication containing a collection of facsimile manuscripts relating to the trials of the Knights Templar.

The Holy See shocked the world when it announced that the Vatican Secret Archive would publish exclusive and previously unavailable source material on the hearings against the medieval warrior-monks. The announcement was of special interest to Freemasons and students of Masonic history, as many theorists trace modern Freemasonry's origins to the military-religious order, and the modern Masonic Templar organization is an important part of the fraternity today. To date, there is no proven historical link between the medieval Knights Templar and modern Freemasonry.

Presented to the world in October 2007, the 700th anniversary of the arrest of the Templars, Processus Contra Templarios is a joint project of the Vatican Secret Archives and Italy's Scrinium cultural foundation. This unique work is being published in a limited run of 800 copies, under the supervision of Archive officials, and includes faithful replicas of the original parchments closely guarded at the Secret Archive, along with exclusive critical commentary on the minutes of the inquiry.

The publication is highly valued for its documents and critical texts. The most exciting manuscript in the document collection is the "Chinon Parchment," which contains Pope Clement V's absolution of the Templars on charges of heresy, which had been the backbone of King Philip of France's attempts to eliminate them. The pontiff had suspended the Templar Order, without disbanding it, and eventually re-admitted the Templar officials and the entire Order back into the Roman Church community. The pope recognized that they were guilty of many other minor crimes, but not heresy. The parchment, also known as the "Chinon Chart," was misplaced in the Vatican archives until 2001, when a medieval historian stumbled across it. The parchment was incorrectly catalogued at some point in history and was the key document historians had been looking for.

The Vatican expected most copies of the work to be purchased by specialized libraries at top universities and by leading medieval scholars. The Livingston Masonic Library may be the only Masonic-affiliated research facility to purchase a copy, and one of only a handful of copies in the entire United States. "We are aware that this purchase will raise some eyebrows, both within and outside the Masonic fraternity," noted Thomas M. Savini, Director of the Livingston Masonic Library. "But the acquisition of this work coincides with our mission to collect, study and preserve the Masonic heritage. The Masonic heritage includes investigation into Freemasonry's historical roots, but also the study of its inspirational roots, which include Rosicrucianism; the study of philosophy from the European Enlightenment; and study of the Knights Templar. This collection of documents is important not only to students of Freemasonry, but to medieval and religious scholars and historians as well. It is important that someone in the U.S. make this available, and the Library's Board of Directors unanimously agreed that it should be us."

President of the Library's Board of Directors, Barry Mallah, explained the reasoning behind the purchase. "With such an important announcement rippling through the Masonic world, we felt the Livingston Masonic Library should continue its ground-breaking traditions of presenting important works to the research community. We were the first Masonic research library to provide online access to our museum collections and book catalogue, and obtaining the Processus is a continuation of our commitment to research." He also described an exciting opportunity for Masons and the public at large to participate. "To help offset the cost of the book and further our fundraising goals, we are inviting Masons, their lodges, other Masonic organizations, and non-Masonic individuals or organizations to make a donation to the Library on behalf of the Processus. In return, the names of donors will be added to a special commemorative document that will be deposited within the publication."

Original documents of the trials of the Templars have never before been offered to scholars. The epic work of Scrinium is presented in a soft leather case that contains a large-format book with scholarly commentary in Italian and English, reproductions of original parchments in Latin, and replicas of the wax seals used by 14th-century inquisitors. One parchment measuring about a foot and a half wide by more than six feet long is so detailed that it includes reproductions of stains and imperfections seen on the originals. The precise reproduction of the parchments will allow scholars to study them, touch them, and admire them as if they were dealing with the real thing. It also means the originals will not deteriorate as fast as they would if they were constantly being handled and viewed.

Using a "Wood's lamp," or ultraviolet light, to thoroughly analyze the original parchments, parts of text that were previously unseen were recovered by the conservators at Scrinium. The newly available text, along with standardized designations for both people and locations, will allow scholars to obtain a more accurate and genuine reading of the documents and to amend previously misinterpreted text sections, translations and commentaries. Through their collaboration with Scrinium, the Vatican Secret Archive has given academics access to a precious primary source of research into the facts surrounding the Templar Order. Further to the record and transcription of papers and parchment documents, a section focuses on the review of the Templar history and on the trial against them.

The Knights Templar have been a subject of both scholarly research and popular fiction for centuries, but never as popular as in recent decades. Legends of their hidden treasures, secret rituals and political power have figured over the years in medieval romances, Victorian novels, modern bestsellers such as The Da Vinci Code, and action films like "National Treasure." The Knights have also been portrayed as guardians of the legendary Holy Grail. One theory says that Templars who went underground to escape the persecutions of the inquisitors in the early 14th century evolved as an organization and emerged in Scotland almost two centuries later as early modern Freemasonry.

Library Director Savini said the Livingston Library makes no claim that Freemasonry is descended from the Templars. "Our Library has a duty to provide our patrons with resources that fulfill their interests and research needs, and that expand the general public's understanding of all areas relating to Freemasonry, including the numerous theories and legends relating to its origins. The Processus is an important work that helps us to serve our patrons."

The Processus Contra Templarios was acquired through the Edward J. Scheider Book Fund.

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Book published from Vatican Secret Archives

Vatican City, Oct 4, 2007 / 09:37 am (CNA).- "Processus contra Templarios," a book published by the Vatican Secret Archives on the subject of the Knights Templar will be presented on October 25 in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall. The book contains entire acts of the original hearing against the medieval military-religious order that was suppressed by Pope Clement V.

According to a communique made public yesterday, the new volume is “a previously unpublished and exclusive edition” that will have a print run "rigorously limited to 799 copies" and contains the "faithful reproduction of the original parchments conserved in the Vatican Secret Archives."

The project, "is part of the series of 'Exemplaria Praetiosa,' ... the most elaborate and important publication yet undertaken by the Pontifical Archives."

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Book published from Vatican Secret Archives

Vatican City, Oct 4, 2007 / 09:37 am (CNA).- "Processus contra Templarios," a book published by the Vatican Secret Archives on the subject of the Knights Templar will be presented on October 25 in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall. The book contains entire acts of the original hearing against the medieval military-religious order that was suppressed by Pope Clement V.

According to a communique made public yesterday, the new volume is “a previously unpublished and exclusive edition” that will have a print run "rigorously limited to 799 copies" and contains the "faithful reproduction of the original parchments conserved in the Vatican Secret Archives."

The project, "is part of the series of 'Exemplaria Praetiosa,' ... the most elaborate and important publication yet undertaken by the Pontifical Archives."

How can we get a copy of that book? That's interesting!

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Swami Vivekananda



12 January 1863 - 4 July 1902
Born Narendranath Dutta, Swami Vivekananda is considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the Vedanta philosophy and a leading exponent of both Hinduism and Yoga in the west. He was the founder of Sri Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, now one of the largest monastic orders of Hindu society in India.
Vivekananda’s speech at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois—when he spoke of the harmony of world religions and the common spirituality of humanity—"has been identified by many to mark the beginning of western interest in Hinduism". After four years of constant touring, lecturing and retreats in the west, he returned to India in 1897. He once again toured the west from January 1899 to December 1900.
Swami Vivekananda was the first Indian to be invited to accept the chair of Oriental Philosophy at Harvard University. His lectures and writings have been gathered into nine volumes.
Initiated: 1884
Anchor and Hope No. 1, Kolkotta

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How can we get a copy of that book? That's interesting!

murag sold-out na, mr.regnauld.

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Swami Vivekananda



12 January 1863 - 4 July 1902
Born Narendranath Dutta, Swami Vivekananda is considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the Vedanta philosophy and a leading exponent of both Hinduism and Yoga in the west. He was the founder of Sri Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, now one of the largest monastic orders of Hindu society in India.
Vivekananda’s speech at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois—when he spoke of the harmony of world religions and the common spirituality of humanity—"has been identified by many to mark the beginning of western interest in Hinduism". After four years of constant touring, lecturing and retreats in the west, he returned to India in 1897. He once again toured the west from January 1899 to December 1900.
Swami Vivekananda was the first Indian to be invited to accept the chair of Oriental Philosophy at Harvard University. His lectures and writings have been gathered into nine volumes.
Initiated: 1884
Anchor and Hope No. 1, Kolkotta

Swami Vivekanada, one of the greatest modern saints in India! A superb intellect and a genius in Hinduism!

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How can we get a copy of that book? That's interesting!

anyway, i have a soft-copy of the supporting document behind the Processus Contra Templarios book. the parchment reportedly "mis-filed" during the 17th century in the Secret Archives but was found by a Barbara Frale in the 21st century.

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Swami Vivekanada, one of the greatest modern saints in India! A superb intellect and a genius in Hinduism!

yes, and a Mason too.

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Chinon Parchment

Clement V was a puppet Pope- subject to the whim of Philip IV. The king had single-handedly destroyed a previous Pope, replacing him with Clement and constantly reminded him who was in charge.The Pope was "held hostage" in Avignon, France and wasn't allowed back to the safety of the Vatican. This is commonly known as the Babylonian Captivity. He had one final lifeline to save the Templars- he was obliged to investigate any charge of heresy. This turned Philip's attack into a Papal enquiry.

In 2001, a document was found in the Vatican archive. It was the official Papal enquiry on Jacques de Molay. At the beginning of the enquiry, three of the Pope's cardinals went to Chinon to question de Molay. Far from retracting his confession he repeated it to the Pope's men. He admitted denouncing Christ and spitting on the cross after the formal initiation. He explained it was part of a training exercise for the initiates, if they were ever captured by infidels. According to the Chinon parchment, de Molay was given absolution after he repented.

The Pope decided that the charge against the Templars was one of misconduct and not heresy. He planned to merge the Templars with the Hospitallers, another military order. Philip mounted a blackmailing campaign against him. In 1312, the Pope decided- that even though the charge was not heresy, the acts they were charged with were so grave no one would wear the Templar habit again. Because of the delay in the decision of the charge, he was worried the money the Order had was being squandered and because of the mounting pressure he was receiving from the French monarch, he would abolish the Knights Templar.

The act of Chinon remained a dead letter and on the18th March1314 De Molay was burned at the stake charged with heresy.

The charge of heresy brought against the Knights Templar was devastating. These warrior monks who, for two hundred years had fought to protect and uphold the faith were charged with betraying it. It took Philip IV and Clement V seven years to abolish the Order and now almost seven hundred years later a document has been found that absolved the Knights of this charge.


Read more: "Chinon Parchment and the Templars: A Document Has Been Found To Exonerate the Knights of Heresy" - Chinon Parchment and the Templars: A Document Has Been Found To Exonerate the Knights of Heresy

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Filipino Masonic History

In the Beginning...

The history of Philippine Masonry may be likened to the history of the first Grand Lodge. On the Feast of St. John the Baptist in 1717, four of the pre-existing Masonic lodges in Great Britain organized what became the first Grand Lodge of the world. On December 19, 1912, three lodges that were chartered under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of California finally succeeded in establishing the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands, the forerunner of what is now officially known as the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.

Masonry existed in England long before the creation of the first Grand Lodge, so was Philippine Masonry already alive even before the formation of the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. In 1856, for example, Primera Luz Filipina, the first Masonic lodge in the Philippines, was formed by Jose Malcampo y Monge, a naval captain who subsequently became Governor General of the Philippines. Primera Luz was chartered by Gran Oriente Luisitano and admitted only Spaniards in its fold. Subsequently, three other lodges were established one after the other: the first by the Germans, the second by the British consul in Nagtahan, and the third by the Spaniards in Pandacan.

Not only that, Dr, Serafin Quiazon, head of the National Historical Institute of the Republic of the Philippines, while researching in London on the British trade with the Philippines, stumbled upon a significant piece of historical data. Guissippe Garibaldi, that brilliant Italian revolutionary whom President Abraham Lincoln offered a command in the United States Army during the American Civil War, captained a vessel that anchored in Manila Bay sometime in the middle of the nineteenth century. There is little doubt that the tenets of the Craft landed with Garibaldi in the sandy beaches of the Philippine Islands during that period.