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Traditional ORDER OF THE CROWN OF THORNS (O.C.T.) - Ottawa,ON
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Welcome to Traditional ORDER OF THE CROWN OF THORNS (O.C.T.)
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<b>ORDRE DE LA COURONNE D'ÉPINES (O.C.É.)<br>30 Briermoor Crescent<br>Ottawa, ON K1T 3G7<br>
Canada<br>613-738-2942<br></center>
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Le français suit</h3>
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PROCLAMATION<P>
By Motion No. 48 of the Corporation of the Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches (ICCC), adopted June 14, 1998 in Hull, Quebec, Canada, is established the Traditional Order of the Crown of Thorns, under Bishop Grand Master S.A. Theriault. The Traditional OCT will observe the Statutes of 1893, which were written and published by <A HREF=http://webhome.infonie.fr/gallican/vilatte2.jpg>Bishop Grand Master J. René Vilatte</A><P>
"IN CREATING THIS ORDER WE HAD NO PRETENSION OF PUTTING IT ON A FOOTING OF EQUALITY WITH THOSE WHICH ARE ALREADY CONFERRED BY SOVEREIGNS AND CHIEFS OF STATES. SUCH AN IDEA ON OUR PART WOULD BE THE HEIGHT OF PRIDE AND PRESUMPTION"<BR> Bishop J. René Vilatte, Statutes of OCT, 1893.<P>
DEFINITION:<P>
The OCT is a chivalrous and religious order organized June 1, 1891. The order was inspired from a similar order founded in 1239, at the times of the Crusades, and protected by St. Louis, King of France. The King had inherited from the Holy Land <A HREF=http://www.pch.gc.ca/cci-icc/english/news17/17louis.htm>the Crown of Thorns worn by Our Lord Jesus Christ.</a><P>
In a Pastoral Letter, Bishop Grand Master Vilatte wrote: "One of the objects of the Order is to have Religious Knights will guard the temple. Above the main altar will hang the painting of St. Louis, King of France, holding the Crown of Thorns". <P> King Louis built, to house the relic,<A HREF=http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Sainte.Chapelle/>the Sainte Chapelle</A> which is one of the inspiring visual experiences of Paris. Much of this is due to its stained glass windows which essentially surround the entire upper floor. It is worth visiting and we can surf to the virtual site through the Internet. <P>
JURISDICTION:<P>
Declaration<P>
I, the undersigned, Founder and First Grand Master of the Chivalrous & Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns (founded 1891.06.01), have transferred my charge and functions of Grand Master to His Eminence J. Rene Vilatte, Archbishop, <A HREF=http://angelfire.com/biz/saterio/images/A114.gif>Metropolitan and Primate of the Old (Christian) Catholics in America, and to his successors in the episcopate</A>, with full powers to confer the grades of the Order, and to make such modifications in them as he may deem fit for the well-being, honor and perpetuity of the Order.<BR>
Given at Portland, Oregon, the 1st of June 1893.<BR>
(Rev.) Gaston J. Fercken.D.D.<BR>
Grand Master<P>
The order was attached to the Council of Oversight for the Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches (CCRCC). The Council was provided with a Bishop (+J.R. Vilatte), who was consecrated in the historic apostolic succession of the Holy See of Antioch in 1892. The Holy See was under Patriarch Ignatius Peter III at the time.<P>
The Council of Oversight was first established in Duvall, Wisconsin, USA. The Episcopal See was transfered to <A HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/biz/saterio/images/A101.gif>St. Louis Pro-Cathedral Church, Green Bay</A> in 1895 and to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1900. It was re-established there at the time of the restauration, in the 1970s, and the Government of Quebec has issued Letters Patent that created a Religious Corporation for Christian Catholics. The Corporation is among the church jurisdictions that are entitled to solemnize marriages by the Direction de l'État civil du Québec. The Board of Trustees for the Corporation is as follows:<P>
President:<BR>
Bishop S.A. Theriault, Ph.D., Th.D., M.P.A.<P>
Secretary & Chancellor:<BR>
The Rev. J. Venne, M.Comm., L.Th.<P>
The Quebec Corporation Board is a continuation of the original jurisdiction, that was issued Letters Patent in 1891, by the State of Wisconsin. <P>
GRAND MASTERS:<P>
The Grand Masters of the OCT Traditional have been the <A HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/biz/saterio/images/Vilatte.gif>Bishops Ordinaries of the CCRCC, starting with Bishop J.R. Vilatte (1854-1929)</A>, to whom succeeded Bishop Casimir F. Durand (1879-1957). <A HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/biz/saterio/images/C106.gif>Msgr O'Neill Côté (3rd in the row), who took office after him, as IIIrd Bishop Ordinary</A>, was a knighted member of the Sovereign Order of Christ and the Sovereign Order of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem (Kights of Malta). He served in the Chair till the present Bishop Ordinary took office in 1982.<P>
STATUTES:<P>
The statutes of the order were promulgated on August 2, 1893, in Duvall, Wisconsin. Provisions were made for three categories of members: "commanders, officers and knights. Among them are Religious Knights who live together under a common rule. They wear a ring in addition to the insignia." Religious Knights lived under the rule of the <A HREF=http://netministries.org/see/charmin/cm00482>Society of the Precious Blood (S.P.B.)</A> and observed its statutes. These statutes were promulgated in Gardner, Wisconsin, on July 1, 1888, by Bishop Vilatte and Father J.B. Gauthier. The present centre of <A HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/biz/saterio/images/A105.gif>S.P.B.</A> is in Hull, Quebec. <P>
INSIGNIA & RIBBON<P>
The insigia of the Order is a cross of Jerusalem in white enamel surrounded by a crown of thorns in gold. In the centre of the cross is a shield with the monogram Chi (X) Rho (P) in gold. <P>
The ribbon of the Order is of red silk with a smooth white border."<P>
+J.René Vilatte, Statutes of OCT, 1893<P>
References:<P>
Bishop J.R. Vilatte, Chivalrous & Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns Statutes, Forth Howard, Wisconsin. Printed by James Kerr & Son, 1893. This document can be consulted at Quebec National Archives, Western Quebec Centre in Hull, where CCRCC repository is located.<P>
Prof. Daniel Cogné, "Les armoiries de +Joseph René Vilatte", Heraldry in Canada, Vol. XIX, No. 3, Sept. 1985, p. 30-33.<P>
GOALS:<P>
The goals of the order are: "to reward those who believe in the God Man, Jesus Christ, and appreciating the grand priviledge of the Christian Faith, heroically propagate its doctrines and combat error under whatever form it may present itself. The Order also has in view to recompense piety, humility and philanthropy wheresoever they may be found". Statutes, Art. 2, 1893. <P>
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Texte français</h3>
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PROCLAMATION<P>
concernant l'Ordre de la couronne d'épines traditionnel, établi par la proposition no 48 de la Corporation du Rite catholique-chrétien d'églises communautaires (CIÉC), votée le 14 juin 1998, à Hull, Québec, Canada. L'OCÉ traditionnel a pour grand maître Mgr Serge A. Thériault et observera les Statuts rédigés et publiés en 1893 par Mgr J. René Vilatte, premier grand maître et évêque ordinaire du Rite catholique-chrétien.<P>
FONDATION:<P>
L'OCÉ a été organisé à Duval (Kewaunee), Wisconsin, le 1er juin 1891.<P>
INSPIRATION:<P>
L'OCÉ s'inspire d'un ordre semblable fondé en 1239, lors des Croisades, et placé sous la protection de saint Louis, Roi de France. Il avait rapporté de Terre Sainte la couronne d'épines qu'aurait portée N.S.J.C.<P> Le Roi fit construire la Sainte Chapelle pour conserver la précieuse relique. C'est un des moments historiques de Paris et on peut visiter le site par internet. L'adresse est: http://www.paris.org./Monuments/Sainte.Chapelle/ <P>
JURIDICTION:<P>
Du point de vue juridictionnel, l'OCÉ traditionnel a été rattaché au Rite catholique-chrétien d'églises communautaires (RCCÉC), que le Saint-Siège Apostolique d'Antioche a doté de l'épiscopat historique en 1892, par la consécration de Mgr J. René Vilatte (1855-1929). Le patriarche était alors S.S. Ignace-Pierre III.<P>
Le siège du RCCÉC, d'abord fixé à Duval, Wisconsin, fut ensuite transféré à Green Bay (1895), puis à Montréal, Québec, en 1900. Il y fut rétabli sous la restauration, dans les années 70. Une corporation religieuse a été constituée par lettres patentes du Gouvernement du Québec. La corporation est reconnue par la Direction de l'état civil du Québec aux fins du mariage.<P>
GRANDS MAÎTRES:<P>
Les grands maîtres de l'OCÉ ont été les évêques ordinaires du RCCÉC, à commencer par Mgr Vilatte, auquel succéda Mgr Casimir F. Durand (1879-1957), puis Mgr O'Neill M. Côté (1939-1986) et l'actuel évêque ordinaire: Mgr Serge A. Thériault (1947- ).<P>
STATUTS:<P>
Les status de l'OCÉ ont été promulgués à Duval, Wisconsin, le 2 août 1893. L'ordre comprend trois catégories de membres: commandeurs, officiers et chevaliers. <P>
Une référence utile: Daniel Cogné, "Les armoiries de +Joseph René Vilatte", dans L'Héraldique au Canada, vol. 19, no 3, septembre 1985, p. 30-33.<P>
BUTS:<P>
Les buts de l'OCÉ sont: la croissance personnelle, sociale et spirituelle, la vie fraternelle, la garde du temple et l'appui au RCCÉC, à ses membres et à ses oeuvres. <P>
INSIGNE DE L'O.C.É.:<P>
L'insigne de l'O.C.É., suspendu à un ruban rouge liseré d'argent, est formé d'une croix de Jérusalem en argent et d'une couronne d'épines en or. En abîme: un écusson chargé du chrisme: chi (X) et rho (P) en lettres d'or. L'insigne se retrouve dans les armoiries épiscopales du RCCÉC.<P>
Les insignes de l'OCÉ pouvaient être obtenus de M. Chobillon à Paris:<BR> 16, rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs.<P>
GRAND CHANCELIER:<P>
Très Ven. le Rév. Jean Venne, O.C.É., O.L.C.N.<BR>
C.P. 2043, succ "Hull", Gatineau (Québec) Canada J8X 3Z2
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