SS. Thomas More & John Fisher
Catholic Church
Achimota
During the 1800's, European immigrants who had left their homelands to find religious freedom in the United States and other Countries formed many benevolent Societies within their parish churches, often named after medieval Knights societies from the Crusade era.
Soon after, the American Civil War ended, and a real need existed for physical and spiritual healing. More benevolent societies were formed, ofthen with a military theme.
The organization took for itself a model and patron, St. John the Baptist. That St. John was a testament and oprn witness of faith in his own unbelieving world rings appropriate in today's materialistic times.
The members of the Knights of St. John International continue to witness their faith in God, through Jesus Christ, in their daily works in the Church, Commandery and Community.
In 1879, in Baltimore, Maryland, many of these groups met and agreed to merge, forming the Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John, later shortened to the Knights of St. John.
The word International was added in 1992 to reflect the reality that the Order had spread to many other Countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Panama, and recently, the United Kingdom.
Good fellowship among members...
There are annual sports meetings for all Commanderies in each District, Dinner Dances at various local Commanderies and it certainly affords opportunity to enjoy each other's friendship.
We support members in times of bereavement.
The Knights encourage their members to be active members of their local chueches, ie.
The Knights also have regular Spiritual Retreats and Recollections;
Family participation is highly encouraged.
Annual Memorial Mass is held for deceased members.
The Knights of St. John are recognised by the Church in their work as a semi-military Order - their uniforms, of which are two types - are specially blessed and a prayer is recited each time they wear them. The uniform group in each Commandery offer Service to the Church and community.
Through its network of fellowship and brotherhood, they offer financial, physical and spiritual support to their felloe Knights and families in times of need. They also extent this support of charity work to their neighbourhood.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the designated Charity of the Order. many other charitable works are done at the Local, District and Grand Commandery levels.
For more information or to receive a Membership Application form, call 0244310244, 0246113972, 0243130071.
The Knights of St. John International also has the ladies Auxiliary, the Cadet Commandery and the Junior Auxiliary.
