Knights of St. John International, Lagos Grand Commandery

 Brief History of the Knights of St. John International

 Global Origins
• The Knights of St. John trace their roots to the Knights Hospitaller, a Catholic military and hospitaller order established around 1048 A.D. in Jerusalem to care for sick pilgrims and defend the Holy Land.
• The modern revival of the Order emerged in the 19th century, particularly among African-American Catholics in the United States, forming the Knights of St. John International (KSJI).
• KSJI promotes faithful service, military-style discipline, and Catholic brotherhood, grounded in charity and devotion to the Church.

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 Arrival in Africa
• KSJI spread to Africa in the mid-20th century, especially through missionary Catholic networks, initially in Ghana and later in Nigeria.
• Its appeal grew rapidly because of its emphasis on:
• Lay Catholic leadership
• Structured service and ceremonial discipline
• Youth formation through the cadet movement

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 KSJI in Nigeria: History & Impact
• The Order officially arrived in Nigeria in the 1950s, gaining strong presence by the 1970s.
• In 1976, Colonel Ejiogu formally introduced and structured the Knights of St. John in Enugu, giving it a solid foundation that would influence its nationwide growth.
• The uniform worn by KSJI members is more than ceremonial—it symbolizes:
• Discipline and honor
• Commitment to service
• Visible identity in Catholic liturgy and public witness
• Today, Nigeria is home to one of the largest KSJI populations globally, particularly in Anambra, Lagos, Enugu, Rivers, and Delta States.

KSJI in Nigeria actively serves by:
• Supporting parish security, liturgical events, vocations, diocesan celebrations, and health missions
• Running youth cadet programs
• Providing charity to widows, the sick, and the poor

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 The Three T’s: Time, Treasure, Talent

KSJI members are called to give of themselves in three vital ways:
• Time: Through presence at liturgies, meetings, and service projects.
• Treasure: By contributing financially to Church and charitable missions.
• Talent: Using personal gifts—leadership, logistics, skills—for the Order and the Church.

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 Pillars of the Order: Faith, Hope, and Charity

The Knights of St. John International are grounded in spiritual principles that guide their mission:
• Faith: Loyalty to the Catholic Church, devotion to the Eucharist, and fidelity to doctrine.
• Hope: Belief in eternal life, the mission of the Church, and the power of community to transform.
• Charity: The central expression of love—serving the vulnerable and living out the Gospel daily.

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 Conclusion

The Knights of St. John International is more than a Catholic uniformed society—it is a brotherhood of faith in action, structured to uphold the dignity of the Church and serve the people of God. In Nigeria, the leadership of Colonel Ejiogu in 1976 brought about a transformation that established KSJI as a pillar of Catholic life, driven by discipline, charity, and service. With their distinctive uniforms, members stand as visible defenders of the Church’s mission—anchored on Time, Treasure, Talent, and rooted in Faith, Hope, and Charity.