What is DeMolay?
DeMolay, is the world's largest fraternal youth organization, was founded by Dad Frank Sherman Land and nine high school age boys in 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri over 80 years ago.
In the United States and across the world (Brazil, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Panama, Italy and the Republic of the Philippines), DeMolay is a great place to meet young men ages 12 to 21 who you will shortly be friends with for a lifetime. In other words, joining DeMolay you will be surrounded with brotherhood.
Over a million, including public personalities like John Wayne, Dan Rather, Walt Disney, Bill Clinton, and countless others including professional athletes; politicians and astronauts, have been initiated in the Order of DeMolay.
In DeMolay we do many fun activities for our physical and mental health. For instance: sports, dances, trips, parties, car washes, camping trips, and many other exciting programs.
Important for our personal growth, we hold serious activities as well. We hold regular meetings and discuss various programs for activities planned on behalf of the members and the organization's growth.
The Order of DeMolay seeks to build in each DeMolay member the lessons of Filial Love, Reverence for all that is Sacred, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Pureness and Patriotism. Important for the future of an adult leader, DeMolay also teaches the lessons of leadership and practice of civic, intellectual and religious liberty.
Who was DeMolay?
The namesake of the Order of DeMolay was born in Vitrey, Department of Haute Saone, France in the year 1244. At the age of 21, DeMolay joined the Order of Knights Templar.
The Knights Templar was an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church in 1128 to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea. The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades and earned a name for valor and heroism.
With many nobles and princes sending their sons to join the Knights Templar, the Order also became very wealthy and popular throughout Europe.
In 1298, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a position of power and prestige. As Grand Master however, Jacques DeMolay was also in a difficult position. The Crusades were not achieving their goals. The non-Christian Saracens defeated the Crusaders in battle and captured many vital cities and posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only groups remaining to confront the Saracens.
The Knights Templar decided to reorganize and regain their strength. They traveled to the island of Cyprus, waiting for the general public to rise up in support of another Crusade.
Instead of public support, however, the Knights attracted the attention of powerful lords, who were interested in obtaining their wealth and power. In 1305, Philip the Fair, King of France, set about to obtain control of the Knights Templars. They had been accountable only to the Church. To prevent a rise in the power of the Church, and to increase his own wealth, Philip set out to take over the Knights.
The year 1307 saw the beginning of the persecution of the Knights. Jacques DeMolay, along with hundreds of others, were seized and thrown into dungeons. For seven years, DeMolay and the Knights suffered torture and inhuman conditions. While the Knights did not end, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philip's supporters.
During years of torture, Jacques DeMolay continued to be loyal to his friends and Knights. He refused to disclose the location of the funds of the Order and he refused to betray his comrades. On March 18, 1314, DeMolay was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly signed by DeMolay.
Jacques DeMolay disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws of the time, the disavowal of a confession was punishable by death. Another Knight, Guy of Auvergne, likewise disavowed his confession and stood with Jacques DeMolay.
King Philip ordered them both to be burned at the stake that day, and thus the story of Jacques DeMolay became a testimonial to loyalty and friendship.