Militia Templi

The Militia Templi is a Catholic private association of the faithful that celebrates its liturgy according to the traditional form in place in 1962, often referred to as the Tridentine Mass.

Founded by the Italian Count Marcello Alberto Cristofani della Magione under the authority of the Catholic Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, the Militia Templi's focus is knightly and monastic and members follow a modern adaptation of the Rule written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux for the medieval Knights Templar.

The current Protector is the Right Reverend Phillip Lawrence, OSB, Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of Christ in the Desert located in New Mexico, USA.

Attached to the castle is a church, also restored, with impressive Burgundian-Cistercian influence and is used daily by the order for the community recitation of Vespers and the celebration of the Tridentine Mass.

The Militia Templi through Preceptories or Magistral Legations, is currently present in the following countries: Italy, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain, United States of America, Puerto Rico (1 Knight, 2 Novices), and Hungary.

The Castello della Magione in Poggibonsi, built in the Eleventh Century, is the headquarters of the Militia Templi. It now consists of a church, the residence of the Grand Master, offices and guest rooms.
Cardinal Antonio Innocenti during the Confirmation in the old rite in the Magistral Church. (At the left of the Cardinal is Silvano Piovanelli , belonging to the Archdiocese of Siena and Prelate of the Militia Templi; to his left is Chancellor dom. Andrea Cappelli and the Grand Master).