Northern Region ISSUE 29 | August 2016
Congratulations – Investiture June 2016 The Priory in New Zealand of the Most Venerable Order of St John conducted an Investiture service in Auckland in June. Investitures are the Order's most important ceremonies as they bring in new Members so that the Order is sustained long-term. Postulants (those admitted or promoted within the Order and awaiting investiture) will be invested with the insignia of the Order (the Badge). The Badge (worn on the breast or around the neck) is the outward sign of Membership and commitment to the Order.
The Badge is the famous eight pointed Maltese Cross - each point represents one of the eight Beatitudes - given by Jesus Christ to his followers and practiced by the Order's members with humility. The Cross is cruciform (as the Order is a Christian order) in plain silver, silver and white enamel or gilt and white enamel for senior grades in the Order. Between the four arms are lions and unicorns from the Royal Arms of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, signifying the Order's status as an order of the British Crown. Part of the Badge suspension is a rarely noticed scallop shell, the badge of St James the Greater, brother of St John the Baptist, the Order's Patron. The scallop is also the symbol of Christian baptism and pilgrimage.