Confraternities and archconfraternities
Knights of St. John International
KSJI · Knights of St. John · Knights of St. John International and Ladies' Auxiliary
Roman Catholic men's fraternal organization, with a Ladies' Auxiliary. Present in nine countries: the United States, Canada, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, England and Germany.Over 19,000 members in nine countries, per the organization's own homepage
A letter or two
Through a local group. Commandery dues apply. No figure is published on the pages reached.
How to find or start oneFind a commandery near you and approach it directly, because the national site carries no application form and all intake happens at commandery level.
Members have a portal to sign in to.
A Catholic men's fraternal society organised in local units called commanderies, standing for Faith, Hope and Charity under a banner of fraternity. Members serve their parishes, turn out in uniform for Masses and processions, run charitable works, and progress through a series of degrees conferred at ceremonies called exemplifications. A Ladies' Auxiliary runs alongside it. One point of confusion is worth clearing up: this is a different body from the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem (SHOSJ, at knightsstjohn.com), which is a self-styled order of chivalry with grand priories, vows for knights and dames, and its own members-only login area. If you are looking for the American fraternal society founded in 1886, ksji.org is the right place.
Where it comes from
Incorporated in New York State in 1886 under the patronage of St John the Baptist. 'International' was added to the name in 1992 when commanderies outside the United States joined.
What you promise
Be a practising Catholic man. Join and support a local commandery, attend its meetings and activities, pay commandery dues, and receive the degrees as they are conferred.
What the Church attaches
Fraternal and charitable fellowship, Masses attended as a body, and the intercession of St John the Baptist. No indulgences are published on the site, so none should be claimed.
Something physical is involved
Commanderies wear uniform and regalia for parish and civic functions; nothing is required in order to apply.
Enrollment checked 2026-10-22. Details change without notice and parish practice varies. Confirm before relying on this sheet.