Hardly an institution in the world today has the equivalent of honors parallel to that of the Roman Catholic Church. In an age when initiative and ability tend to become lost in the overwhelming social changes that are so universal, these honors stand out as another instance of the timelessness of that Church. They salvage values and ideals from the past. Chivalry is more than romance; it is one of the graces of human dignity. Those who would spurn the past cannot build the future. These honors are enshrined in a morality and code that is rooted in the love and charity of Christ made visible through human compassion and effort. They envision the kingdom of heaven as their perspective quite in the way of the parable Our Lord so earnestly preached when He tenderly uttered the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” ILLUSTRATIONS MILITARY ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD [Illustration: Teutonic Order Black cross with white borders, black ribbon.] [Illustration: Order of the Holy Sepulchre Red cross of Godfrey de Bouillon, military trophy, black ribbon.] [Illustration: Order of Malta Grand Cross of Professed Bailiff: White cross, crown, military trophy and black ribbon with two gold designs, representing crown of thorns.] [Illustration: Order of Calatrava Red Cross fleury. Order of Alcantara Green cross fleury. Order of Monteza Red Cross and black fleur-de-lis.] [Illustration: Order of Santiago Lily-hilted sword in red.] PONTIFICAL ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD [Illustration: Order of the Golden Spur Gold cross with golden spur pendent from it, white medal, military trophy, red ribbon bordered with white.] [Illustration: Order of St. Gregory Civil division: red cross, blue medallion, golden crown, oak leaves, red ribbon with orange borders.] [Illustration: Order of St. Sylvester White cross on gold rays, medal of St. Sylvester, ribbon with five strands, three red, two black.] [Illustration: Order of Christ White Latin cross, imposed on red cross, crown, military trophy and golden chain.] [Illustration: Order of Pius Eight-pointed blue star, white medallion, rays of golden flames, blue ribbon bordered with red.] PONTIFICAL DECORATIONS [Illustration: Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Gold cross, fleur-de-lis, medal with image of Leo XIII, purple ribbon with white and yellow line on each border.] [Illustration: Benemerenti Medal Gold, silver or bronze medal with image of reigning Pontiff, yellow ribbon edged with white.] [Illustration: Lateran Cross Gold or silver cross, medallions of the Saviour, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle, red ribbon with two blue stripes.] FOOTNOTES