Knights of the Cross with the Red Star
Latin: Ordo militaris Crucigerorum cum rubea stella | |
| Abbreviation | O.Cr. |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Military Order of the Crusaders of the Red Star |
| Formation | 1233 |
| Founder | |
| Founded at | |
| Type | Order of canons regular of pontifical right |
| Headquarters | Generalate: Platnéřská 191/4, 110 00 Prague - Old Town |
Region served | Czech Republic, Austria |
| Members | 18 (2021) |
Motto | Latin: Concordia res parvae crescunt. Discordia res maximae dilabuntur. |
Grand Master | Josef Šedivý |
Patron saints | |
Ministry | Hospitaller and charitable activities; pastoral ministry |
Parent organization | Catholic Church |
The Knights of the Cross with the Red Star (Latin: Ordo Militaris Crucigerorum cum Rubea Stella, Crucigeri cum rubea stella, Crucigeri stellati, Stelliferi, Czech: Rytířský řád Křižovníků s červenou hvězdou, German: Kreuzherren mit dem Roten Stern, postnominal initials: O.Cr., O.Crucig.), also known as the Military Order of the Crusaders of the Red Star is a Catholic religious order present in the Czech Republic and Austria. It is the only religious order originating from Bohemia and the only male religious order in the world founded by a woman. The spirituality of the Order nowadays consists of two pillars: The first is the pastoral care in the former so-called incorporated parishes, the second is the hospitaller charisma given to the Order in its beginnings by its founder, St. Agnes of Bohemia.
The Order is currently a community of canons regular. The institute of lay brothers, which existed in the Order throughout history, ceased to exist during the 18th century. The superior general of the Order receives an abbatial benediction and uses the title of Grand Master and General. His seat is in the Prague Crusader Monastery at the Old Town foot of the Charles Bridge.
The Order has 18 members, as of 1 January 2021.