Quest of the Holy Grail

"The glory of our Castle and house is the Holy Grail.  It has spread our fame into every clime.  Many have desired its mystery."

The story of the Holy Grail is intimately linked to the cup which Christ used in the institution of his memorial sacrament, out of which He drank, and which He gave to Joseph of Arimathea with the express charge of purity, and then it would remain among his followers.  Joseph added to its preciousness by catching therein some drops of the sacred blood that fell from the cross.  This holy vessel became the chief treasure of his house.

Sacred Tradition relates that Joseph of Arimathea was the uncle of Our Lord, as well as a merchant and trader.  It is said that the young Jesus and his mother Mary accompanied him to England in those "lost years" before the beginning of Christ's ministry at age 30.  After the crucifixion of Christ, it is related that Joseph returned to England, where he founded the 'Vetusta Ecclesia' (the Ancient Church) in 37 A.D.

It was upon holy ground, at the foot of Glastonbury Tor (the legendary Isle of Avalon) that Joseph thrust his pilgrim's staff into the ground, where it immediately took root and budded.  This became the famous Glastonbury Thorn, flowering every year at Christmas in honor of Christ's birth, until it was cut down and burnt by a Puritan fanatic in the seventeenth century.  Even today, succeeded by a slip of the original stock, the Thorn miraculously continues to flower at Christmas, while native thorns flower only in May.

Accompanied by a band of followers, Joseph had brought with him the sacred chalice of the Last Supper.  In honor and imitation of Christ's twelve Apostles, he bid twelve of his companions to live together as a community of hermits.

Under the guidance of St. Gabriel, the disciples of Joseph built there the 'Vetusta Ecclesia', the 'Ancient Church', the first Christian church in Britain.  Tradition relates that they found part of the church already built for them, 'erected by no human hands', but made by Christ himself, the carpenter's son, perhaps on one of those earlier journeys with his uncle Joseph.

At his death Joseph handed the holy cup down to his eldest disciple with the dying charge of Christ, that of purity.  For many generations the disciples remained pure in “thought, word, and deed,” and pilgrims came to their church and monastery, called the Castle of the Holy Grail, to feast their eyes on its treasure.  At last a young man inherited it in a Belial generation, and gave himself up to low living.  The Holy Grail took flight and was lost to man.  His sin, like all sin, was social, bringing doom on self and injury on all.

Many generations later King Arthur arises and reigns.  In his day the heathen dared not touch the shore of the “rock-bound isle,” nor the marauder to raise his ugly head in the land.  The Church was one and the people were united.  The Church enjoyed a wonderful revival of true religion, the home the great blessing of the king’s teaching, “To love one maiden only, cleave to her,” and man the knowledge that true and lasting power only comes from purity.  In such a day the Quest of the Holy Grail called many.  In today’s fallen world, it calls the few, that thereby “all the world may be healed.”

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Within You

The Grail Knight sets forth upon his Quest in search of the marks and proofs of his Creator, who amply rewards the sincere seeker with signs and wonders and unveilings.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Quest is a journey towards knowing God and finding one’s truest purpose in life, what one has been created for.  The Grail is as personal as it is universal, and is symbolic of all that is near and dear to us, the fulfillment of the righteous desires of our heart.

The Quest of the Holy Grail is a way for all who want to experience more deeply and richly the holy mysteries of the ancient Christian faith, for which the Grail remains the perfect object and symbol of this Quest, a  knowledge which cannot be taught or given, but must be learned and experienced.

Upon this path you will discover a knowledge of the spirit that is not second-hand but one gained through direct and personal experience, with an assurance that comes from within.

Those who go forth upon this Quest find a mystical path to God through which contact with the other world becomes a common reality; marked by unceasing and burning prayer, wondrous visions, prophecy, healings and communion with the saints.