Stage 2: the squire

Within the Celtic Church of Yahweh, the plan has been that if one wished to progress past the Monastic order (brothers and sisters) then the next stage would be known as the squire stage. Simply put, a squire was a knight in training.
The monk stage was designed for spiritual growth, and was necessary to be completed by any who wished this path, the Squire stage is different. The squire was different. In ages gone by, the squire would be assigned to a knight. His primary duty would be helping a knight into and out of his armour. He would be the practice dummy for swordplay. He would care for the horse. He would be an apprentice under the knight, and when he had learned what was needed he would then have the opportunity to become a true fully knight himself and would likely have a squire work under him as well.
So, within this present expression of knighthood, it is expected that squires train in sword play. This may seem outdated, but the Celtic Church did not want any knights who were unable to handle the weapon that has often become their symbol. A squire must become a master (expert) in hand to hand combat. He/She should also become an expert in other weaponry (at least one other weapon as chosen by the squire.
It would be expected that a squire acquire the clothing and tools which would be associated with a knight. This would include some level of protective clothing. He/she must also be familiar with the full code of chivalry. He must know how to act like a knight, how to honour other knights, and those in need.
It is during this stage that the squire looks toward a task worthy of their skills. Put simply, this training is personally helpful as far as physical body building, health and endurance, but was never intended to be just “body building” and karate. It was designed that a squire would someday become a knight, and would find an outlet, a quest, a task worthy of their skill set. This task would be as individual as the one training.

As the case with Brother, as one transitions to becoming a knight, it is expected that there would be a ritual (or ceremony) some way to mark this transition. This should be serious, but also be a signal of a break from the old (training) to the new (fulfilling). Although this ceremony is still far on the horizon for Josh and I, I suspect it will take place at Mount Carmel (near Humboldt Saskatchewan). There is another shrine there, popular pilgrim place, a wandering way of the cross, and some beautiful prayer cells, and an outdoor chaple made from field stones. It looks like a perfect place for this transition.

Also, explaining a bit historically about the squire, many people in ages gone by became squires and went no further. They spent their life at this stage. If you remember the story Treasure Island you will remember an important character named Squire Treelawny. Squire eventually became a surname. The reason many people at first went no further then a squire was in part because of the costs. It was expected that a knight would afford the armour, weapons and horse, which was not an inexpensive item to cover. As a squire it afforded many men a similar status, without the extra financial burden.
Also of note is squire (or esquire), was used in the British commonwealth as a term attached to professionals employees. Lawyers and bankers especially would be called Squire (Esquire) into the 20th century, in fact, some have suggested that within the legal profession it would still be appropriate.
I guess it would be worthy to note that at the squire stage, I would still be Brother Brad, but I would also change my formal title to Bradley Lang Esq.