text: I find that all of these orders of Knights to be centered on one thing: money.  They do some very good things, but when push comes to shove it is really about the huge sums of money they gain from those they court for membership.  Second, it is about clerical prestige and influence, as many priests and bishops are members as well.  They are all hold-overs from medieval times, but have a place, I suppose, in the arena of Catholic life.