Martinism was shaped and formed over many years by a multitude of amazing spiritual leaders. Many men and women have contributed to the advancement of our cause, and the following are those who we are most indebted to.
Pillars of the Martinist Tradition
Martinez de Pasqually
Jacques de Livron Joachim de la Tour de la Casa Martinez de Pasqually (? – 1774) is generally regarded as the father of the broader practices and traditions that are now an integral part of Martinism. As a person, Pasqually was a complete mystery. We do not know when or where he was born, or even what country he hailed from. The first reliable records that we have of his existence are French masonic documents from 1754. We know that he was a baptized Roman Catholic, that he inherited land in French Hispanola (where he ultimately died), and that his native tongue was most likely not French.
What he is best known for (among Martinists and students of general esoterica) is founding l’Ordre des Chevaliers Maçons Élus Coëns de l’Univers, or the Order of Knight-Masons Elect Priests of the Universe, generally called the Élus Coëns. Pasqually founded the Élus Coëns as an esoteric Christian theurgic order, focused on establishing an “invisible church” – a Christian faith that transcends boundaries of countries and doctrines. This revolutionary pseudo-masonic priesthood taught the doctrine of Reintegration, which reveals to mankind the method by which we can become one with God again.
When Pasqually died in 1774, it was the end of the original Élus Coëns, who had relied heavily on his leadership. Two of his protégés, however, distinguished themselves in both their leadership and their philosophic contributions to Martinism: Louis Claude de Saint-Martin and Jean-Baptiste Willermoz.
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin (January 18, 1743 – October 14, 1803) contributed so heavily to the philosophy of Martinism that he was both the namesake and the inspiration for our Order. He originally hailed from Amboise, France, from a minor noble family. He studied law before becoming a soldier in the French army, where he because a Freemason, and was eventually introduced into Pasqually’s Élus Coëns in 1768. Records show that for three years (1768 – 1771), he worked as Pasqually’s secretary. Saint-Martin eventually left the army to write books and spread the teachings that would eventually be known as Martinism. He lived with Jean-Baptiste Willermoz while writing his first book, Of Errors and Truth, and travelled far and wide, both close to home in Parisian salons, and far away in England, Italy, and Switzerland. Although he was imprisoned and all his possessions were seized, he survived the French revolution, and became a school teacher.
Saint-Martin’s writings are deeply complex, but rich in theory and doctrine, and have strikingly informed Martinist tradition to this very day. Early Martinism was considered a “Judeo-Christian tradition,” with Pasqually’s influence being more strongly rooted in Judaic tradition (Martinesism), relying heavily on the intercession of angels. However, Saint-Martin’s understanding of mysticism and eschatological cosmology was far more Christian in nature, with the Christ spirit as the only indispensible salvific force, which is part of why modern Martinism is an explicitly Christian tradition.
Saint-Martin considered the ideal future of the world to be one where Godly men would become “divine commissioners” who lead the people, and where the Church as an entity would fade from existence. An organic, decentralized theocrachy would take over society, and all people would be led to Reintegration. Saint-Martin’s “path” in Martinism is often called the Way of the Heart, emphasizing the importance of prayer, meditation, and quiet introspection. This approach would impact so many others that followers of his philosophy formed small groups called Friends of Saint-Martin, who were the precursors to contemporary Martinists.
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz
Jean-Baptiste Willermoz (July 10, 1730 – May 29, 1824) is the origin of chivalric Martinist currents. He was a fundamental part of the wild, ever-changing milieu of Continental Freemasonry. He was initiated at the age of 20, and served as Venerable Master of his lodge when he was 23. He became involved with the Regular Grand Lodge of Masters in Lyon, and served as Grand Master in 1761. During this time, he dedicated himself to the study of alchemy as it related to Freemasonry. Only a few years later, he was admitted to the Élus Coëns, and soon after given the rank of Réau-Croix.
Still dedicated to masonic causes, he became involved with the Rite of Strict Observance (founded by Baron von Hund), and chartered his own Strict Observance lodge in Lyon. This eventually led to the establishment of a new rite based on Templar legend, the Régime Ecossais Rectifié (Rectified Scottish Rite, or CBCS), which combined masonic Templary with doctrines and teachings of the Élus Coëns. The CBCS still thrives today in both masonic and non-masonic currents.
The Father of Modern Martinism
Papus
Gérard Encausse (July 13, 1865 – October 25, 1916), better known as Papus, is widely regarded as the founder of Martinism as we know it today. When he was young, he was obsessed with esoteric studies, and learned extensively about Kabbalah, Tarot, alchemy, ceremonial magic, and many other occult subjects. He was a member of a large number of esoteric and occultic groups, and founded his own, which he called the Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Croix. He also earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Paris, and occasionally worked as both a physician and an occult consultant for Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra. He died while serving as a military hospital physician in the French army medical corps during the First World War.
In 1891, Papus founded the Martinist Order (l’Ordre Martiniste) using original papers allegedly written by Pasqually, and claimed that he had been initiated by a friend whose grandfather had been initiated by Saint-Martin himself. Prior to all of this occurring, Papus had met Pierre-Augustin Chaboseau, who had also been initiated into Martinism (through a different current), and they exhanged initiations to strengthen each other’s lineages. This exchange is what supports Papus as the founder of modern-day Martinism, and the Martinist Order as the parent organization from which the vast majority of regular Martinist orders derive their origin.
Stewards of the Tradition
Jean Bricaud
Jean (Joanny) Bricaud (February 11, 1881 – February 24, 1934) was a student and writer of occultism and esotericism. He served both as Grand Master of the Martinist Order and as the Patriarch of l’Église Gnostique Universelle (Univeral Gnostic Church). He was heavily involved in Freemasonry as well, ultimately being so influenced by it that he established a requirement of Masonic affiliation to be admitted into the Martinist Order.
Constant Chevillon
Constant Chevillon (October 26, 1880 – martyred March 23, 1944) was a prodigy who entered the College of Montciel at the age of twelve. He was deeply in love with the academic side of philosophy. He served as the French Grand Master of Memphis-Misraïm Freemasonry, the Patriach of l’Église Gnostique Universelle, and the head of Fédération Universelle des Ordres, Fraternités et Sociétés Initiatiques (FUDOFSI), representing many different esoteric and occultic orders. Under his leadership, the Martinist Order began admitting women who were members of co-masonic orders or of the Rite of Memphis-Misraïm. On March 23, 1944, Chevillon was murdered by the French Vichy Regime for his involvement in, and leadership of, initiatic societies.
René Chambellant
René Chambellant (March 6, 1907 – September 1, 1993) served as Patriach of l’Église Gnostique Universelle and along with Robert Ambelain, Robert Amadou and George LaGrèze, was instrumental in the revival of the Élus Coëns as a Martinist organization. While teaching dentistry and oral surgery in the Congo, he oversaw the efforts of French Freemasonry in that region, and served as the Primate of Africa for l’Église Gnostique Universelle.
It is from both Constant Chevillon and René Chambellant that M∴O∴A∴ derives its pedigree and regular Martinist lineage.