Order of the Collar of Saint Agatha

The Order of the Collar of Saint Agatha, also called the Military Order of the Collar (M.O.C.) is an association, that claims to be the family Order of the Royal House of Aragon, Majorca and Sicily headed by Don Francesco Roberto Paternó. It has recently been transformed into a charitable order with branches all over the world. The authenticity of the order is disputed, e.g. by Guy Stair Sainty:
The history of the MOC is unknown. Members claim that the order, as we know it, began as a dynastic order attached to the Paternó family well before 1850. According to family traditions, the origins of the order are medieval.
In 1953, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a list of unofficial orders, where is "ordre souverain dynastique militaire de Saint-Agathe de Paterno" listed . In Italy is forbidden to wear this Order and sanctions (fines and jail) are prescribed for those who confer them or use them, even if conferred abroad. Under Italian law, only the President of the Republic can accord any kind of recognition to dynastic Orders and neither Don Roberto Paternò Castello nor his father received any such recognition.
Legendary origins
Professor Elena Lourie has shown that after the conquest of Minorca by Alfonso III in 1288, a small number of prominent men were given the rank and dignity of knight by the King in exchange for settling in the fortress of Saint Agatha , keeping horse and armour and when needed defending the island militarily. It seems this was not a Chivalric Order but a military confraternity, founded by decree of King Alfonso II 23 January 1289 .
According to the tradition documented by the 7th Duke of Carcaci (Francesco Paternó Castello e Sammartino) in his book “L'Ordine del Collare" , this group of knights became known as “the knights from St. Agatha”.
Professor Louire has based her research on material found in the Archives of the Kingdom of Majorca .
The Protectress and Patron of the Order is Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr, whose feast day, February 5, is celebrated as that of the Order. Saint Agatha's heroic defense of Christian principle makes her a very appropriate Protectress for an order of knights. The principal aim of the Order, as restored, is to propagate in the modern world the tradition of chivalry as a way of life. It practices good works principally through its Hospitaller Service.
The main historical source for the history of the Order is "L'Ordine del Collare, Patrimonio della Ser.ma Real Casa Paternò" , mentioned above. When reorganizing the family archives the Duke of Carcaci had come across a manuscript diary of his ancestor Don Ignazio II Paternò Prince of Biscari , who had visited the Balearic Islands at the end of the sixteenth century. While there he discovered an original document concerning the Order in the library of the Convent at Fornelle, as well as a contemporary painting showing the badge and the dress of the knights. Don Ignazio recorded these details for posterity and two centuries later his notes were discovered by the Duke, who set about the revival of the Order in 1851 after the publication of his book.
Today the Order is represented in several countries across Europe, as well as in North America and Australia.
Insignia of the Order
The cross of the Order is the Aragonese Cross in gold and enamel, worn on a ribbon of red silk with yellow fringes. In addition, Knights who have already sworn their oath of allegiance to the Grand Master may additionally wear the Cross of Profession, a smaller specimen of the Aragonese Cross, on the right lapel.
The mantle of the Order, worn only in church, is plain white, with a sanguine collar and the Aragonese Cross on the left breast (in full colors for Knights, thoroughly golden for Dames) and a golden chain for closing, affixed to two golden lion heads. The usual categories of membership (Justice, Grace, Profession) are distinguished by an additional golden stripe on the collar.

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