Jesse Lunn, age 13, of Galveston, Tex., for his question:

WHEN DID THE DE MOLAY START?

The Order of De Molay is an international organization of young men between the ages of 13 and 21. More than 2.5 million members have been initiated since the group was founded in 1919.

The Order of De Molay is under the guidance of the Masonic Order. There are more than 2,000 local chapters in the United States.

The organization was founded in Kansas City, Mo., by a man named Frank Land. Land asked a boy named Louis Lower to invite some of his friends to a meeting to discuss forming a new club. When a name was needed, Land suggested some historical figures and the boys chose Jacques De Molay as their namesake. De Molay was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templars, a famous group of French crusaders.

The ritual for the Order of De Molay includes secret ceremonies and is based on seven points: filial love, reverence for God, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanliness and patriotism.

International headquarters for the Order of De Molay is in Kansas City.