The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem: Investiture of Knights

Chev. Dr Glen Farrugia “Today, becoming a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre means witnessing the Kingdom of Christ, and spreading the Church as well as working for charity with a profound spirit of faith and love.”

These are the words which were recited by Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, during the investiture of five Maltese Knights and a Dame held on 23 September at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Perhaps few people know about the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and its presence in the Maltese Islands. Knights of this Order have been present in Malta as early as the mid18th century. However, there was no official jurisdiction and structure until 1996 when a Magistral Delegation of Malta was installed by a decree issued by Cardinal Giuseppe Caprio on 10 March. In the year 2000 AD the Magistral Delegation of Malta was elevated to a Lieutenancy. Today the Maltese Lieutenancy numbers some 50 Knights, Dames and Chaplains headed by the Lieutenant Knight Grand Cross Eric Fenech Pace.

One might question the real purpose of having an Order to protect the Holy Sepulchre nowadays. Some people still harbour the outdated perception that obtaining a recognised knighthood comes with a title, a horse and a sword, however, the situation is completely different. Perhaps, it is due to the limited outreach that we (the members of the Order) do in our country that leads to several misconceptions. The Order’s main objectives are “... to strengthen the Christian life of its members and to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land by way of providing material aid by offering prayers for peace through the Holy intercession of Our Blessed Lady of Palestine”. This is no easy task, especially in a time like this, characterised by religious and political turmoil afflicting the Levant and not only. But it is here that the Order stands out from other institutions. The financial support provided by the Order to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem goes towards various projects which vary from the construction of kindergarten classrooms and post-secondary establishments to the full sponsorship of tuition fees. Schools at the Syrian border were refurbished in 2013 and other similar projects are currently being carried out in Jordan and Israel.

This is the promise prospective Knights of the Holy Sepulchre pledged to the Cardinal Grand Master on 23 September – to provide spiritual and material aid to the Holy Land.

Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien was appointed Grand Master of the Order on 15 March 2012 and Cardinal Deacon of San Sebastiano al Palatino following a successful episcopal career which saw him in the position of Archbishop for the US Military Services. He presided over the investiture in the presence of the new Apostolic Nuncio for Malta, Monsignor Alessandro D’Errico and the Grand Prior Emeritus Mgr Paul Cremona, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta. This ceremony was preceded by the Vigil which was held at St Mary of Jesus Church (Ta’ Ġieżu), the official base of the Maltese Lieutenancy, on Friday, 22 September. His Excellency the Lieutenant, Knight Grand Cross Eric Fenech Pace, would like to thank all those who were involved in this important event and invites the general public to follow the Order’s official website www.eohsjmalta.com and Facebook page (EOHSJ Malta). Those who would like more information about the Order are kindly requested to send an email to eohsj.malta@gmail.com