By David Fitzgerald
More than 600 members including 10 bishops and archbishops attended the annual meeting of the eight-state Northern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) held Sept. 20-22 amidst the imposing backdrop of the Rocky Mountains at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.
The EOHSJ is a Catholic order of knighthood founded over 900 years ago as part of the first crusade to guard the newly liberated tomb of Christ. No longer a military organization, the order continues to aid the Holy Land and Christian families living there. It also strengthens the practice of the Christian life among its 30,000 laymen, women and clergy members worldwide. The EOHSJ enjoys the unique protection of the Holy See by virtue of historic legal and spiritual bonds. Membership is the highest papal honor which can be conferred on clergy and laity alike.
The theme of this year’s meeting was “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17). Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila served as the host of the annual meeting.
On Sept. 22, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS, and Grand Prior of the EOHSJ Northern Lieutenancy, invested 81 new members into the order, including 13 from Colorado, at a Rite of Investiture Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. One of the new members invested this year was Bishop James Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Archbishop Naumann retired from his Grand Prior position at this meeting after serving 16 years and welcomed the new Grand Prior, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Throughout the three-day event, members participated in several liturgical services in keeping with their commitment to strengthen the practice of Christian life. Bishop Golka led a vespers service and Archbishop Aquila celebrated a Memorial and Promotion Mass, both at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. During the Memorial and Promotion Mass, 12 members from Colorado received promotions to higher ranks within the Order.
At a general members meeting, Thomas Pogge, the EOHSJ’s Vice Governor General for North America updated all members on the financial and organizational status of the order, complimenting the Northern Lieutenancy on its significant donations in support of the Holy Land. Sir Tim and Dame Donna Milner presented a summary from the EOHSJ Holy Land Commission on the humanitarian crisis that the war in Israel has created for many, especially for the Palestinian Christians cared for by the Latin Patriarchate of the Holy Land, which receives significant financial support from the EOHSJ. In accordance with its papal protection, the EOHSJ faithful heeds recent words of Pope Francis “….of how urgent it is that from the rubble of Gaza a decision to stop the weapons will finally arise…”
Also at the general members meetings, Archbishops Aquila and Naumann stressed the importance of recognizing how the truth revealed through Christ is so critical in addressing current cultural challenges. Other speakers included Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., who spoke on injustices championed by the popular culture, and Dr. Edward Sri who spoke on how cardinal virtues are necessary for passing the faith.
For more information on the EOHSJ and the situation in the Holy Land, one can visit the website: www.eohsj.net.
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