Cardinal invests 47 into Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Detroit — Asked what they requested, the 19 men standing near the front of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament responded in unison: “I desire to be invested a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.”

Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, continued his questions directed to the men, who along with 19 women and nine priests — including two bishops — would be invested into the order founded in the 12th century.



The order, whose primary purpose is to support Christians in the Holy Land through both spiritual and physical assistance, includes members from across the globe.

That afternoon of Sept. 28, these individuals would become members of the order’s North Central Lieutenancy in the United States, which spans across Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The setting was the Mass of Investiture, part of an annual gathering of Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepluchre to promote and invest new members, attend spiritual lectures and events and spend time with those from around the lieutenancy.

The events — set in Detroit about once every five years — were held from Sept. 26-29.

During the Mass, one knight-elect, representing his fellow knight-elects, knelt before Cardinal O’Brien and received the gold spurs signifying the order, as well as the order’s sword, reminding him to defend the Church through faith and charity.

Cardinal O’Brien touched the man on the right shoulder, saying, “In virtue of my mandate, I appoint and proclaim you a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The new knight was then clothed in his new white cape and black beret of the order, as well as the order’s insignia — a red, gold-bordered Jerusalem cross. His fellow knights followed suit.

The incoming Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, wearing black dresses and black mantillas, then had their own investiture ceremony in which they promised Cardinal O’Brien “never to fail to keep the honor and dignity of a Lady of the Holy Sepulchre.”

The ladies were given black capes bearing the Jerusalem cross, as well as the insignia, and were followed by the a ceremony for the priest-knights, which included Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette, and Bishop David J. Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, as well as Fr. JJ Mech, pastor of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy.

Many other bishops including Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who himself was made a priest-knight in 1999, concelebrated the Mass. In total, there were 44 knights, 42 ladies and 15 clergy-knights (including Cardinal Adam J. Maida) in the order’s local section that includes the Archdiocese of Detroit and Diocese of Saginaw.

“It’s a great privilege for our archdiocese to host this investiture ceremony,” said Archbishop Vigneron at the beginning of the liturgy.

“So many of the knights and dames of this lieutenancy are very active members of the archdiocese, and I’m so glad that we can be the host for this solemn occasion,” said Archbishop Vigneron, who holds the rank of Knight Commander with Star of the Holy Sepulchre.

Cardinal O’Brien, in his homily during the Mass, reminded members that the dwelling place of one’s heart is a “temple sacred to the Lord.”



“The great mystery of Christ in us is what we celebrate as members of the order,” he said, pointing out that as this mystery should deeply affect all Catholics, “how much more as Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre should (we) be aware of the resurrection of Christ in how it affects our life — every aspect of our life, every moment of our life.”

Gerard and Carolyn Andree, parishioners of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, were two local people invested into the order that afternoon.

Gerard Andree told The Michigan Catholic that without a Christian presence in the Holy Land, the churches and religious sites would “eventually turn into nothing more than museums.”

“I think it’s more important than ever with what’s going on over there,” added Carolyn Andree, explaining that they have already visited the Holy Land once, but intend to return.

Gerard Andree said he has been deeply impressed by the witness of fellow knights and ladies.

“Such friends and examples surrounding you can only make you a better person and a better Catholic,” said Carolyn Andree.

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To find out more, visit www.eohsjnorthcentral.org, write to 939 Longmeadow Court, Lake Barrington, IL, 60010, or call (847) 381-3651.