An ancient Catholic
chivalric order held an annual gathering in Portland last weekend,
initiating 24 new members and promoting 30 others in rank. The Northwestern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre held its annual convention here, moving deftly from 21st century technology in Hilton Hotel ballrooms to 12th century rites at several Catholic churches in the city.
About 300 of the knights and ladies gathered with three archbishops and five bishops gathered to help sustain their mission of fostering faith in the modern world and preserving Christianity in the Holy Land. Prayer, evangelization and almsgiving are chief activities.
The order was established in 1099 by Godfrey de Bouillon, leader of the first crusade. He called for special forces among his knights to spend their lives guarding the newly liberated tomb of Jesus. The order received papal approval in 1113 and membership is still among the highest honors a Catholic can receive. Today, those selected have given meritorious service to the church and humanity.
Popes Pius XII and John XXIII adapted the order to the modern world, opening membership beyond the aristocracy. The order now exists in 30 countries and has 20,000 members, about half of whom live in the U.S.
Archbishop Roger Schwietz of Anchorage presided at a vigil Mass at the University of Portland. Retired Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco, who is Grand Prior of the order, celebrated a Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral for induction of 24 new members.
Archbishop John G. Vlazny presided at a Mass at Holy Redeemer Church in Portland during which members received promotion.
Preaching on the day set aside to honor Mary under the title Our Lady of Palestine, Archbishop Vlazny held up the mother of Jesus, a resident of the Holy Land, as "the one who points Christians most surely to Christ." Mary, the archbishop said, invites people today in the same way she invited the servants of the wedding at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you.”
Pope Benedict, the archbishop said, has called Mary “the great believer” and “the Holy Soil.” Mary, the archbishop said, is an essential part of Christ.
During the weekend, members gathered for an education forum and talks. They heard from Thomas McKiernan of the order's Grand Magisterium in Rome, Brother Jack Curran of Bethlehem University and Franciscan Father Peter Vasko, president of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. Christians have been leaving the region for decades, and current strife is continuing the trend.
Thompson Faller, a philosophy professor at the University of Portland, is chancellor of the Northwestern Lieutenancy. Frederick and Nancy Lee received the Gold Palm of Jerusalem Award for extraordinary devotion, service and commitment to the order and the Christian community in the Holy Land.