When one thinks of a knight, what comes to mind? A brave soldier, clad in armor, sitting upon a horse in service to a sovereign? Or perhaps a chess piece moving strategically around the board to protect one’s king? Knights, however, in the religious sense, are not far off from these ideals. Their goals are often to protect the faith and to bring comfort to parts of the world that lack the peace.
According to their website, the knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre are called “to preserve the Christian presence in the Holy Land in a dynamic of dialogue and peace with followers of other religious traditions.”
On Sunday, Aug. 11, Bishop Malesic welcomed local members to the cathedral’s 12:15 p.m. Mass. Bishop, a knight himself since his episcopal ordination 9 years ago, spoke about the group’s efforts in the Holy Land, “They help to bring comfort to a troubled part of our world, especially those suffering because of the war.”
In addition to their work in the Holy Land, local members are called “to respond to the needs of the poor, such as welcoming refugees and migrants” in their own dioceses.
“We all pray for peace in the land where the Prince of Peace proclaimed the Gospel of God’s love for all of us,” said Bishop Malesic. He noted that the work of the Order touches the lives and cares for people of all faiths in the Holy Land through educational institutions and their work in hospitals, just to name a few of their projects.
The Order was founded in the 1300s and currently has a membership of about 30,000 across the world on five continents in 40 countries. Learn more on their website.