Knights of Holy Sepulchre investiture weekend concludes with Mass, formal dinner

The highlight of investiture weekend for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was the ceremonial for investiture and liturgy of the memorial Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in South Euclid.

Hundreds of knights, dames and clergy solemnly processed into the church before the liturgy, which was celebrated by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, grand master of the order who is based in Rome. Concelebrants included Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago and grand prior of the North Central Lieutenancy; Bishop Edward Malesic, coadjutor prior; Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost; Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenberger; Cincinnati Archbishop Robert Casey; Grand Rapids, Michigan Bishop David Walkowiak, a native of the diocese; Columbus Bishop Earl Fernandes; Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fisher and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, which will host the event in 2027.

Assisting with the liturgy were priest knights from the diocese Father Rob Ramser, Our Lady of Angels, Cleveland pastor; Father Kevin Estabrook, Sacred Heart of Jesus pastor; Father Michael Gurnick, pastor, St. Patrick Parish and St. Malachi Oratory.

Each of the nearly 100 new knights and dames declared their intent to be invested. Then they came forward – two at a time – and knelt before the cardinal who placed the processional cross on their right shoulder, declaring each a knight or dame before they were vested with their robe and the knights received a beret.

The ceremony was similar for the priest investees, except the cardinal placed a mozzetta (a short cape) over their shoulders and they received a stole of the order. Archbishop Casey, who was invested, also received the insignia of his rank.

The newly invested from the Cleveland Diocese are:

• Mary Babula, Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish, Brook Park
• Felicitas Juguilon, St. Albert the Great Parish, North Royalton
• Linda Lagunzad, St. Columbkille Parish, Parma
• Shelley Peet-Martinko, Church of the Resurrection, Solon
• Deborah Scopacsa, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Euclid
• Tom Kurtz, St. Michael Parish, Independence
• Joe LaMantia, St. Bernadette Parish, Westlake
• Rob Martinko, Church of the Resurrection, Solon
• George Metz, St. Clare Parish, Lyndhurst
• Andy Rebholz, St. John Neumann Parish, Strongsville
• Jim Ruddock St. Noel Parish, Willoughby Hills
• Andy Schuler, Church of the Gesu, University Heights
• Daniel Banke
• Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocation director
• Father Mark Latcovich, pastor, St. Ladislas Parish, Westlake
• Father James Mayer, O de M, St. Rocco Parish, Cleveland

Tom Fielding, music director for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and Knight David Krakowski, Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus music director, and members of the cathedral choir provided music for the liturgy.

After Mass, Sir Richard Coyne of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Chagrin Falls, was promoted to knight commander. Sir Daniel Mowery, Immaculate Conception Parish, Willoughby, and Sir Robert Hostoffer each received the Pius IX Award for exemplary service. Mowery and his wife, Dame Tara Mowrey, lead the Cleveland order and Daniel Mowery serves as archivist for the lieutenancy. Hostoffer was recognized for his service as 2026 investiture host.

The lieutenancy also honored knights and dames for their service to the order and the new lieutenant, Anna Maria Montes, was installed before the group returned to the hotel for a formal banquet.

The Terminal Tower on Public Square was lit in red and white on Sept. 27 to mark the conclusion of the investiture weekend. The colors mirror the traditional insignia of the order, which features a red Jerusalem cross on a white background.

The evening ended with the clergy rising to sing “Salve Regina.”