Diocese welcomes 600 for Equestrian Knights of the Holy Sepulchre investiture weekend

About 600 knights, dames, clergy and guests were in town last weekend for the annual investiture and promotions weekend of the Equestrian Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The North Central Lieutenancy, which includes knights and dames from six states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, had its celebrations Sept. 25-27 in downtown Cleveland.

The vigil service and promotions took place Sept. 26 at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood. The investiture and liturgy of the memorial Mass was celebrated Sept. 27 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in South Euclid.

The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is the only lay institution of the Vatican tasked with funding the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Donations are used to support schools, hospitals, clinics and parishes in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus.  

Founded in 1099, Pope Leo XIII granted women membership in the order in 1888. The grand master of the order is Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who attended the events in Cleveland. Cardinal Base Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Illinois, is the grand prior of the lieutenancy and Cleveland Bishop Edward Malesic is the coadjutor prior.  

Among local knights and dames organizing the investiture weekend activities were Tara and Daniel Mowery and Robert and Karen Hostoffer. 

The investiture weekend featured meetings, speakers, opportunities for confession, adoration and Mass as well as social events. On Sept. 25, members and guests attended a reception at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum with a buffet dinner. They also heard a presentation from prolific Catholic sculptor Timothy Schmalz. Several of his large, bronze public sculptures based on Matthew 25 are located in the diocese, including “Homeless Jesus.” 

“I am devoted to creating artwork that glorifies Christ. The reason for this devotion, apart from my Christian beliefs, is that an artist needs an epic subject to create epic art,” Schmalz told those at the reception. He describes his sculptures as visual prayers. “When I create a three-dimensional sculpture in bronze I am quite aware that it will last longer than myself.” 

One of Schmalz’s best-known large bronze sculptures is “Angels Unaware,” which depicts a variety of immigrants and refugees. It was installed in 2019 in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. He also was invited to create several sculptures for placement in the Holy Land.  

“If we don’t promote our values and they aren’t seen, they become invisible,” Schmalz said, adding, “My quest is to bring that face to our faith so people can see it.” 

His next project is a piece depicting human trafficking that depicts actual trafficking victims. “We need to bring awareness to it … We can’t let it stay underground,” Schmalz said, adding, “I wouldn’t be able to do this work If I didn’t realize it’s for the greater glory of God.”