It has been a busy autumn for diocesan members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, an ancient order that dates back to the First Crusade.
During September, several members from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois made a formal pilgrimage to Rome during this, the Year of Faith. Also in September, a number of new members joined the Order.
Spending several days on the pilgrimage, originally at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 were Gerald Glaus, KGCHS, and his wife Mary Glaus, LGCHS, of Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville, co-Section representatives for both the Springfield and Belleville dioceses; Jim Comerford, KGCHS, and his wife Mary Comerford, LGCHS, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur; and Father Daren Zehnle, KHS, a diocesan priest currently studying Canon Law in Rome.
"Approximately 3,400 members from throughout the world accepted the invitation (to Rome)," says Gerald Glaus. "This included approximately 50 members from the United States North Central Lieutenancy."
Although the pilgrimage itself ran from Sept. 13-15, he and his wife, as well as the Comerfords, began an extended pilgrimage a few days earlier. "Father Zehnle was able to serve as our interpreter," Glaus says.
The opening Mass for the pilgrimage was celebrated at the Papal Basilica St. Paul Outside-the-Walls on Sept. 13. "His Eminence Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, Grand Master of the Order, presided. That afternoon we went to Vatican City, where we had an audience with Pope Francis, meeting him at the Paul VI Audience Hall," Glaus says.
Pope Francis' address centered on three words: walk, build and confess. "At the end of his address, Pope Francis individually greeted all the lieutenants as well as numerous members of the Order who were wheelchair-bound," says Glaus.
The large group also attended Morning Prayer and a concert of religious music at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, visited the Vatican gardens and attended the closing Mass and investiture of new members at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls.
"The flowers and cacti and monuments and fountains were amazing," says Glaus. "We were able to visit areas of the gardens which were frequented by some of the popes and we were able to spend some time in prayer there."
On the extended pilgrimage he and his wife, along with the Comerfords, visited a number of churches, and took a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
"Being on pilgrimage in Rome was certainly a spiritually enriching experience," Glaus says. "Having the opportunity of being at Mass in so many of the beautiful churches in Rome, being in the presence of the pope and listening to his address — we are truly blessed at being given this opportunity for pilgrimage. We were able to meet so many people and really got to know them from sharing their faith."
Later in September, new members went into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at investiture and promotion ceremonies held in Green Bay, Wis. Jack Butler was promoted to KC*HS and his wife Janice Butler was promoted to LC*HS. The Butlers are members of St. Agnes Parish in Springfield.
New members from the Springfield diocese are: Father John Burnette, KHS, pastor of Ss. James and Patrick Parish, Decatur; Father Peter Harman, KHS (who is currently working in Rome and wasn't present); Father T. Joseph Havrilka, KHS, pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Maryville; Matthew Beck, KHS, and his wife Natalie Beck, LHS, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Decatur; Richard Lee, KHS, and his wife Sharon Lee, LHS, of Holy Family Parish, Decatur; P.J. Staab II, KHS, and his wife Ruth Staab, LHS, of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Springfield; and William Sinnott, KHS, and his wife Wilma Sinnott, LHS, of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Springfield.
Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre join the Order to serve the Catholic Church, show absolute fidelity to the pope and carry out acts of charity that help maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The Order aims to support the preservation and propagation of the faith in those lands, and promote interest not only among Catholics throughout the world but also among all other Christians. Its members provide the contributions which are the patriarch's main source of funding.
Since the end of the 19th century, the Order has financed the construction of 40 patriarchal schools in Israel, Palestine and Jordan and now has a commitment to fund their running costs. Around 19,000 students attend these schools, from nursery classes through upper school as well as a number of technical schools. Because of the active members of the Order, the schools are sustained and the needs of the Latin Patriarch are met and supported.
In the Springfield diocese 38 individuals are now members of the Order. Those members include Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, vicar general Msgr. Carl Kemme and several other priests; a deacon, and a number of lay men and women.
Lay people, deacons or priests who are interested in learning more about the Equestrian Order should contact Gerald or Mary Glaus at (217) 245-0842 or (217) 371-0921.