The ceremonies of the Vigil and Investiture of the Canada-Montreal Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem took place on September 25 and 26, 2021 at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Both ceremonies were presided by the Most Reverend Christian Lépine, KC*HS, Grand Prior and Archbishop of Montreal, and were broadcast live on the Cathedral's YouTube channel, as well as on the Lieutenancy's Facebook page. (Lieutenance Montreal-OESSJ).

By Amal Catherine Shomali, DC*HS, Chancellor

Four new Knights were invested: journalist and host for Salt & Light Media Mr. Francis Denis, attorney Me. Maro Coric, Vicar General for the Diocese of Sherbrooke the Rev. Steve Lemay, and Archbishop of Sherbrooke the Most Reverend Luc Cyr.  The latter two Knights will relaunch the Section of the Sherbrooke Lieutenancy, which has several long-time members.

During the Vigil on Saturday, the candidates for investiture made a solemn promise to respond to the needs and initiatives of the Order and contribute to projects in the Holy Land by making annual donations but more importantly through prayer and by undertaking a pilgrimage to help stimulate the local economy.  At the investiture, the candidates are aware that the Risen Christ calls them by name and chooses them for a noble ecclesial mission.  This encourages candidates to respond generously to the commitment they are taking on and to grasp the profound meaning of the ritual of the two ceremonies.   

The Cross of Jerusalem, worn with humility on the breast and on the cape, is a continuous reminder to the Knights and Dames of the five wounds of the Risen One that they are ambassadors of Christ's love and always in the service of his Holy Land.

The rites of the Vigil and Investiture ceremonies are two stages of the same solemn act.  The new Knights and Dames enter into these moments in a spirit of prayerfulness and great joy, supported with the esteem and affection of the other Dames and Knights.

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre brings together men and women who are committed to supporting the Christian presence in the Holy Land.  There are about 30,000 Knights and Dames in the world (in 40 countries, 58 Lieutenancies and 7 Magistral Delegations) who support the works of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem throughout the territories of Palestine, Jordan, Israel, and Cyprus.

They provide financial support to the 43 schools of the diocese.  As a lay institution of the Vatican, the Order, being the highest of the pontifical orders, fosters the activities of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem that aim to ensure a higher quality of life for these living stones, so that they may remain in their homeland.

Since the end of the 19th century, in addition to having funded the construction of 43 schools, the Order has continued to defray their operating costs, including the maintenance of the buildings and the salaries of some 1,800 teachers and the administrative staff.

Today, about 19,200 students attend these kindergartens and primary, secondary and technical schools. These students total about 60% Christians (Catholics, Orthodox, etc.) and 40% Muslims, and the Order helps these young people to learn to live in peace and mutual respect because they study and play together from an early age.  The schools of the Patriarchate offer a solid religious, moral, and intellectual formation to these leaders of the future.

The Order also wants to keep this church alive so that the holy places do not become museums.  Since the mid-1900s, many Christian families have left the Holy Land on account of wars, tensions arising from the occupation, as well as the difficult living conditions.  

The Roman Catholic schools work together for the human and social development of populations most in need. By supporting and reinforcing the schools in this way, the trend among the Christian population to emigrate is diminished.  

The Knights and Dames and the Order also help to support the preservation and propagation of the faith in these lands and to uphold the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, the Land of our Redeemer.  For more information, please contact www.saintsepulcre.org to reach the Canada-Montréal Lieutenancy which is seeking to grow its English Section and www.oessh.va for the Vatican site.