Serving the Church in the Holy Land

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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is pictured at night. It is a popular pilgrimage site of the Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Catholic organization that promotes and preserves the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

You might have seen them at special events in the archdiocese wearing their flowing capes — the men wearing felt berets and the women fine lace mantillas.

But who are they, and what do they represent in the Church?

They are Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a sacred Catholic order, including both laity and clergy, with direct ties to the Vatican. Their purpose: to preserve and promote the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Members are invested into the organization by recommendation from their local pastor and ordinary, which ultimately is approved by the grand prior, an appointed bishop who represents the Vatican in an administrative function, and then Rome. 

“People may think that we’re into preserving the buildings and monuments, and those are important, but really our purpose is to sustain and support the Christian community there,” said George Zirnhelt, lieutenant of the order’s Northern Lieutenancy in the United States, which is composed of eight states, including Missouri. “That is the birthplace of our faith. If we can’t survive there, we’re in trouble.”