Welcome

“You are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
~ Acts 1.8

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Eastern Lieutenancy is an association of Roman Catholic Christian faithful entrusted with an important mission from the Holy Father – to serve as witnesses to the Christian faith and supporters and protectors of the Church and the living Christian communities in the Holy Land.

The Order’s mandate originates from the time of the crusader knights who were responsible for protecting the Christian pilgrims traveling to the sacred sites. Today the Order’s members continue to aid the Church in the Holy Land and to strengthen the practice of Christian life amongst its members.

Message from the Lieutenant

8 May 2025

Dear knights and dames,

We have a pope!

The College of Cardinals has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, the 267th pope on 8 May. He is the first North American to be elected pope and has taken the name Leo XIV.

What is in a name, you ask. Plenty.

The last pope named Leo reigned from 1878 to 1903 and is considered the father of modern Catholic social doctrine. In his landmark encyclical, Rerum novarum, “Of revolutionary change,” Pope Leo XIII affirmed the church’s support for the rights of workers to fair and safe work and to form trade unions, while opposing socialism and laissez-faire capitalism.

In his opening words as pope, Leo XIV stressed the role of the papacy and of the church to build bridges, to be open to dialogue and encounter and to work toward justice and peace for all people.

“We must seek together how to be a missionary church,” said Leo XIV, “a church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive, like this square, with arms open to everyone, everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.”

As knights and dames of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, let us stand united with our pope as we work together in building bridges in the cause of justice and peace, the peace of the Risen Jesus, especially in the lands made holy by his life, passion, death and resurrection.

Deus lo vult!

Michael J. La Civita, K.G.C.H.S.

Lieutenant, Eastern Lieutenancy, U.S.A.