The Order

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is one of the oldest and most historic Chivalric Orders of the Roman Catholic Church. The Order originates from the time of the First Crusade in 1099, when Godfrey de Bouillon reclaimed Jerusalem and the Holy Lands from the Turks and established a guard of honor to protect one of the region’s most sacred sites – the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Today, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is the only lay institution of the Vatican State charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of all the activities and initiatives to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The contributions made by its members are therefore the Patriarchal institutions’ main source of financial support.

Members of the order fulfill their responsibility to support the people of the Holy Land in three patricular ways:

• Praying for the church in the Holy Land
• Donating to the initiatives of the order through annual oblations and appeals
• Promising to make a pilgrimage to the Holy land

To strengthen in its members the practice of Christian life, in absolute fidelity to the Supreme Pontiff and according to the teachings of the Church, observing as its foundation the principles of charity which make the Order a fundamental means of assistance to the Holy Land.

To sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, particularly those of and in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, with which the Order maintains traditional ties.

To support the preservation and propagation of the Faith in those lands, and promote interest in this work not only among Catholics scattered throughout the world, who are united in charity by the symbol of the Order, but also among all other Christians.

To uphold the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.

The Order is divided geographically into 52 Lieutenancies and Magistral Delegations in 33 countries.

The Eastern Lieutenancy is comprised of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the Bahamas. It is governed solely by the Lieutenant, Michael La Civita, KGCHS, who is appointed by the Grand Master, and who reports directly to the Governor General in Rome. The Lieutenant is assisted by a Council and supported by the administrative team.