Chivalry isn’t dead: Interview with a Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre

When Godfrey of Bouillon founded what would become the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) after the First Crusade, the Holy Land was in a state of political upheaval.

Were Godfrey with us today, he might find the situation sadly familiar.

However, he would be heartened to see that the work of his chivalric order has expanded and flourished. Under Michael Byrne, the Lieutenancy of England and Wales celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Thomas Edwards spoke with the Lieutenant of the EOHSJ in England and Wales for the Catholic Herald, to find out more about the organisation and its connection to events both deep in the past and presently unravelling in the Holy Land:

Catholic Herald: What are the origins of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre?

Michael Byrne: It is believed that the order was established at the end of the 11th century, following the First Crusade. Its role was to guard the holy places in Jerusalem, particularly the place of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. It fell into desuetude; we date our modern history to 1847, when Pope Pius IX restored the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. As our original role was to look after the holy sites of Jerusalem, he entrusted us with the new archbishopric, which we gladly accepted.

Today, there are about 65 lieutenancies throughout the world, with a total combined membership of around 33,000. Men and women, known as knights and dames, and an increasing number of ecclesiastical members, make up our ranks.

There are two important differences between us and other charities devoted to the Holy Land. First of all, we are not a general almsgiving charity. We have a specific papal mandate to support the Church in Jerusalem. Secondly, an integral part of membership in the Order is the element of spirituality. On investiture, we make promises of loyalty and support to the Holy Father, to pray for the Church worldwide and particularly the Holy Land. We have many religious events: retreats, days of recollection, and Holy Mass. Our membership does not consist simply of giving money to the Holy Land; there is a much deeper level of spirituality.

In England, our lieutenancy, which was formed in December 1954, has approximately 550 members, of which two-thirds are knights, including ecclesiastical members, and one-third are dames within our eight sections. Like every association, whether it’s politics or a golf club, everybody finds their own level of commitment.

Who are some of the saints associated with the order?

Our principal feast is that of Our Lady under her title of Queen of Palestine. St Helena, who is credited with convincing her son, Constantine, to build the first Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is also a major figure. St Bernard of Clairvaux, who wrote the Memorare prayer for us, and St Pius X, who helped reconstitute the order and appointed himself Grand Master, are also our patrons.

Why is the presence of Christians in the Holy Land important, and what are some of the challenges they face?

The Holy Land Christians live in the place where Jesus was born, ministered, lived, died and rose from the dead. The Christians of the Holy Land were the first Christian community.

Many modern-day Christians living there can trace their ancestry back to those early communities. They keep the memory of those first communities and the memory of Jesus alive in a very real way.

One of the things we call them is the “Living Stones”, because the holy sites that we view as important and special are kept alive as active places of worship by the Christians living there. We also call them the “fifth gospel” because they increase and strengthen our own faith. A Holy Land without Christians is unthinkable.

They give us a huge amount through the example of their faith. Their steadfastness, their resoluteness, and their determination to carry on in the face of adversity inspire us. One big challenge is that the Christian community is a minority, making up just over one per cent of the population.

However, they are a strong minority, and the Church leads many good initiatives there. There are significant economic challenges. Many work in tourism and rely on pilgrimage to the Holy Sites, so unemployment is very high at the moment.

Because of the political situation, there are social challenges as well. One thing that Christians of the Holy Land often say to us is “don’t forget us”. They still talk about how, after the Second Intifada, the Lieutenancy of England and Wales was the first to return to stand alongside the Christians. It’s difficult to appreciate just how much simply being there with them helps support them.

Every summer, our lieutenancy organises for seminarians from Beit Jala in Bethlehem to come to England for pastoral experience. This process has built a bond between us and parish priests out there.

How has the order responded to the increase in violence in the region?

We have supported an international appeal for humanitarian aid. One of the things you will notice about Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is that when he speaks about the Holy Land it is with great emotion and intelligence – but always without rancour. He does not apportion blame, but talks of the way in which aid is needed.

I heard him speak before Christmas. He explained that there will be a great need for orphanages, and he said something that haunted me: “We have got to rethink the Church of the Holy Land.” When you talk to someone like him, who has daily experience of the violence that is taking place, it motivates people to pray more and give more.

This year the Lieutenancy of England and Wales will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Are there any particular events planned?

The big event is that, for the first time ever for this Lieutenancy, we will be visited by Cardinal Pizzaballa. He will preach at an investiture Mass on Saturday 30 November, in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, and also at our Thanksgiving Mass in Westminster Cathedral the following day. His presence and preaching will be the highlights of our celebrations.

What can readers do to support Christians in the Holy Land through the EOHSJ?

They can pray, which is the best support of all. Also, not to forget the Christians in the Holy Land and to hold them in prayer is hugely important.

People can contribute alms, and they can also get to know more about our work by visiting our website: eohsj.org.uk. The more that our work is publicised, the more people can decide on their own level of support. They can also attend our biennial ball, which supports the charitable, cultural and social activities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has made the need for assistance increasingly urgent. The next one will take place on 12 October, at the historic Gladstone Library in London.

RELATED: Cardinal Pizzaballa: For Christians in Gaza, the great temptation is to look for a better future elsewhere

To sign up for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre’s biennial Jerusalem Ball in October, visit jerusalemball.org.uk.

Photo: Backdropped by the golden dome of the Rock Mosque, pilgrims carry palm branches during the Palm Sunday procession from Mt. Olives into Jerusalem’s Old City, 9 April 2006. (Photo credit GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images.)

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