By Clay Hoffman
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has a proud history in the Church, and a legacy that continues to the present day.
In 1099 A.D., Knight Godfrey de Bouillion led the first Jerusalem Crusaders in defense of the Holy Land and, in the process, founded the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Today, nine centuries later, this papal order is a global organization with members living in countries around the world, all united in their support of Christianity in the Holy Land.
The Equestrian Order’s Western Lieutenancy is comprised of hundreds of Knights and Dames living throughout the American Southwest and Hawaii, including the Diocese of San Diego.
It 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 supporting the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Members dedicate themselves to personal sanctification, fidelity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and service to the Christian community in Israel and Palestine.
Bishop Michael Pham, Auxiliary Bishops Ramon Bejarano and Felipe Pulido, and Cardinal Robert W. McElroy are all members of the Equestrian Order.
The Area Councillor for San Diego is Dame Patricia Garczynski, who was installed in her position in October of 2024.
“We are called to love and serve the Lord,” explained Her Excellency Dame Margaret Romano, Lieutenant of the Western Lieutenancy. “As members of the (Equestrian Order), we do this by our acts, helping our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Where Jesus walked, we walk, following in His footsteps, bringing His message of love and hope.”
For many years, the Western Lieutenancy has helped underwrite a variety of ministries aimed at supporting daily life and alleviating suffering in the Holy Land. They include orphanages, schools, homes for the elderly, small family businesses, the training of seminarians, and Bethlehem University.
However, the Equestrian Order’s mission expanded dramatically on Oct. 7, 2023. On that day, the terrorist group Hamas launched a brutal multi-front attack on Israel, originating in the Gaza Strip and extending northward. It was the first invasion of Israeli territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, with the current death toll in the tens of thousands.
While support is still needed for the Equestrian Order’s aforementioned ministries, providing humanitarian aid to the victims of the current Israeli-Hamas War has become a primary goal of the Western Lieutenancy. In response, the Peace and Mercy Crusade was created, with the objective of raising $1 million to support urgent needs, such as food, housing, utilities and medicine.
In addition to helping with day-to-day needs, the Western Lieutenancy is also prioritizing the funding of education, knowing that keeping the schools of the Latin Patriarchate open is critical to any recovery.
As part of the Order’s efforts to increase the sanctification of its members, a number of events are held in San Diego, including Advent and Lenten retreats, First Monday rosaries, a mid-year meeting, and other gatherings. Each October, the annual meeting of the entire Western Lieutenancy is held, with the 2025 edition scheduled to take place in Hawaii. Knights and Dames are asked to consider supporting the Order’s humanitarian works and, when conditions in the Holy Land allow it, make a spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
For more information, visit eohsjwesternusa.org.
Clay Hoffman, KC*HS, is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, in which he holds the rank of Knight Commander with Star of the Holy Sepulchre.
