The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem—CT Section, met for Sunday Mass and a festive lunch at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury, CT.
It was the first annual Msgr. John J. Bevins Memorial Mass and Lunch.
Category: Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Enrique Shaw and Gertrude Barber
Since we had the canonization of Bartolo Longo on October 19, the first layman of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to be so recognized, I wondered who are the others. It turns out we have two other laypeople be studied for canonization: Venerable Servant of God Enrique Ernesto Shaw (Argentina) and the Servant of God Gertrude Shaw (Erie, PA, USA).
Here is what I can find on Enrique Shaw: he was a holy business man and that Pope Francis approved of his cause. Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre wrote on Shaw here. More to come on Shaw.
But on Barber we know:
Born September 16, 1911
Becomes a Dame of the Holy Sepulchre in 1991
Becomes a Dame Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1995
Becomes a Dame Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre in 1997.
Dies April 29 2000
Cause for canonization opened in the Erie Diocese in December 1991.
The edict opening the Cause was displayed in St. Peter Cathedral in December, 2019; approval from the Vatican, which issued a “Nihil Obstat” to indicate that no obstacles “stand in the way” of the cause proceeding; and a presentation and vote by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. The group of more than 200 active and retired U.S. bishops approved the advancement of Dr. Barber’s cause after a presentation at their annual Fall Plenary session on Nov. 12, 2024 in Baltimore, MD.
Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Gertrude A. Barber
Merciful Father,
You guided your servant, Gertrude Barber,
in bringing hope to children and families who faced
the often overwhelming challenges of living with autism and disabilities,
while inspiring us to recognize all individuals as people of God.
We know you hear our prayers as we gather in Your name.
Through her intercession, please grant the intention
I ask in Jesus’ name (state your intention,)
if it be in accordance with Your Divine Will.
If it is in Your design that Gertrude be glorified by the Church,
so as to further her extraordinary mission, show us Your will.
Grant us the grace to hear your answer and commit ourselves to take up her
cause by the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
Imprimatur: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. , Bishop of Erie , 11 December 2019.
Those of us in the EOHSJ ought to pray for the advancement of these causes of sanctity.
Mass of Thanksgiving for Bartolo Longo’s canonization
The Connecticut Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem gave thanks and praise for the canonization of Bartolo Longo.
Saint Bartolo Longo, a layman, husband, ex-priest of Satan, third Order Dominican and member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
The biography of Longo shows us that he dedicated himself to justice concerns, founding schools, orphanages, and charitable institutions for the children of prisoners. His life, interestingly, reminds us of the Byzantine Saint Cyprian (October 2), who was also a demonic worshipper, who sent demons to seduce the holy virgin Justa. When the demons were repulsed by her faith, he repented, renounced the magical arts and burnt his books. He became a bishop and martyr.
A relic of Saint Bartolo was available for veneration.
Saint Bartolo Longo, pray for us.
Order of the Holy Sepulchre invests new members
On Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem invested new members into the Order particularly for the Connecticut Section. We have 7 new members who accepted a new vocation to serve God, Church, and our least brothers and sisters.
Congratulations and prayers for:
William H. Atwood, Diocese of Bridgeport
Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, Archdiocese of Hartford
Jorge Chevere, Archdiocese of Hartford
Father Michael J. Dolan, Archdiocese of Hartford
Bishop Richard F. Reidy, Diocese of Norwich (transferred to CT due to his appointment as bishop)
Robert Niedbala, Diocese of Norwich
Mona Ann Niedbala, Diocese of Norwich
Order of the Holy Sepulchre prays Vespers
Tonight the Connecticut Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem –Eastern Lieutenancy sung Vespers for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at St John’s Chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Meriden. With Vespers we also had Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of the relic of the Holy Cross About 20 members attended.
Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, presided and preached assisted by Deacon Confessol Rodriquez. Msgr John Bevins, Fr Peter J. Langevin, Fr John Mariano were present.
The Sisters were extraordinary in the preparation, their presence and friendship.
It was an extraordinary grace.
Photo credit: Luis Fuentes.
Dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre
Today, July 15th is Dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
A day of importance to those of us who belong to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The dedication of the original church happened in 1149.
We commemorate not merely the dedication burial place but a liturgical remembrance of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It deepens the our understanding of the Paschal Mystery (the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus). In his homily today, Franciscan Father Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, said, “Today we celebrate a feast that is much more than a historical commemoration. It is a living, current celebration that speaks to us today, here, in the heart of our Holy Land.” Further, Faltas said, “This tomb is empty today. And that empty tomb cries out to the world: Christ is risen!”
Thus, the Holy Sepulchre is not only a place of memory, it is the symbol (read: reality) of Christ’s resurrection. Hence, it is a sign of hope.
Solemn Vespers for Laetare Sunday 2025
The CT North East Area of the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem met Sunday, March 30, for Solemn Vespers at St Monica’s Church (St Ambrose Parish), Northford. Archbishop Leonard Blair, emeritus archbishop of Hartford and a member of both Orders presided and preached.
The evening was attended by parishioners of St Monica’s which was hosted by Father Robert L. Turner, KHS, pastor. The sacred music was beautiful and the reception was a nicely done.
Blessed Bartolo Longo slated to be canonized
Great news!
Yesterday, 24 February, during an audience given to the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, the Holy Father, Pope Francis authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree that Blessed Bartolo Longo, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, will be canonized.
Blessed Bartolo is the first layman and member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to be canonized.
He was a lawyer, ex-Satanist, Dominican tertiary, and founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompei.
Blessed Bartolo, pray for us.
Order of the Holy Sepulchre in CT opens Holy Door in Norwich
Members of the Connecticut Section of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem met earlier today at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, CT, to open the Holy Door for the Jubilee year very recently inaugurated by Pope Francis.
The Most Reverend Juan Miguel Betancourt celebrated and preached the Mass.
The witness of the EOHSJ brings alive the fact of the Lord’s Resurrection and one’s new life in the Lord. The jubilee year is meant to convey and to put into practice in the Christian life the reality of the Paschal Mystery: the Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus.
Gaudete Sunday Vespers
The Dominican nuns of Our Lady of Grace Monastery welcomed the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area and the Fraternity of St. Dominic for Solemn Vespers for Gaudete Sunday.
Chaplains to the two Orders, Fr Peter J. Langevin and Fr Joe MacNeill sat in choir.
Fr Brian Mulchay, OP, presided and preached.