Tag: Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

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.

Serving our brothers and sisters in New Haven

Today, Saturday, April 5, was our monthly cooking for our friends at the Amistad Catholic Worker (New Haven). Members of Communion & Liberation CT, the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area and Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in CT prepared a nutritionally dense food. Our day together as friends gives meaning to our lives.

As Msgr Luigi Giussani wrote in his brief piece, “Meaning of Charitable Work,” par. 1:

Above all, our very nature requires us to be interested in others. When there is something beautiful within us we desire to communicate it to others. When we see others who are worse off than we are, we desire to help them with something of ours. This need is so original, so natural, that it is within us before we are conscious of it. We call it the law of existence. We do charitable work to satisfy this need.

I’ve named our group The Holloway Outreach 1 to honor the Shakespeare Lady, Margaret Holloway who died a few years ago and who lived with mental illness and was homeless.

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 g​iven to ​the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, the Holy Fathe​r, 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.