Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

St John and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

The Latin Church today recalls the liturgical memory of the great and holy apostle and evangelist, John. He’s also referred in sacred Scripture as the Beloved Disciple. In art we see the young John laying his head on the chest of Our Savior –more than a mere metaphor, it is what every follower of Jesus ought to do, or aspire to do. John’s Gospel speaks eloquently of God’s love for humanity and portrays salvation in and through Jesus in a different light than the synoptics.

I recommended today as a day to pray for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem through the intercession of St John not because he is directly connected with the Order but precisely because what is mentioned above, but also because “in Your poverty we might become rich…” [Ambon Prayer]. We hear this theological datum, God became poor for our sake, but do we believe it? There is wisdom here.

The point I am trying to make here is that our lives –seen as a whole– is to have a space for Christ Jesus in our hearts and minds. After all, we are to practice the presence of God! When you and I make room for Jesus, He doesn’t just show up; He transforms the space He’s given. When you and I make room for Christ, He brings peace to our chaos. Therefore, let’s make room for the miracle, and you’ll be amazed at what God will do!

Connecting St John with the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is an opportunity to discover what our vocation and mission is in the Order for the sake of the Kingdom and the salvation of all people in Christ crucified and risen.

Image: Nectarius Kuluksin (—1679), John the Evangelist in Silence, (tripping on wooden panel, 1679), 109 x 85 cm. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Order of the Holy Sepulchre at the November meeting

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.

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 is a feast day for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It’s the dedication day.

As a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with those who claim the Basilica as their own, near and far. It is an example of our how the Catholic Faith is incarnational.

Blessed be God!

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.