lenten Message

Lent, as a forty day preparation for Easter is firstmentioned as an established practice in thedecrees of the Council of Nice, 325. The sacred

season calls us to fast, prayer and almsgiving. Since theSecond Vatican Council the Rite of Christian Initiationof Adults serves as a liturgical and catecheticalpreparation for those entering into full communionwith the Church. For all believers it is a period offeringextraordinary opportunities for spiritual growth.

There is, of course the popular association of Lentwith personal sacrifice or “giving up” of somethinggood and ordinarily attractive. There is also a growingemphasis on increasing our works of charity and gooddeeds.

The Mass prayers of Lent are especially rich anddate back to the earliest days of the Season. Might weturn to them, therefore as a prayerful opportunity toseek from God that which Lent should mean for us.

For example: Grant, O Lord:… that as we take up battle against spiritual

evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint

... look with compassion on our weakness andensure us your protection

… that we may grow in understanding of theriches hidden in Christ.

The petitions each day are many and profound. Inmaking a special effort to arrive for Mass a little earlierduring Lent, we might open the missalette to the Collect, the Prayer over the gifts or to thePrayer after Communion to enrich our personal prayer during that Mass and during theweek that follows.

Edwin, Cardinal O’Brien

Reflections of the Grand Master

Lent allows us to spiritually prepareour hearts to receive the grace ofEaster. It is a journey of interiorconversion that is well symbolizedby the Way of the Cross that theKnights and Dames of the Orderwalk on the streets of Jerusalemduring the pilgrimage to the HolyLand.

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N° 49 WINTER 2018

@granmagistero.oessh @GM_oessh

ordinis equestris sancti sepulchri hierosolymitani

jerusalem cross

Newsletter

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The Order in Union with the Universal Church

The Order in Union withthe Universal Church

Proceedings of the Grand Magisterium

The Order and the Holy Land

The Life of the Lieutenancies

c o n t e n t s

RESPECTING THE STATUS QUO OF JERUSALEM IIJERUSALEM IS A TREASURE FOR HUMANITY V

HOMAGE TO CARDINAL MONTEZEMOLO,ASSESSOR OF HONOR OF THE ORDER VI

MSGR. GIUSEPPE LAZZAROTTO:“MY HEART IS ALWAYS IN JERUSALEM” VII

THE GRAND MASTER’S AGENDA IXNEW LIEUTENANT OF THE ORDER

FOR FRANCE IS INVESTED IN ROME XTHE VISIT OF THE FORMER COLLABORATORS

OF THE NEW GOVERNOR GENERAL XI

COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CUSTODY,THE LATIN PATRIARCHATE ANDTHE ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE XII

SPOTLIGHT ON TWO INITIATIVES FUNDEDBY THE LATIN PATRIARCHATE THANKS TOTHE REGULAR MONTHLY AID OF THE ORDER XIV

BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND EASTERIN THE HOLY LAND XV

MSGR. GIRELLI, NEW APOSTOLIC DELEGATEFOR JERUSALEM AND PALESTINEAND NUNCIO IN ISRAEL XVI

EDUCATION, KEY TO HOPE IN THE HOLY LAND XVII

TWO INITIATIVES OF THE LIEUTENANCYFOR SWITZERLAND XVIII

KNIGHTS AND DAMES OF BRAZILIN THE HOLY LAND XIX

50 YEARS OF THE LIEUTENANCYFOR NORTHERN ITALY XX

IMPRESSUM GRAND MAGISTERIUM OFTHE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY

SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM00120 VATICAN CITY

E-mail: comunicazione@oessh.va

On Wednesday December 6, PopeFrancis launched an appeal duringthe general audience, “that everyone’s

effort respect the status quo of the city, inconformity with the pertinent United NationsResolutions”, stating that “Jerusalem is aunique city, sacred to Jews, Christians andMuslims, in which the Holy Places arevenerated by the respective religions, andwhich has a special vocation for peace”.

The following day, in a press release, theGrand Master of the Equestrian Order of theHoly Sepulchre of Jerusalem – CardinalEdwin O’Brien – shared “the deep concern

expressed by the Holy Father and countlessother religious and civic leaders for thepossible consequences of any unilateraldecision that might alter the equilibrium ofthe Holy City”. He also recalled “the necessitythat all initiatives within the Land thatcontains the places of worship of the threemajor monotheistic religions, the HolySepulchre, the Wailing Wall and the Mosqueof Omar be the result of a peaceful dialogueamong all the interested parties”.

Any action that violates the status ofJerusalem has global repercussions, affectingin particular the Arab-Muslim universe,

Respecting the status quoof Jerusalem

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closely linked to one of the oldest Islamicsanctuaries, the Dome of the Rock.Therefore, on Friday December 8,demonstrations were held on all thecontinents, and already it seems that newstrategic alliances are being drawn up on theglobal scene. The big European countrieshave insisted on respect for the UN SecurityCouncil resolutions, warning the US federaladministration about the risk of dangerousdestabilization.

The UN General Assembly has reaffirmedthe principle of the internationalization ofJerusalem since 1948 and – taking intoaccount historical reality – the SecurityCouncil emphasizes that it will not recognizeany changes to the 1967 borders, includingEast Jerusalem, where the Old City islocated, inhabited by 300,000 Palestiniansbut annexed by Israel.

The Palestinians received the support of alarge majority of the UN General AssemblyMember States on Thursday December 21,with the approval of a resolution declaringthe American decision on Jerusalem “nulland void”. Fourteen of the fifteen memberstates of the UN Security Council hadalready tried to condemn the US choice on

A HEARTFELT APPEALExcerpt from Pope Francis’ address to

the Diplomatic Corps - January 8, 2018

“Ithink in particular of Israelis andPalestinians, in the wake of the tensions of

recent weeks. The Holy See, while expressingsorrow for the loss of life in recent clashes,renews its pressing appeal that every initiativebe carefully weighed so as to avoid exacerbatinghostilities, and calls for a common commitmentto respect, in conformity with the relevant UnitedNations Resolutions, the status quo ofJerusalem, a city sacred to Christians, Jews andMuslims. Seventy years of confrontation makemore urgent than ever the need for a politicalsolution that allows the presence in the regionof two independent states within internationallyrecognized borders. Despite the difficulties, awillingness to engage in dialogue and to resumenegotiations remains the clearest way toachieving at last a peaceful coexistencebetween the two peoples.”

The Communications Office of theGrand Magisterium was honored to

be represented on December 19,2017 at the audience granted by the

Pope to the King of Jordan. Thefraternal and serene atmosphere

during the meeting between Francisand Abdallah, who exchanged like

two friends, touched those who werethere. The Hashemite sovereign gave

the Holy Father a beautiful paintingrepresenting the holy places inJerusalem that he traditionally

protects. They both care for favouringa wise consultation about the Holy

City, a treasure for humanity andworld heritage of which no one can

claim ownership. May our ferventprayer continue supporting the

diplomatic action of the successorof Peter at the service of peace

and interreligious dialoguein the Middle East.

Monday, December 18, then blocked by aWashington veto.

“While winds of war blow on the world”,�

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Pope Francis transmitted in his own way – inhis 2017 Christmas message – an appeal tothe international community in favour of aconcerted effort in the Holy Land. Heindicated “the sign of the Child”, which leadsus to “recognize him in the faces of children”,alluding to those for whom – just as for Jesus– “there is no place in the Inn” (Luke 2,7).“We see Jesus in the children of the MiddleEast who continue to suffer because ofgrowing tensions between Israelis andPalestinians” he said. “On this festive day, letus ask the Lord for peace for Jerusalem andfor all the Holy Land. Let us pray that thewill to resume dialogue may prevail betweenthe parties and that a negotiated solution canfinally be reached, one that would allow thepeaceful coexistence of two States withinmutually agreed and internationallyrecognized borders. May the Lord alsosustain the efforts of all those in theinternational community inspired by goodwill to help that afflicted land to find, despitegrave obstacles the harmony, justice andsecurity that it has long awaited”.

For our part, let us join in the prayer of thesuccessor of Peter, meditating as often aspossible on the psalms that enhance the “

“A SPECIAL STATUS”Excerpt from the Holy Father’s letterto the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on

the occasion of the Al-AzharInternational Conference in support

of Jerusalem

“The Holy See, for its part, will not cease tocall urgently for a resumption of dialogue

between Israelis and Palestinians for anegotiated solution, aimed at the peacefulcoexistence of two states within the bordersagreed between them and internationallyrecognized, with full respect for the specialnature of Jerusalem, whose meaning goesbeyond any consideration of territorial issues.Only a special status, also internationallyguaranteed, can preserve its identity, the uniquevocation of the place of peace the sacred placesrecall, and its universal value, allowing a futureof reconciliation and hope for the entire region.”

Vatican City State, January 2018

city that is bound firmly together “. Let usinvoke joy for Jerusalem: “May those wholove you prosper! May peace be within yourramparts.“ (Psalm 122).

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Following the declarationsof the US President

regarding the city ofJerusalem, the Church in

the Holy Land did nothesitate to express its

concern about a situationof which it has first hand

experience. Here is anexcerpt from the

communiques issued bythe leaders of the local

Churches of Jerusalem andof the Latin Patriarchate.

Our land is called to be a land ofpeace. Jerusalem, the city of God, is

a city of peace for us and for the world.Unfortunately, though, our holy landwith Jerusalem the Holy city, is today aland of conflict. […] Mr. President, wehave been following, with concern, thereports about the possibility of changinghow the United States understands anddeals with the status of Jerusalem. Weare certain that such steps will yieldincreased hatred, conflict, violence andsuffering in Jerusalem and the HolyLand, moving us farther from the goal ofunity and deeper toward destructivedivision. We ask from you Mr. Presidentto help us all walktowards more love and adefinitive peace, whichcannot be reached withoutJerusalem being for all.[…] The Holy City can beshared and fully enjoyedonce a political processhelps liberate the hearts ofall people, that live withinit, from the conditions ofconflict anddestructiveness that theyare experiencing.

Patriarchs and Headsof Local Churches

in Jerusalem

Bearing in mind a situation of evident conflict andconsidering the rapid changes of the Holy City, we

think that every unilateral solution cannot be considereda solution.Indeed, Jerusalem is a treasure of all humanity. Anyexclusive claim – be it political or religious – is contraryto the city’s own logic. Every citizen of Jerusalem andevery person who comes to it on a visit or pilgrimageshould be placed in a position to perceive andappropriate in some way the message of dialogue,coexistence and respect that the Holy City recalls andthat often we hurt by our behavior. Jerusalem is a citythat must welcome, where spaces must be opened andnot closed. For too long its inhabitants are hostage tothese continuous tensions that distort the character of it.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The voice of young Palestinians

From the University of Bethlehem there have been some reactions tothe United States’ unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of

Israel:

I am frustrated by the politics, but confident that the delicate balancethe different faiths keep in the holy city will prevail. In this sacred place,God is protecting us all.

Ghadeer Khateeb (4th year Muslim student)

Watching a Christian president stand in front of a Christmas tree andannounce that decision was probably the most saddening thing to see.We Christians are supposed to help nations rise and make a change […]His decision affects everyone living in the West Bank, both Christians andMuslims.

Leen Hadweh (3rd year Christian student)

Jerusalem is a treasure for humanity

On November 21, 2017 the funeral wascelebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica byCardinal Giovanni Battista Re, vice

dean of the College of Cardinals, in thepresence of the Grand Master of the Order ofthe Holy Sepulchre, as well as an importantdelegation of Knights led by the GovernorGeneral and by the Lieutenant General. As pertradition, Pope Francis presided over the rite ofthe Ultima Commendatio and the Valedictio atthe end of the celebration. OnOctober 14, 2016, he had visitedCardinal Montezemolo at the“Villa Betania” nursing home,expressing his profound esteem.In a message of condolence, theHoly Father expressed “sincereadmiration” for the cardinal,archpriest emeritus of the papalbasilica of St. Paul Outside theWalls.

The Pope recalled “with gratitude hisgenerous work in the pontificalrepresentations of various countries,especially in Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua,Honduras, Uruguay, Israel and Italy, wherehe dedicated himself to the good of thepeople”. Appointed Apostolic Delegate toJerusalem and Palestine in 1990, he was theauthor of negotiations to normalize relationsbetween the Holy See and Israel, which led to

the 1993 agreement, afterwhich he became thefirst Apostolic Nuncio inIsrael (1994-1998).

As the first archpriestof the papal basilica ofSaint Paul Outside theWalls (2005-2009), hedemonstrated aparticularly intense andcompetent commitmentto “restore spiritualvitality” to this place,reestablishing “a newimpetus to its ecumenicalvocation”, emphasizedFrancis in his message.

With the same purpose, CardinalMontezemolo suggested toBenedict XVI the celebration ofthe Pauline Year (June 2008-June2009) and promoted a scientificinquiry into what tradition heldwas the tomb of the Apostle to theGentiles, which confirmed theauthenticity of the remains.

Homage to Cardinal Montezemolo,Assessor of Honor of the Order

Proceedings of the Grand Magisterium

Son of Giuseppe Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, an Italian army colonelshot at the Fosse Ardeatine on March 24, 1944, by the Nazis; Cardinal

Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo was the first Apostolic Nuncio inIsrael. He died on November 19 in Rome, at the age of 92.

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The dignitaries of the Order in thefront row in St. Peter’s Basilica at thefuneral of the Assessor of Honor who

was the first Apostolic Nuncio in Israel.

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With Pope Francis’ approval,Grand Master Cardinal EdwinO’Brien has appointed Msgr.

Giuseppe Lazzarotto Assessor of theOrder of the Holy Sepulchre. Theposition was previously held by Msgr.Antonio Franco, who had asked to bereplaced having reached the age ofretirement. The new Assessor – who canbe called to replace the Grand Mastershould the latter suffer an impedimentor pass away – served for five years asApostolic Nuncio in Israel and ApostolicDelegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. Hismandate ended in August 2017. Msgr.Lazzarotto knows the Order well, havingbeen a member for about fifteen years.

“I have a visceral love for the Holy Landand its inhabitants,” confided the newAssessor of theOrder, as herecalls his firstexperience in thatland in 1982-1984,when he wassecretary for theApostolicDelegation inJerusalem, after aperiod spent atthe Nunciature inCuba. “Then Iworked for tenyears in Rome, atthe second sectionof the Secretariatof State, forforeign relations,where I met thefuture CardinalPietro Parolin,

who was still a young official” he points out.Like the current Holy See Secretary of State,Monsignor Lazzarotto is originally from theprovince of Vicenza and the birthplaces ofboth men, where the same dialect is spoken,are just a few kilometres distant from eachother.

After Rome, this great Church diplomatwas sent on mission by the Pope as ApostolicNuncio to Iraq and also as the first Nuncio toJordan after the famous Oslo agreements of1993 defined relations between Israel andJordan. “Since Jordan belonged to theterritory of the Latin Patriarchate ofJerusalem, I had numerous contacts with theOrder of the Holy Sepulchre,” he saysaffably. “The situation in Iraq was difficult,because of international sanctions, butChristians freely lived their faith in peace,”he adds. He was soon to witness of a series

Msgr. Giuseppe Lazzarotto:“My heart is always in Jerusalem”A great Church diplomat at the service of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Msgr. Giuseppe Lazzarotto and his predecessor, Msgr. Antonio Franco, greet theHoly Father, Pope Francis, during a special audience.

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of tragic Western decisions that shook theMiddle East and forced millions of refugeesof diverse confessions to flee.

Six years later, Monsignor Lazzarotto leftfor Ireland, where the local Lieutenancywanted him to enter the Order. The diplomawas signed by Cardinal Carlo Furno – GrandMaster of the time – who had been aProfessor to the new member at thePontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. The thenArchbishop of Armagh – future CardinalSean Brady – celebrated the Investiture.

During his seven years in Ireland, the newmember of the Order established beautifulspiritual friendships with Knights andDames. Then it was time to leave again, forAustralia, where hecontinued to care formembers of theOrder, especially atthe annual meetingorganized in thefederal capitalCanberra on PalmSunday.

He describes hisgreat and joyfulsurprise to berecalled to Jerusalemsix years ago, and how he made his solemnentry into the Holy Sepulchre on November25, 2012, the eve of the entry to the HolySepulchre also of Cardinal O’Brien, who hadjust been appointed to the office of GrandMaster by Pope Benedict XVI. “I met theGrand Master of the Order on that occasion,without imagining that one day I wouldbecome his right-hand man in Rome”,commented Msgr. Lazzarotto, now fullyavailable to assume the role of Assessor. Infact, he lives in Rome, not far from theGrand Magisterium, in a house whereseveral retired nuncios continue to offertheir important contribution to the Holy See.

His episcopal motto, “In virtute Spiritus” –which can be translated “in the power of theSpirit” – evokes the baptism of Christ in theRiver Jordan, as well as the mission of thefirst disciples who followed the Lamb of God

with boldness and courage until gift of hislife for all men, in Jerusalem.

“Today – in a complicated internationalcontext concerning the question of Jerusalem– apostolic courage consists in fostering abilateral dialogue, with the participation ofthe international community”, emphasizesthe Assessor of the Order, an expert advocateof the position of the Holy See on this issue:“The two-state solution, respecting the statusquo and 1967 borders.“ ”Everything is linkedto Jerusalem – the religious, social andpolitical aspect – and therefore the utmostdelicacy is required, in order to preserve thebalance and the sacred character of the holycity for three great monotheistic religions.”

When he wasNuncio in Israel,Monsignor Lazzarottoworked hard on theagreement betweenthis country and theHoly See regardingthe places of worshipand the taxation ofreligious institutesthat have acommercial activity, aplanned continuation

of the fundamental agreement signed in1993.

“This desired final agreement is almostconcluded”, the diplomat observes, “and willrepresent a fundamental guarantee for thelocal Church”, as in Palestine, where such anagreement was already concluded in 2015.

More generally, Archbishop Lazzarottofeels that his heart always remains inJerusalem, a city that exercises “an incredibleattraction” on those who fall in love with it.“Our mission – as members of the Order –consists in helping the Christiancommunities everywhere to live thisluminous appeal, this special spiritual bondwith a land chosen by God for His plan ofsalvation which continues today and ofwhich we are called to be joyful channels ofcompassion and unity”.

François Vayne

‘‘Today – in a complicatedinternational contextconcerning the question ofJerusalem – apostolic courageconsists in fostering a bilateraldialogue, with theparticipation of theinternational community’’

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The Grand Master’s Agenda

The Knightsand Dames ofMexico aroundthe GrandMaster on theoccasion of theInvestiture intheir countrylast December.

At the beginning of December the GrandMaster, accompanied by the LieutenantGeneral Agostino Borromeo, the GovernorGeneral Leonardo Visconti di Modrone andthe Vice Governor General Patrick Powers,went to Mexico to preside over theInvestiture of 18 new members of the Orderin this increasingly lively Lieutenancy.

During this Lent, Cardinal O’Brien hasalready planned to go to Investitures inLoreto (March 9-10) and Copenhagen (March17).

The Grand Master is pleased to sharein the joy of the Lieutenancies forthe Investitures and to preside overthese ceremonies. Lieutenancies wi-shing to invite him for this purposeare kindly asked to submit their re-quest to Cardinal O’Brien’s Secreta-riat (gm@oessh.va) with about a yearand a half advance notice to allowfor the necessary organization.

CONSULTANovember 13-16, 2018 - Rome

Every five years, all Lieutenants and Magistral Delegatesgather around the Cardinal Grand Master and theGrand Magisterium to discuss the great questions

of the Order’s mission and life.

We already accompany the participants in this historicmeeting with our prayer!

During the month of November,Cardinal Edwin O’Brien visited theLieutenancy of Gibraltar where he

presided over an Investiture ceremony onNovember 18. A few days before hisdeparture, the Grand Master had made one ofhis habitual visits to Cardinal Andrea CorderoLanza di Montezemolo, Assessor of Honor ofthe Order, during which he celebrated Massin his apartment. The same weekend CardinalMontezemolo died and Cardinal O’Brien,together with the highest offices of the Order,full of recognition for the service rendered bythe Assessor of Honor, attended the funeralon November 21.

On November 24, His Eminence celebratedthe Investiture of Msgr. Andrew McLeanCummings and Father Michael Sedor at theCongregation for the Oriental Churches in thepresence of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri,Prefect, and of all the staff of theCongregation with whom the Order ofteninterfaces and collaborates within the contextof ROACO (Reunion of Aid Agencies forOriental Churches).

Born March 22, 1949, Jean-MarieFaugère, is a committed Christian,husband and father of five children. A

military General (second section), the newLieutenant of the Order for France was astudent of the Military Academy of Saint-Cyr(“Général Gilles” class, 1969-1971). He servedin troop corps (armored artillery, paratrooper,military intelligence services), as well as inthe central staff in Paris, at operational and

regional levels. He obtained a license fromthe Military Academy, a diploma from ENSTAand undertook specialized courses in nucleararmaments.

General Faugère ended his officer’s careeras an Inspector general of the army. He waspresident of the G2S (think tank of expertsmade up of army officers, second section),president of the Federation of French armyCatholic chaplain association, as well ascounsellor for the defense of the THALESGroup.

The responsibilities of leadership andcommand he has taken in the military – alongwith the human experience thus acquired –will help the new Lieutenant for France ofthe Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchreof Jerusalem guide the action of Knights andDames, serving all the inhabitants of an areawhere world peace is largely decided.

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New Lieutenant of the Orderfor France is invested in Rome

The Grand Master, Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, welcomed the proposalby the Archbishop of Tours and head ad interim of the Lieutenancyfor France of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Monsignor Bernard-

Nicolas Aubertin, to appoint a new Lieutenant in the person ofGeneral Jean-Marie Faugère. His Investiture took place during a

solemn ceremony at the Palazzo della Rovere on January 15.

Investiture in Rome ofGeneral Jean-Marie

Faugère, officiallynamed new Lieutenant

of the Order of the HolySepulchre for France.

The ceremony – held atPalazzo della Rovere –

was presided over byCardinal Edwin O’Brien,

Grand Master, in thepresence of the highestauthorities of the Order,as well as an important

delegation of theLieutenancy for France,

led by Msgr. Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin.

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The guests were his formercollaborators, in particular for theorganization of the G7 summit in

Taormina, Sicily, in May 2017, before theAmbassador took office as the new GovernorGeneral of the Order. During this friendlyreception, most of the young Italian Stateofficials present, led by the ministerplenipotentiary Alessandro Modiano, head ofthe delegation of the Italian presidency of theG7, were able to discover the mission and theaction of the Order in the Holy Land, alsoexpressing in some cases the desire to knowmore. Bonds created in this way undoubtedlyfoster better awareness of this pontificalinstitution.

Here we publish a testimony given on theoccasion of the gathering.

“It was a real honor to be hosted byAmbassador Visconti di Modrone at Palazzodella Rovere, not only for the beauty of thevenue that he generously wanted to sharewith us but also, and above all, because itgave us the opportunity to meet again. TheAmbassador was a kind and attentive host,just as he had accustomed us during the G7experience, when he was a mentor for all ofus, always available and ready to advise andguide us. I hope that there will be otheropportunities to see each other again, toremember the good times spent together andto create new ones. As a graduate in OrientalLanguages and Civilizations, and given myparticular interest in Arab-Muslim culture, itis a delight for me to learn about the Order ofthe Holy Sepulchre and what it does at theservice of interreligious and interculturaldialogue. This meeting awakened in me thedesire to go and visit the Holy Land.Following the example of the members of theOrder, each of us can be a mediator in logicof peace.”

Viola Giangiordano

The visit of the former collaboratorsof the new Governor General

At the beginning of December, about one hundred peoplefrom the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministerswere welcomed to Palazzo della Rovere by Ambassador

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone.

The GovernorGeneral welcomed

his formercollaborators in

organizing the G7,receiving a gift thatrepresents the rich

diversity of Italianculture.

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The Order and the Holy Land

FatherPatton,what were

the historicalties between theCustody and theOrder of theHoly Sepulchrebefore therestoration ofthe LatinPatriarchate,and how wouldyou nowconsider the collaboration with theKnights and Dames who come onpilgrimage to the Holy Land?The historical ties with the Knights of the

Holy Sepulchre date back to 1474 when, bypontifical institution, the Custos of the HolyLand received the faculty to create theKnights. Since then, an institutionalrelationship has been developed downthrough the centuries with various forms ofcollaboration, especially in favour of theHoly Sites in general and of the HolySepulchre in particular. The last Knightinvested by the Custos was Patriarch Valergahimself in 1848. From that moment on, moredirect relations have been consolidatedbetween the Order and the LatinPatriarchate.

Today, the relationship between theCustody and the Knights is inspired by aspirit of fraternal collaboration: whenever

they make theirsolemn entranceinto the HolySepulchre, orvisit Jerusalemand ask to meetthe Custos, orwhen they wantto offer theirhelp to supportsome projects infavour of theworks of theCustody of the

Holy Land, also in memory of their originsand their original bond with the Custody andfor the benefit of local Christians.

The Custody coordinated the pastoralactivities of the Latin Church in theHoly Land for several centuries. Afterthe restoration of the LatinPatriarchate in 1847, how did therelations between these twoecclesiastical institutions evolve?Until the year 1516, the Custody could not

undertake other forms of apostolate exceptpresence in the Shrines, prayer, liturgicalcelebrations, welcoming and caring for thepilgrims hosted in its own sites. Followingthe change of the regime in the region, whenthe Mamluks were replaced by the Ottomanswho were to a certain extent more tolerant,the friars of the Custody commencedpastoral activity with local Christian

Governor General Leonardo Visconti di Modronespeaking in Jerusalem with Father Francesco Patton,Custos of the Holy Land.

Collaboration between theCustody, the Latin Patriarchate and

the Order of the Holy SepulchreInterview with the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton

published in full on our website www.oessh.va.

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populations. Beginning in 1555, the first stepswere made in the return to the communion ofthe Catholic Church of local non-CatholicChristians, and hence the formation of thefirst “Latin” parish communities around theSanctuaries. This growing activity over timeenabled Blessed Pope Pius IX, in 1847, tocreate a Latin diocese in the Holy Land,which took the form of a “reestablishment” or“restoration” of the “Latin Patriarchate ofJerusalem” (the title of the Patriarch existedfrom the Council of Chalcedon, and at thetime of the Crusades it was resumed andsurvived after their defeat only in Europe asan episcopal title in partibus infidelium. In1847 it was “returned to the See”).

In 1627, the Congregation of PropagandaFide considered the Custody of the Holy Landa true mission in partibus infidelium, declaringit directly subject to its jurisdiction andrecognizing to the Friars Minor parish rightsin all places where convents and hostels werefounded.

Inevitably, the creation of the new Catholicterritorial circumscriptions, especially thoseof the Latin rite, within the territory of theCustody’s Mission, initially gave rise to some

uncertainty as to the precise relationshipbetween the respective jurisdictions, whichwere dealt with in several successive decreesof the Holy See.

These issues have now been clarified: inthe apostolate among the local faithful, theFriars of the Custody serve the ParticularChurches, similar to the religious whoexercise their apostolate everywhere in theCatholic orb; while the competence of theCustody of the Holy Places remains proper tothe Custody who always safeguards theseSites on behalf of the whole of Catholicity.The Custody still carries out pastoralactivities in 29 parishes and in numerouschurches, chapels and institutions. Although,as with the creation of all ParticularChurches, the pastoral care of those parishesentrusted to religious is subject to thegovernment of the Ordinary of theecclesiastical territory, according to canonlaw.

Today, after 170 years of experience andmaturity, we can say that we live our mutualrelation in a spirit of maximum respect forrespective tasks and mutual cooperation,especially in the pastoral field.

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The Grand Magisterium of theOrder sends monthly sums ofmoney to the Latin Patriarchate

for institutional expenses (on average€€ 600,000 per month) – in addition towhat has beenagreed for specificannual projects.Can you give ussome concreteexamples of thispermanentfunding, describinghow this helpcontributespractically andevery day tosupporting thewhole diocese ofJerusalem?Since its restoration

in the 19th century, theLatin Patriarchate ofJerusalem benefits from thespiritual and financial supportof the Equestrian Order of theHoly Sepulchre. Today, mostof the institutional expensesof this Diocese are mostlyfinanced with the help of theOrder. As samples, we canhighlight the running cost ofthe 42 Latin schools, theclergy medical expenses andOur Lady of Peace Center inJordan, which takes care ofhandicapped children andIraqi refugees. I would also

Spotlight on two initiatives fundedby the Latin Patriarchate thanks to

the regular monthly aid of the Order

like to underline the support given to twoimportant institutes, among many others ofwhich we will have the opportunity to speakagain.

First of all, the Taybeh retirement homefor the elderly. Created in 2002 inthe Christian village of Taybeh, theBeit Afram House welcomes 26 oldpeople from several places inPalestine. These people come fromvery poor or broken families, theirarrival here is a real tear for themand their children. In this house,they find proper medical care, awarm environment and a spiritualaccompaniment, thanks inparticular to the Brazilianmissionaries living there. The

A Christmas party with the children ofGaza, organized by the catecheticaloffice of the Latin Patriarchate.

Sami El-Yousef, administrative director of the LatinPatriarchate of Jerusalem, responds to our question.

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The highpoints of the life of the Churchcarry all of us, even more than usual,with our hearts and minds to the Holy

Land, to the precise places where the eventsof the history of salvation took place. DuringAdvent and Lent and during the days ofChristmas and Easter, first Bethlehem thenJerusalem come to life in a very special way.First of all it is good to remember that not allChristians celebrate, for example, Christmason the same day and so, in the richness ofdiversity, they “take advantage” of this toprolong the joyous atmosphere of Christmastime.

This Christmas, the Middle East Council ofChurches proposed aseries of 12 minidocumentaries entitled“Bridges for Bethlehem”(http://mecc.org/bridges-to-bethlehem/) to show howChristmas is celebrated inthe various Churches(Orthodox, Catholic andProtestant) in the MiddleEast. Following this link

you will find the documentary producedwith the help of the Latin Patriarchate ofJerusalem.

Now, as we enter the Lenten season, wecan feel particularly close to all localChristians and pilgrims who every Friday at3pm join the Franciscan friars who walk theVia Dolorosa remembering and meditatingmoments from Christ’s Way of the Cross toGolgotha. The last stations (from the 10th tothe 14th) of the Way are located inside theBasilica of the Holy Sepulchre, so dear tothe members of the Order. Anothertradition of the Latin Patriarchate ofJerusalem during the weeks leading up to

Easter is toconduct a solemnprocession everySaturday insidethe Basilica of theHoly Sepulchre,dwelling on theemblematicplaces of thePassion of OurLord Jesus Christ.

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Between Christmas and Easterin the Holy Land

elderly house is a recognized and vital place.Thanks to the Order, the running cost of thiscenter as well as the care expenses and theaccommodation of the missionaries are not aburden for the House, which is therefore ableto focus on the health and spiritual care.

Furthermore, the catechetical office ofthe Latin Patriarchate. Led by a Rosarysister, this office was created in 1994 in orderto provide the Latin schools and catecheticalcenters throughout the Diocese with diversepedagogical and spiritual supports. We could

mention here the yearly retreat for thecatechists of West Bank and Jerusalem, therecently printed new edition of catechumenalbooks for youth (written by a comity of clerksand laypersons), the organization of Holy sitesof the Diocese for youth groups, and thedesign of educational tools such as apedagogical presentation of the history of theLatin Patriarchate. The cost of all theseactivities is mainly supported by the Order,which therefore directly helps the Church inits spiritual mission.

If you are in the Holy Land in these days, we would invite you to shareyour photos by sending them to comunicazione@oessh.va

Last September Msgr. LeopoldoGirelli was appointed to succeedMsgr. Giuseppe Lazzarotto who

served as a Nuncio in the Holy Landfrom 2012 to 2017. The new ApostolicDelegate for Jerusalem and Palestine andApostolic Nuncio for Israel and Cyprusmade his solemn entrance in the Basilicaof the Holy Sepulchre on December 14,2017. Msgr. Girelli, 64, has previouslyheld senior diplomatic positions as arepresentative of the Holy See in severalAsian countries, particularly inIndonesia, East Timor, Singapore,Malaysia and in Vietnam.

It was at Jaffa Gate where the variousbishops, priests, religious men and women,General Consuls and the faithful welcomedArchbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the newPontifical representative to the Holy Land.After some brief greetings, the processiontowards the Holy Sepulchre started withrhythmic tapping of the Kawas’ staffs.

Once in the Holy Sepulchre, the Custos ofthe Holy Land Fr. Francesco Pattonwelcomed the Nuncio. ArchbishopPierbattista Pizzaballa, ApostolicAdministrator of the Latin Patriarchate, on

the other hand reflected on the significanceof such an entry to the Holy Sepulchrebefore the assuming of any office. “We comehere to make clear to ourselves who weare – said the Archbishop – to see the emptyTomb and to believe, in order to givetestimony and proclaim that Jesus is theLord”. He added, “we come here also to askthe Lord to inspire us and protect ourmission and to bring to Him our unresolveddemands…especially in these days, whenviolence and misunderstandings seem toprevail again, where communities andpeoples apparently refuse to acknowledgethe rights of the other and where the sanctityof the Places of the Scriptures become sourceof division and not places of prayer for allthe peoples.”

The Nuncio then, standing before therenovated Edicule, thanked the bishops,vicars, the different Christian communities,the General Consuls and he also expressedhis warm sentiments to the “brothers andsisters of Muslim and Jewish faiths in theHoly Land, wishing for and with them anincrease of mutual understanding, dialogueand fraternity”.

(Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

Msgr. Girelli, new ApostolicDelegate for Jerusalem and

Palestine and Nuncio in Israel

The new Apostolic Delegate for Jerusalem and Palestine, Nuncio in Israel and Cyprus, on the day of hissolemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre.

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“We have come to the Holy Landto meet its youth, listen to theirvoices, and pray for justice and

peace. Despite the continuing destructiveconflict and the divisive approach of so manyin power, our faith in God gives hope for thebetter future sought by young people here.[...] It is young people who are daring topursue justice and challenge the divisionsthat have been forced upon them. It isschools and youth projects that are breakingdown barriers and equipping people to buildtolerance. It is young volunteers, such asthose working with The Arche in Bethlehem,Beit Emmaus in Qubeibeh, and religiousorders in Gaza, who are demonstratinghumanity in this wounded society.“

These words are part of the final statementby the Holy Land Coordination at the end ofits 2018 visit which took place from January13 to 18. The Holy Land Coordination wasestablished at the end of the twentiethcentury at the invitation of the Holy See withthe aim of visiting and supporting the localChristian communities of the Holy Land andconsists of bishops from all over Europe,North America and South Africa.

The theme of education and itscontribution to building apeaceful future was theguiding thread that led thedelegation meetings. OnJanuary 14, the group wentto Gaza to see the situationin this territoryparticularly affected by theconflict for themselves.

The schools of the LatinPatriarchate of Jerusalemwere chief among thestructures visited by thedelegation. The DirectorGeneral of the schools of

the Latin Patriarchate in Palestine and Israel,Father Iyad Twal, demonstrated theimportance of these institutions asinstruments of peace and justice thanks totheir role in fostering coexistence andinteraction within society. Other visits led thedelegation to meet the students of the MorJewish High School and a group of students ofthe law faculty of the Hebrew University ofJerusalem who study the issue ofmulticulturalism and deal with cases relatedto discrimination. The Coordination alsowanted to see realities in which young peopleare involved as volunteers (in a home for theelderly in Qubeibeh) and projects thatpromote youth employment (like the onecarried out by the University of Bethlehem).

The bishops end their communiqué withan appeal to their communities to act insolidarity with the young people of the HolyLand “through supporting organizations thathelp to create jobs, provide housing, andfacilitate dialogue; through prayer andmaking pilgrimages which encounter andsupport local people; and through standingresolutely against all those who seek to createfurther division, especially among our ownpolitical leadership.”

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Education, key to hopein the Holy Land2018 visit of the Holy Land Coordination.

Established at the invitation of the Holy See with the aim of visiting andsupporting the local Christian communities of the Holy Land, the Holy LandCoordination consists of bishops from all over Europe, North America andSouth Africa.

The Lieutenancy for Switzerland haslaunched two original initiatives whichboost awareness of the Order: an App

for smartphones and tablets for the membersand the creation of Polo shirts with theOrder’s logo, which will help promote theinstitution even among people who are stillnot very familiar with it.

The new “OESSH” App not only makes theSwiss Lieutenancy list of members readilyavailable but also makes sure it is always up-to-date with all of the important informationconcerning the Order. Already manymembers of the Lieutenancy regularly usethis App – available in German, French andItalian – that provides personal data,addresses, telephone numbers and emails ofmembers as well as indicating their role,category and Delegation. A search field andnumerous filters make it easier to find thepeople in question. You can even call thephone number directly with the application,write a text message or an email or includethe member in your personal contacts.

In addition to facilitating contact andcommunication, the App contains updatednews about the Order and the UniversalChurch and several documents in PDFformat: invitations and information regardingevents, statutes and guidelines, prayers etc.The calendar section contains a list of all theappointments of interest to members withindication of the date, place and time andwith the possibility to add them directly toone’s own personal phone agenda.

Another initiative launched by theLieutenancy for Switzerland this year is thesale of Polo shirts with the Order logo forKnights, Dames and friends who are sensitiveto our mission to further support our brothers

and sisters of the Holy Land with theproceeds from sales. Since joining the Orderin 2016, Paola Moroni Stampa asked herselfhow she could concretely work within theLieutenancy and in March 2017 presented theproject of the “branded” Polo shirts to theLieutenancy Council who approved it.

“This is the aim of the Polo shirts, to visiblyshow the wearers belonging to the Order ortheir support for it. I thought, for example,that it would be nice for all the pilgrims towear the red and white shirt that makes usimmediately recognizable as a group, for themotto written on the back of the collar “Deuslo vult”», says Paola Moroni Stampa then

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Two initiatives ofthe Lieutenancy for Switzerland

The Life of the Lieutenancies

The polo shirts of the Lieutenancy forSwitzerland donated to the Grand Master and tothe Governor General of the Order by the ViceGovernor for Europe, Giorgio Moroni Stampa,and by his daughter Paola, author of theinitiative.

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“Iwant to tell all the Lieutenants of theworld to organize a pilgrimage withtheir Lieutenancies to the Holy Land.

Members who experience a pilgrimage willno longer be the same andtheir way of being Knightsand Dames will also change.The experience of thepilgrimage profoundlytouches your heart”.Returning from the firstofficial pilgrimage of theOrder’s Lieutenancy forBrazil - Rio de Janeiro (oneof the two present in thecountry) to the Holy Landand Rome, Lieutenant IsisPenido speaks of anexperience that “more thana journey, is an encounter

with God”.Led by Msgr. André Sampaio, Prior of the

Order, the 28 pilgrims spent 13 days ofdiscovery, listening, prayer and sharing. The

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Knights and Dames of Brazilin the Holy Land

“When you come back from a pilgrimage you are no longer the same”

The pilgrimage of the Brazilian Lieutenancy of Rio deJaneiro brought its members to the Holy Land andthen to Rome where they had the joy of being able togreet the Grand Master personally.

recalling the first sales of the Order: “For theAustrian-Swiss Investiture in Salzburg, weinaugurated our sales: our small boutique wasstormed. Swiss, Austrian and German Knightsand Dames, as well as the large Belgiandelegation, and the many guests of honorcouldn’t resist and bought the beautiful poloshirts, made in Switzerland with excellentquality materials”.

Two fraternal moments at the end ofOctober saw the delivery of the Polo shirts inRome to the Cardinal Grand Master, to theGovernor General and to the LieutenantGeneral and in November to Msgr. Pizzaballaduring the Holy Land pilgrimage of theKnights and Dames of the Italian SwissSection.

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50 years have passed since the institution of the Lieutenancy for Northern Italy and theKnights and Dames marked this anniversary on November 11 at the Church of Our

Lady of Peace in Milan, headquarter of the Lieutenancy, with a classical music concert heldby the Ars Cantus symphonic ensemble with more than 200 people composing the choir andsymphony orchestra. Lieutenant Roberto Giuliano Protto wanted to remember and thankthe Knights and Dames who started this peripheral structure of the Order 50 years ago.

Celebrating this recurrence the words St. John Paul II addressed to the representatives ofthe Lieutenancies for Central and Northern Italy in December 1983 should be recalled: “Iintend to be close to you with my word of encouragement. Again with Saint Paul I say toyou: “Never tire of doing good” (2 Thess. 3, 13). I rely heavily on your presence, on thegenerous and completely disinterested dedication to such a noble cause, on the enthusiasmthat comes from serving the Church, providing for the most urgent needs of a chosenportion of her children. In this Christian witness and in such a valid charitable activity Idesire that you continue to distinguish yourselves, and I pray that the Lord may sustain youand His Spirit enlighten you in the choices of every day“.

The concert, which was also a way to express the presence of the Order in the territory,was attended by over 400 people.

50 years of the Lieutenancyfor Northern Italy

choice to leave on pilgrimage is not alwaysobvious, as testified by Angela Graell whodoes not belong to the Order but decided tojoin the group: “Nothing in life happens bychance. I received an invitation from IsisPenido to take part in the pilgrimage; at first Irefused the invitation but then I felt a forcecalling me and I became part of the group.”

On September 11 the group had theopportunity to live a wonderful experience:the Investiture of two Dames, Isabelle Lessaand Luiza Gazola, at the Basilica of the HolySepulchre. Isabelle comments: “They say thatthose who know the Holy Land later are nolonger the same. And it’s true. The energyand presence of God felt in each of the placeswe visited completely transformed me. But,even more than that, the blessing of receivingthe Investiture in Jerusalem was somethingindescribable and unforgettable and a greathonor. To confirm my Catholic faith and myChristian intentions, renew the baptismalpromises in the river Jordan and attend aunique ceremony at the vespers of myInvestiture in the chapel of Golgotha inside

the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre: all of thiswas a blessing and reason for thanksgiving toGod for giving me the opportunity to feelHim ever more present in my life”.

The group continued its journey to Romewhere it participated in an audience withPope Francis and where it was then receivedat the headquarters of the Grand Magisteriumof the Order by the Grand Master, CardinalEdwin O’Brien. This meeting “filled us withjoy and strengthened the certainty that theLieutenancy for Brazil - Rio de Janeiro iswalking on the right path, respecting theConstitution of the Order and the hierarchyof our Church”, said the Lieutenant.

After the pilgrimage, one returns to one’sown home but it is precisely there that thefruits of the pilgrimage mature and benefitthe life of the Lieutenancy, of the ecclesialcommunity and of the society in which onelives.

You can find an interview with Lieutenant IsisPenido about the life of the Lieutenancy for Brazil- Rio de Janeiro on our website www.oessh.va.

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