“To come together from afar with our fellow brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, to join in prayer for peace, and to collectively ponder how we can increasingly embody the spirit of unity within the Universal Church. This will be a significant aspect of our gathering.”  

In a recent Press Conference at the Holy See, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, introduced with these words the upcoming meeting of the 2023 Council of the same Order.  

His Eminence focused on the theme of this meeting that will take place in Rome from November 6-10. This general assembly brings together the Delegates responsible for the Order’s various peripheral structures worldwide.  

The Cardinal explained in the press conference an indispensable aspect of the life of the Equestrian Order. He said, “We think that formation is an essential point. First of all, to understand what we are and what we are doing, and, secondly, for those who would like to join, it is important that they will join, just because we believe that our mission towards the Holy Land needs spirituality, understanding, needs capacity.” 

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem is a lay institution of pontifical right and currently has 30,000 members present on five continents. Their mission is to consolidate the Christian presence in the Land of Jesus by supporting the works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, especially those of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.  

The current complicated situation in the Holy Land was also a topic discussed at the end of the press conference. The Cardinal expressed his views and concerns, saying, “This gathering now comes in a moment very dramatic for Palestine, for Israel, with so many people who were killed.”  

The Cardinal further expressed the solidarity of the Order with all those suffering and its commitment to assist those in need. He said, “We have a role in this moment, especially in supporting our people. Christian, not Christian. All those who are there.”  

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants will be received in the audience by the Holy Father and will then make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls and the Shrine of Divine Love.  
 

[Adapted by Jacob Stein]