Order of The Holy Sepulchre - Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Pius IX re-established the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1847 and re-organized the Order. Pius X ordained that the Order's cape or mantle, as worn by the original knights, be a "white cloak with the cross of Jerusalem in red enamel." Pius X assumed the title of Grand Master. The title of Grand Master is now held by a cardinal of the Roman Curia who is resident in Rome at the Palazzo Della Rovere, the 15th century palace of Pope Julius II, immediately adjacent to the Vatican. It serves as the Order's international headquarters.

There are several grades of knighthood, and except for the highest grade, these are open to both men and women:

• Knight of the Collar
• Knight / Dame Grand Cross (KGCHS / DGCHS)
• Knight / Dame Commander with Star (KC*HS / DC*HS)
• Knight / Dame Commander (KCHS / DCHS)
• Knight / Dame (KHS / DHS)

In some jurisdictions the term "Lady" is used rather than "Dame," but this is a misnomer since the honorific term of Lady (Donna) refers to the wife of a Knight(Cavaliere). However, a woman who has been conferred with the Order is properly termed a "Dame" (Dama). Members of the Catholic clergy may also receive this Order in the same ranks as laymen. Since the Order has its roots in the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, priests of the Order are regarded as "honorary canons" of the Holy Sepulchre, and they are entitled to the insignia of a Canon (i.e. mozetta for choir dress). Some of the priests of the Order prefer the honorary term of Canon to the title of Knight, which carries a connotation that may be considered improper for a priest. There is also an award of merit and those Knights and Dames making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land receive the Pilgrim's Shell from the Latin Patriarch. The Order is conferred by the Holy See and its Secretariat of State, in the Name and by the Authority of the Pope, and every Diploma is sealed and signed by the Secretary of State of the Vatican.

In ecclesiastical heraldry, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is one of only two Orders whose insignia may be displayed in a clerical coat of arms. (Laypersons have no such restriction.) Knights and Ladies of the Order display their arms in the badge of the order, while Knights and Ladies of the rank Grand Cross surround their shield with a ribbon. Other ranks place the appropriate ribbon below the shield and may also display the red Jerusalem cross behind their shield. In the territory of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, reinstituted in 1847, the Franciscans have 24 convents, and 15 parishes.

The Order is now primarily honorific. Its principal mission is to reinforce the practice of Christian life by its members in absolute fidelity to the Popes; to sustain and assist the religious, spiritual, charitable and social works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land; and to conserve and propagate the faith in the Holy Land and the rights of the Catholic Church there. As it is a papal honor aspirant members must be practicing Catholics of good character, recommended by their local bishop with the support of several members of the Order, and are required to make a generous donation as "passage money" (echoing the ancient practice of crusaders paying their passage to the Holy Land) as well as an annual financial offering for works undertaken in the Holy Land. There is a provision for the Grand Master to admit members by motu proprio in exceptional circumstances and also for the officers of the Grand Magistery to occasionally recommend candidates to the Grand Master.