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The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem’s Eastern Lieutenancy of the United States invested 60 new members and promoted 92 others in a ceremony and Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Oct. 21.
The celebrant was Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, the Bishop of Camden and a former auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese, who welcomed the new members and those promoted, reminding them in his homily that as Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre the redemptive cross of Jesus underpins everything they do.
“We reach out to a world in need of healing, women and men whose lives are broken and wounded by disease, pain and hunger,” he said.
“You are like soldiers for the Kingdom of God, soldiers for our Holy Catholic Church, soldiers for Christ the Lord, soldiers for the Holy Land,” Bishop Sullivan said.
He told the members to remember that their induction connects them to another family tree, that of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre.
“Be good family members by your participation in the work of the order,” the bishop said, “and may each of us grow, always in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
At the start of the ceremony, honorary lieutenant Joseph Spinnato, a member of the order’s grand magisterium, read the decree issued by Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien, grand master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, authorizing the inductions and promotions.
The Knights and Ladies who have “distinguished themselves with acts of mercy and generous works of charity” merit the right to wear the insignia of their rank, wrote Cardinal O’Brien, who is a native New Yorker and former auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese.
Vicki Downey, lieutenant of the Eastern Lieutenancy, delivered closing remarks and led the congregation in the order’s daily prayer.
The inductees included the late Police Detective Steven McDonald and his wife, Patricia Ann McDonald. Detective McDonald was shot while on duty in Central Park in 1986 and left paralyzed; he died on Jan. 10, 2017 and was inducted posthumously.
Among the new inductees, Christopher M. Nichols of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., described himself as very excited to become a Knight and said he believes his life will become more spiritual as a result.
“My wife is going to join next year,” he said. “We’re very excited.”
Joseph F. Falce of the Diocese of Rockville Centre said his induction as a knight gave him a terrific feeling. “I hope I’ll have more of the Holy Spirit in me and will be able to fulfill what’s expected,” he said.
Those inducted and promoted included priests and lay persons.
New priest members inducted from the Archdiocese of New York were Father Elias D. Mallon, S.A., who is external affairs officer for CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association), and Father Jean-Pierre A. Seon, parochial vicar of St. Barnabas, the Bronx. Father Douglas Y. Crawford, pastor of Good Shepherd in Rhinebeck, was promoted to knight commander.
New knights inducted from the archdiocese were Salvador Almonte, Ludwig A. D’Angelo, Misael A. Guerra, Julian Iragorri, Biagio B. Madaio, John T. Riley and Robert P. Wilson.
Knights from the archdiocese promoted to knight commander were Thomas J.R. Basile and James Mulzet; those promoted to knight commander with star were Robert Bala, Daniel D. Leddy and Anibal Sabater; those promoted to knight grand cross were Rory Capra and Daniel J. Cherico.
New ladies inducted from the archdiocese were Louise V. DeCaro and Irma SusPastrana. Those promoted to lady commander were Diane A. De Angelis, Nancy J. Indelicato and Susan M. Laquercia; promoted to lady commander with star were Susan A. Archambault, Catherine Bala, and Susan C. Gan.
