Equestrian Order continues to support Christians in the Holy Land despite pandemic

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis celebrated a live-streamed Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Sept. 14. The Mass was preceded by the rosary that the organization regularly recites on the first Monday of the month. Shown from left are Sir Raymond and Dame Rolinda Dardano, Bishop Solis, and Dame Pam and Sir Fred Strasser.

By Raymond Dardano

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) has adjusted during the pandemic to ensure the continuation of the mission of the Order. The spirituality of the members and the spiritual and financial support of the Christians in the Holy Land have continued to be the primary focus during the pandemic.  

The Salt Lake Area has maintained its monthly first Monday rosary using video meetings for its members. Attendance at the rosary has exceeded the impressive numbers that were attained even prior to the pandemic. In addition, Bishop Oscar A. Solis, a member of the Order, celebrated a live-streamed Mass for the Order on Sept. 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The Mass was preceded by the Monday rosary.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is one of the four Feast Days of the Order. The Western Lieutenancy, comprised of nine areas including Salt Lake, held a virtual annual meeting Sept. 24-27.  Members commented that while they always look forward to meeting in person, it was terrific that several members who have had difficulties attending in previous years were able to participate virtually. A virtual social hour was a big success and allowed many members to connect despite the physical separation.

Salt Lake Area members Dame Jane Hitzelberger and Sir Paul Hitzelberger were promoted to the rank of Dame and Knight Commander with Star during the meeting. Deceased Salt Lake Area members Deacon Sir Forrest Gray, (KHS), Dame Jean Henkels, (DCHS) and Dame Barbara Lee, (DHS) were remembered during the annual Memorial Mass of Remembrance (live-streamed) celebrated by Archbishop Jose Gomez on Sept. 27 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

Many Christians in the Holy Land have been without work because they heavily rely upon tourism and pilgrimages, which have ceased because of the pandemic and are not expected to resume for some time. The Western Lieutenancy was able to support the Christians in the Holy Land with an additional humanitarian donation of $150,000 this year, as many members chose to increase support to offset the particularly difficult impacts of the pandemic. The funds will be combined with funds supplied by other Lieutenancies to supply families with food, baby care supplies, medicine and education costs.

The Lieutenancy thanked Sir Fred Strasser (KGCHS) and Dame Pam Strasser (DGCHS) for leading the Salt Lake Area as the Area Co-Councilors for the past eight years. Their tenure as Co-Councilors concluded after the annual meeting.  The Lieutenancy thanked the Strassers for their many years of service to the Order and for initiating numerous events and programs strengthening the spirituality of the members.

The new Area Co-Councilors for the Salt Lake Area will be Sir Raymond Dardano (KCHS) and Dame Rolinda Dardano (DCHS).  

Information regarding the EOHSJ, including how to help with the humanitarian fund, can be found at www.eohsjwesternusa.org.

 Raymond Dardano is the Area Co-Councilor for the Salt Lake Area of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.