EOHSJ members gather for annual meeting

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Ray and Rolinda Dardano 

HONOLULU — More than 500 members of the Western USA Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) gathered in the Diocese of Honolulu for their annual meeting.

The weekend, dedicated to faith and mission, was focused on unity, kindness and perseverance – qualities central to the Order’s mission for Christians in the Holy Land. Mass was celebrated each day, culminating in the Sunday Investiture Mass where several new members officially joined the Order. 

A central component of the assembly was a detailed review of the EOHSJ’s various initiatives; this allowed members to understand the specific needs of the population in the Holy Land and the impact of their support. 

Catholic-run schools, orphanages, healthcare facilities and other essential services in the Holy Land receive critical funding from the EOHSJ. Special funding for humanitarian aid as well as an “Ensuring the Future” campaign help the Christian population by providing food and supplies, in addition to modernizing many schools where interfaith student populations learn to coexist. 

A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Father Bernard Poggi, the U.S.-born rector of the seminary of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Beit Jala, Israel. Fr. Poggi shared the challenges facing Christians in both the West Bank and Gaza, noting how recent conflicts have severely weighed on the community.

Despite not being a party to the conflicts, Christians are impacted by the loss of jobs, high inflation and the soaring costs of food and medicine. Daily life is difficult because hostilities and restricted movement cripple normal living activities throughout the region. Fr. Poggi stressed a dire consequence: Each new conflict accelerates the loss of the Christian population, which now stands at under 1 percent of the Holy Land’s residents.

In Gaza, the destruction of two Latin Patriarchate schools and a hospital was also reported. Efforts are underway to reopen the hospital, as there is currently no healthcare in the immediate area. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is using “Ensuring the Future” capital campaign funds creating jobs to rebuild schools. By continuing to pay teachers, the patriarch is investing in the youth’s future, thereby ensuring hope and stability for the region.

Amidst the difficulties, “God has given us plenty of reasons to be hopeful,” Fr. Poggi said. After seeing how much the North America EOHSJ cares about the Christian community in the Holy Land and supports the people, Fr. Poggi shared a moment when a seminarian asked him, “Why do they love us so much?” He responded, “Because our mission is so important.”

Fr. Poggi is optimistic that better relations in the area will develop as soon as the conflict ends, citing the business savvy of the Palestinian people as a driver for a productive future when pilgrimages return.

Moved by the needs of the seminary and the importance of continuing priestly formation for the Catholic population, EOHSJ members at the meeting spontaneously raised a significant dollar amount on the spot to support the ongoing work of the seminary, to Fr. Poggi’s surprise. 

EOHSJ member contributions are the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s primary source of funding, sustaining both the entire Archdiocese of Jerusalem and the Christian presence throughout the Holy Land. The EOHSJ has approximately 30,000 members worldwide, of which 66 reside in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.