Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration
The Religious and Military Order
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
June 20-June22, 1997
As part of its Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration, this Order of Chivalry held the largest class in its history to date with nine Postulants elevated to the Rank and Dignity of Knight. Attending the three-day event were 55 Knights and guests. The Celebration was held in Greeley, Colorado, a university town located 55 miles directly East of Denver, Colorado and the location of the Grand Magistry.
The Vigil Ceremony
Friday, June 20, 1997 at 9:00 PMIn ancient times, the one to be made Knight spent an entire evening in the Chapel of his Lord, often alone, and always in prayer and contemplation. This practice is continued in The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.At the Vigil Ceremony, the ancient rites of purification (hand washing), penance, and pardon are performed, and prayers are offered on behalf of the Postulant. The Postulant also venerates the Cross by bowing. Then, the Vow of Silence is imposed and then sealed by pressing the handle of the Sword upon the lips, and the person is dismissed to the Vigil. At the Dismissal, the person is no longer a "Postulant," but a "Vigilant" of the Order.
The Vigilant continues the Vigil by reading and meditating according to his or her particular Church tradition. Fasting is optional. The Vigilant will not speak a word (except for dire emergency) until the Investiture the next morning, at which time the Vigilant will be released from the Vow of Silence.
It should be noted that both men and women are received equally into this Order of Chivalry, the Dames holding equal rights and privileges with the Chevaliers, including access to the various Offices at all levels.
These photographs follow a Knight, from Postulancy, through Vigilancy, to the Imposition of the Hand which grants Holy Sepulchre Knighthood.
The Vigil Ceremony
Friday, June 20, 1997 at 9:00 PMIn ancient times, the one to be made Knight spent an entire evening in the Chapel of his Lord, often alone, and always in prayer and contemplation. This practice is continued in The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.At the Vigil Ceremony, the ancient rites of purification (hand washing), penance, and pardon are performed, and prayers are offered on behalf of the Postulant. The Postulant also venerates the Cross by bowing. Then, the Vow of Silence is imposed and then sealed by pressing the handle of the Sword upon the lips, and the person is dismissed to the Vigil. At the Dismissal, the person is no longer a "Postulant," but a "Vigilant" of the Order.
The Vigilant continues the Vigil by reading and meditating according to his or her particular Church tradition. Fasting is optional. The Vigilant will not speak a word (except for dire emergency) until the Investiture the next morning, at which time the Vigilant will be released from the Vow of Silence.
It should be noted that both men and women are received equally into this Order of Chivalry, the Dames holding equal rights and privileges with the Chevaliers, including access to the various Offices at all levels.
These photographs follow a Knight, from Postulancy, through Vigilancy, to the Imposition of the Hand which grants Holy Sepulchre Knighthood.
1-The Postulants give their responses of assent during the Vigil Ceremony
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2-Former Postulants, now Vigilants of The RMOKHSJ, receive the Vow of Silence at the Vigil Ceremony
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3-The Vigilants enter in the chronological order of their approval to receive Investiture
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4-The Investiture Officers and the Supreme Council enter, preceded by the Standard Bearer, the Mace Bearer, the Spurs Bearer, and the Sword Bearer
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5-Assembled Knights and Vigilants stand for Prayer led by the Grand Prior
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6-"The Encrestment" at which time the Sovereign Grand Master imposes his right hand on the head of the Vigilant and speaks the words which begin "Be a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre...."
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7-The dubbing follows the act of creating the Knight and is the Rite which confirms that the new Knight has the right to bear Arms
10-The new Knights gather with the Grand Master
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8-The charge to courage follows the Cuff, the traditional blow to the left cheek of the new Knight
11-All Chevaliers and Dames attending the Investiture gather for a group portrait
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9-Here, a Dame is shown receiving the charge to courage
12-Left to right: Baroness Harlek, the Grand Master, the Countess of Maxalla
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13-The Grand Master and Bishop Michael Whitney
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14-Grand Marshal of the Supreme Council, Dr. M.R. Shaw, delivers to the Knights and guests a presentation on the spiritual life
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Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
In Honor of the Order's Fifteenth Anniversary
In Honor of the Order's Fifteenth Anniversary
A Special Service
Shown celebrating Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in honor of the 1997 Fifteenth Anniversary of The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Priest and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. This Sacred Service is only one of many different activities planned during the anniversary year to honor the Order. The anniversary celebrations culminate in the Fifteenth Annual General Assembly and Investiture held in June 1997 in Greeley, Colorado. In the past, Investitures have been held in these states:
To return to the GA page, click HERE
To go to the History of the Holy Sepulchre, click HERE
To return to the main page, click HERE
Shown celebrating Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in honor of the 1997 Fifteenth Anniversary of The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Priest and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. This Sacred Service is only one of many different activities planned during the anniversary year to honor the Order. The anniversary celebrations culminate in the Fifteenth Annual General Assembly and Investiture held in June 1997 in Greeley, Colorado. In the past, Investitures have been held in these states:
- California
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma ... and ...
- Texas
To return to the GA page, click HERE
To go to the History of the Holy Sepulchre, click HERE
To return to the main page, click HERE