EOHSJ Australia-Victoria August 2016 Newsletter pg. 1

“I choose to be merciful or I choose not to be merciful. It is one thing to speak of mercy and another to live mercy. Paraphrasing the words of Saint James the Apostle, (cf. 2:14-17), we can say: mercy without works is dead in itself.”

Pope Francis speaking at his Eighth Jubilee Audience

NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2016

2016 VIGIL and INVESTITURE CEREMONIES We are pleased to welcome seven new members to our Order. They are:

Knights George Gordon

Peter Martin

Dames Isabella Emerson Margaret Hamilton Ula Harris Elaine Kininmonth Mary Richardson

All Knights and Dames are requested to attend the Vigil and Investiture ceremonies for our newest members. The Vigil will be held at the Carmelite Monastery, 94 Stevenson Street, Kew on Saturday 10 September 2016 and will be preceded by a Chapter Meeting commencing at 9:00am. Knights and Dames will be robed for the Vigil; candidates will make their vows and have their robes and regalia blessed during the ceremony. Mass will follow the Vigil. The Solemn Mass of Investiture will be at 11:00am on Sunday 11 September 2016 in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne. Candidates, Knights and Dames are requested to assemble in the Diocesan Centre at 10:30am for robing and preparation for procession into the Cathedral. Following the Investiture, family and friends are invited to join with members for 1:00pm luncheon at Fenix Restaurant, 680 Victoria Street, Richmond as we welcome our newest members. The cost of the luncheon is $110 per person.

Promotions Grand Master Edwin Cardinal O’Brien has chosen to recognise the special contributions to the working of our Lieutenancy by three of our members:

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DAME BARBARA RALPH has been promoted to the rank of Dame Commander with Star. Barbara has been a member of the Executive and wonderful coordinator of functions for many years. KNIGHT MICHAEL HOWARD has been promoted to the rank of Knight Commander. Michael has been our very able and efficient Treasurer for many years. KNIGHT MICHAEL GILMOUR has been promoted to the rank of Knight Commander. Michael was Secretary during the term of my predecessor and continues to assist as a member of the Executive.

We thank each for their dedicated support and offer congratulations for the honours accorded.

Establishing an EOHSJ Presence in Tasmania

The initiative to establish a presence of the Order in Tasmania, foreshadowed at the April AGM, is proceeding. I have spoken to and exchanged correspondence with Michael McKenna KCGHS, who is resident in Hobart and Liturgical Master of Ceremonies to the Archbishop of Hobart. Our Grand Prior, Archbishop Denis Hart DD KCGHS, has approved the establishing of a Section of the Australia-Victoria Lieutenancy in Tasmania if it has the agreement of Archbishop Julian Porteous. A letter seeking agreement has been sent to Archbishop Porteous. Subject to the agreement of Archbishop Porteous, it is tentatively proposed that representatives of our Lieutenancy will travel to Hobart on Saturday 19 November 2016 and hold an information session with potential candidates. On Sunday 20 November our Knights and Dames will participate in a Procession for the Feast of Christ the King that is traditionally held in a local Parish Church. Any members who are able to travel to Hobart for the weekend of 19-20 November and give their support will be welcome.

2016 Annual Dinner

Nearly ninety members and friends gathered at the RACV Club on Monday 18 July for the 21st Annual Dinner of the Australia-Victoria Lieutenancy. Ecclesiastical Knights were represented by His Lordship Bishop Peter Elliott and Fathers Brendan Hayes and David Cartwright. Also in attendance were fathers Brendan lane, Des Dwyer and Arnold Heredia, with Seminarians Jude Ezeme and Confidence Masvosva. Our Prior, His Grace Archbishop Denis Hart was overseas and had made his apology. During his address of welcome, Lieutenant Will Kininmonth announced the recent promotions (as above) to generous applause. The candidates for Investiture were also introduced and greeted with applause. Special guests for the evening were Simon Costa and his wife Lisa. Following an introduction by John Ralph KGCHS, Member

Simon Costa

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of Honour of the Grand Magisterium, Simon described work he carried out over four years as a volunteer for the United Nations World Food Program. Through his leadership and practical demonstration Simon was able to establish a sustainable programme to substantially reduce spoilage of food by insects, rodents and weather that had previously caused half of grain grown or donated to be wasted. Now established in several countries of the African Sahel, Simon’s project has the potential to alleviate suffering amongst the poorest of the world. A major feature of Simon’s work is the ability of local craftsmen to construct the essential storage containers. The success of the project can be measured by Simon and his team being recognised by the United Nations as having the most significant humanitarian programme for 2015. In moving a vote of thanks Emeritus Lieutenant David Perrin Kc*HS noted the personal sacrifice that Simon and Lisa had made during the four years of work pro bono; they truly gave witness of Christian charity in their devotion to helping those in need.

www.oessh.va

The New International Site of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, inaugurated the new website of the Grand Magisterium, in the presence of European officials of the order gathered in Rome. The site is accessible in five languages. It is a new means of communication meant to join the members of the Order, numbered at more than 30,000 Knights and Dames distributed over five continents, as well as link with friends and lovers of the Holy Land. Historical updated information will be kept on the previous site integrated within that of the Holy See in two languages (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/oessh/index_en.htm). The new site gives prominent place to activities of the Order and projects sustained in the Holy Land. [The Australian site of the Order is at http://eohsjaustralia.org] Introducing the work of the Order Videos show the life of the Lieutenancies, which represent the peripheral structures of the Order in local churches, from Australia to Argentina and from Norway to South Africa, passing through

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European countries where the Order has centuries of history. The important thing is the need to start a link among the Order members, through feeding their spiritual and fraternal life, calling their attention on information coming from the Holy Land, especially those coming from the Latin Patriarchate and the Custody. The site is meant to introduce the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the spiritual commitment of its members and their generosity, by renewing the image of this Pontifical institution. Subscription to the Order’s Newsletter, to be forwarded on to registered persons, is recommended. Today the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre, in increasing numbers, are gentlemen and ladies, mostly lay people, who seek to live their baptism in light of the spirituality of the Empty Tomb, to witness the power of the Lord’s Resurrection, and devoting their energies to support the “living stones” of Mother Church in the Holy Land. Their model of sainthood is Blessed Bartolo Longo, apostle of the Rosary and the only beatified lay member of the Order, and who built over the ruins of Pompei a place of worship and social works; a sources of hope for millions of pilgrims. A jubilee pilgrimage of the Order is organized at Pompei Shrine, at the request of the Grand Master, in October, in the framework of the Year of Mercy.

Pope Sends Video Message Ahead of Visit to Poland

‘Even now, I embrace you and I bless you……

Dear brothers and sisters, I send you this message as a pledge of my affection. Let us keep close to one another in prayer. I look forward to seeing you in Poland!’ Pope Francis, ahead of his 15th Apostolic Visit abroad and

his first trip to Poland, sent a video-message to all the young people gathered in Krakow for World Youth Day July 27-31 and to all Polish people. During the Pontiff’s trip, he participated in events of the 31st WYD and, like his predecessors, visited Czestochowa and Auschwitz-Birkenau.

“In welcoming the outcast who suffer physically and welcoming sinners who suffer spiritually, our credibility as Christians is at stake……… Unless those who call themselves Christians live to serve, their lives serve no good purpose. By their lives, they deny Jesus Christ,” [Pope Francis, speaking at WYD]

Nearly 700 young people from the Diocese of Jerusalem took part in the World Youth Days

in Poland.

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Latin Convent of Marj El-Hamam ready to accommodate faithful in its church.

Jul 18, 2016 - JORDAN – The Latin Convent of Marj El Hamam in Jordan has completed the construction of its Church building. The church has been equipped with the necessary infrastructure that enables proper accommodation of its faithful and clergy, everything from furniture, lighting and cable systems to a Baptism area, Sacristy and an altar space. Moreover, the completion of the Church Hall is currently under finishing stage and is expected to be finalized soon. Once the project is completed, it will benefit about 1.500 parishioners consisting of 300 families, the Sister’s community and about 4.000 Christians living in the area. The building and completion of the church, was made possible by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Naber Jordanian Catholic family; Jamil, Shafiq and Issa Naber, Parishioners and Latens foundation Chile.

Christian schools in Israel still awaiting $US 13 million promised by State

ISRAEL – Church leaders in Israel have asked for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the state failed to transfer 50 million shekels (about $US 13 million) to Christian schools as promised.

Last September, Christian schools went on strike for a month, keeping 33,000 students at home when the academic year opened. At the end of the dispute, the State promised the schools 50 million shekels – which they are still awaiting, church leaders said. A committee has also been established to discuss relations between the schools and the Education Ministry.

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The Basilica of Nativity: Restoration works continue to reveal hidden jewels

BETHLEHEM – Restoration works are still ongoing in one of the oldest and holiest basilicas in the world; the Basilica of the Nativity. The current restoration works of the Basilica started in 2013, made possible by donations of 10 million euros received from different countries and organizations. Restoration work throughout history

After the destruction of the Nativity Church during the Samaritan uprising of 529, Emperor Justinian ordered his envoy to rebuild the church in its present form in 540, where he raised the level of the floor, lengthened the church, added a narthex and mosaics, and replaced the octagonal apse by a more spacious triapsidal form. Between 1165 and 1169, the church was restored as a result of the cooperation between King Amaury, King of Jerusalem and Byzantine Emperor Manuel Comnenus. The church was filled with mosaics on the walls in the nave and the transepts. In the 13th century and during the Mamluk rule, repairs were permitted only infrequently and the deterioration of the church increased by looting. Felix Fabri, a 15th century pilgrim, describes the interior as “a barn without hay, an apothecary’s without aromatic pots, a library without books, pigeons fly freely inside

and outside the church through the holes in the roof.”

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In the 15th century, under the patronage of the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Giovanni Tomacelli da Napoli, and after the approval of the Sultan and the Holy See, the roof was rebuilt. The wood for the project was donated and sent from the Republic of Venice whereas Edward IV of England donated the lead used for the roof and the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, paid for the work.

FEATURE: Mercy in Art

Jubilee Itinerary Among Masterpieces of Great Italian Artists

From 31 May to 27 November 2016, Rome’s Capitoline Museums are housing an exhibition titled “Mercy in Art: Jubilee Itinerary among the Masterpieces of Great Italian Artists,” organized by the European Center for Tourism and Culture, on the occasion of the Jubilee proclaimed by the Holy Father. The subject of mercy, which is at the heart of Christian thought, has been the object of many works of art, from paintings to sculptures, from

miniatures to incisions, which, on one hand, represent Our Lady of Mercy, namely the Virgin who gathers the Christian people under her mantle, as a mother that protects, defends and helps her children and, on the other, the Works of Corporal Mercy, which Christ enunciated (Saint Matthew’s Gospel 25:35-36) and which a good Christian must carry out.

1st Liturgical Feast of Mary Magdalene

22 July celebration upgraded from “memorial” to “feast”

On 10 June 2016 Pope Francis decided to raise the celebration of the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene (22 July) to the dignity of a liturgical Feast. In the modern Church calendar, saints may be commemorated with a memorial (optional or obligatory), feast, or solemnity. Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the Resurrection, and is the one who announced the event to the Apostles. She is an example of true and authentic evangelization; she is an evangelist

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who announces the joyful central message of Easter. Pope Francis made the decision in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to signify the importance of this woman who showed a great love for Christ and was much loved by Christ. Mary Magdalene was referred to as the “Apostle of the Apostles” (Apostolorum Apostola) by Thomas Aquinas, since she announced to them the Resurrection, and they, in turn, announced it to the whole world. The liturgical celebration of Mary Magdalene has the same grade of feast given to the celebration of the apostles in the General Roman Calendar, and shines a light on the special mission of Mary Magdalene, who is an example and model for every woman in the Church.

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries mourns the passing of Fr. Faysal Hijazin

Latins, Melkites, Maronites, Syrians, Armenians, Chaldeans, Custody of the Holy Land

STATEMENT – It is with deep sorrow and sadness that the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land mourns the loss of Fr. Faysal Hijazin, Director of Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine and Israel, who passed away this morning August 4, 2016. The Assembly wishes to offer its condolences to the Latin Patriarchate and the family of Fr. Hijazin. We raise our voices in prayer to God to have mercy on him.

Prayers

Please remember Knight Bill Ward KHS in your prayers. Bill is continuing under a course of treatment. Knight Julian Doyle KHS has had a recent operation and we pray for him as he recuperates. Dame Alice Wong DHS recently returned to Malaysia for the funeral of her father and we pray for her family. Please let me know if you are aware of a member who is unwell and is in need of our prayerful support. Will Kininmonth KCHS Lieutenant Australia-Victoria