Who Are These Men and Women in White and Black Capes?

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

By Dave Wyrwich – KCHS

Have you ever asked yourself “who are these men and women in white and black capes that we see attending diocesan and parish events throughout our diocese?”  Their distinctive attire marks them as members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a papal order of knighthood whose origins trace back nearly a thousand years. Behind their solemn presence lies a deep spiritual mission — to support the Church in the Holy Land and to witness to Christ’s Resurrection in everyday life.

A Noble and Sacred Purpose

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem stands among the oldest and most esteemed institutions in the Catholic Church. Its roots go back to the first centuries of Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre, the site of Christ’s death and resurrection. Officially recognized by the Vatican in the 12th century, the Order continues to carry out its ancient mission: to strengthen the faith of its members and to support the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees Catholic life in the Holy Land.

The Holy Land remains sacred ground for all Christians, yet the number of Christians there continues to decline amid political and social unrest. The Order serves as a lifeline for this community, ensuring that Catholic schools, parishes, hospitals, and humanitarian programs remain strong. Through their prayers and generosity, the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre help sustain the Christian presence in the land where Jesus lived, died, and rose again.

Structure and Spiritual Commitment

The Order functions under the direct protection of the Holy See. Its Grand Master, appointed by the Pope, leads the Order worldwide from Rome, while the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem serves as the Grand Prior — a visible sign of its spiritual connection to the Church in the Holy Land.

The organization is divided into regional Lieutenancies, which are further divided into local Sections and Councils. The Diocese of Biloxi belongs to the Southeastern Lieutenancy of the United States. Within this structure, members gather regularly for prayer, fellowship, and formation. Their commitment extends beyond ceremony; each Knight and Dame pledges to live a life of virtue, charity, and witness to Christ.

Membership is by invitation, extended to Catholic men and women of exemplary faith and service. Upon investiture, they don the white cape (for Knights) or black cape (for Dames), each bearing the red Jerusalem Cross — a powerful symbol of the Church’s universal mission and Christ’s saving sacrifice.

A Presence in the Diocese of Biloxi

In our diocese, the members of the Order are priests, religious, and laypeople who quietly serve in parish ministries, diocesan initiatives, and charitable works. They participate in liturgies and retreats, often praying together for peace in the Holy Land and for the strengthening of the Church there.

Each year, members from across the region attend an investiture ceremony and annual meeting, moments of renewal and recommitment to their sacred mission. Locally, members of the Biloxi Diocese contribute to projects that support the Latin Patriarchate’s schools, seminaries, and charitable institutions — ensuring that education, faith formation, and human dignity continue to flourish in the land of Christ’s birth.

Prayer, Witness, and Service

At the heart of the Order’s mission is prayer. Every Knight and Dame is called to pray daily for the Church in the Holy Land and for peace in a region that has known conflict for generations. Their motto — “Deus lo vult” (“God wills it”) — reminds them that their service is not for prestige, but for the glory of God and the good of His Church.

As Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III has emphasized, the presence of the Order in the Diocese of Biloxi is both a blessing and a call to deeper discipleship. “The Holy Land is not only a place of pilgrimage,” he has noted, “but a living Church that depends on our prayers and support. Through the Order, we extend the compassion of Christ to brothers and sisters who keep the light of faith burning in the land of our Savior.”

Continuing the Mission

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem calls its members — and all the faithful — to stand in solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land. Their presence at diocesan liturgies is more than symbolic; it is a witness to hope, service, and unity with the universal Church.

Through prayer, generosity, and the quiet strength of faith, the Knights and Dames remind us that we, too, are called to walk in the light of the Resurrection — and to help keep that light burning in the land where it first dawned.