Maynooth’s neo-gothic college chapel was the fitting setting for the investiture of five new knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at the weekend.
The solemn ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien, Grand Master of the order who had travelled from Rome for the occasion.
The order, founded in the Middle Ages, has a special devotion to the holy places in the Holy Land associated with the life of Christ, particularly the Holy Sepulchre itself where Jesus was laid after his death.
Today, members support the Christian community in the Holy Land and are involved in many charitable projects helping the local Church in the Holy Land.
Invested as new members of the order were Fr Michael Mullaney, William David Williams, Rodney Leonard, James G. Fitzpatrick and Brian McCarthy. Three serving members of the order were also promoted to the rank of Knight Commander: Fr Tom Deenihan, Dr Frank Hurl and David C. Quinn.
Photos: John McElroy