FAQs

Q. How old do I have to be to become a Squire?
The minimum age at the time of Investiture is 20, and the maximum age is 35.
Q. What are the requirements for admission to the Fellowship of Squires?
To qualify to become a Squire, one must
• Be a baptized, practicing Catholic in good standing with the church, have a deep, living, practical Faith, and be committed to being a witness to the Faith;
• Be of unblemished moral character, leading an exemplary Christian life with no irregularities in one's life;
• Receive the Sacraments regularly;
• Have served or contributed in some way to one's parish or to the wider Catholic community;
• Have attained the age of 20, but be no older than 35.
Q. Is there a formation period?
The discernment period for Squire candidates is a minimum of six months prior to Investiture. After Investiture, Squires continue with ongoing formation, which may include regular emailings about the Order and its work in the Holy Land, attending the monthly Squire's Mass and talk from our Prior, and attending the biannual Days of Reflection.
Q. What are the costs to becoming or being a Squire?
No. There are no dues or financial obligations asked of Squires.
Q. Is there a commitment?
When you make your formal promises at Investiture, you make a commitment to remain a Squire for one year. Afterwards, ​you can remain a Squire as long as you ​wish.
Q. What are the duties and obligations of being a Squire?
• Assist at Liturgies/Masses as an Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister or altar server;
• Attend a monthly mass and continuing formation sessions hosted by the Section Prior and the Knights and Dames;
• Attend the Lenten and Advent Days of Reflection (the Section's one-day retreats);
• Participate in the liturgical life of the Section, as much as one is able..
• Assist at the North Central Lieutenancy Investitures, if asked by the Lieutenancy's Master of Ceremonies.
Q. What are the benefits from being associated with the Equestrian Order?
Association with the Knights and Dames benefit an individual in a number of ways:
• Spiritual growth as a participant in section and Diocesan liturgical events;
• Fraternity with fellow Catholics, social and professional connections and spirtitual aspirations;
• Association with an ancient eccleiastical Order and Papal Order of Knighthood with a history and a tradition nearly a thousand years old.
Q. Can I become a Knight or Dame after being a Squire?
Yes, as long as an individual has been a Squire a minimum of one year, is at least 25 years of age and qualifies for the Order in all other respects.

To apply to become a Squire, click HERE. Or send us an email at squires@eohsjcovington.org.
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_The Squire's Prayer

Lord Jesus, Your have called us to serve the Order of your Holy Sepulchre in the North Central Lieutenancy of the United States of America. Gathering with all our fellow Squires under the maternal regard of Your Blessed Mother, we come humbly to renew our faith in You, our homage, and the contrite admission of our sins. Teach us to give ourselves by Love without expecting any return. Protect our brethren in the Holy Land who suffer for having chosen to remain faithful to you. Watch over our Holy Father the Pope, our Cardinal Grand Master, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and all the Knights, Dames and Squires throughout the world. Remember those in the Order throughout the centuries who have died, particularly those for whom no one prays. Finally, Lord, bring it about that in our turn, when our pilgrimage on earth ends, we may appear before You submissive and confident, with our souls strong as a sword and our hearts full of love.
Amen.

Covington-Lexington Section Invests New Squires

Photo Courtesy of the Messenger

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky - The first group of Squires of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) in the United States was formally invested into the "Fellowship of Squires" in a solemn ceremony on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Mary Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Thomas More University. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass followed the ceremony, in which the newly invested Squires served as altar servers.

Four men and two women made their Promises and were received into the Fellowship by the Covington-Lexington Section on behalf of the North Central Lieutenancy. They are the first Squires of the Equestrian Order in the history of the United States. The six invested are: Squire Heather F. Konerman; Squire Madison A. Light; Squire Esteban Munguia; Squire Jeffrey C. Noe; Squire Houston A. Watson; and Squire Juan Pablo Villagrana.

The Fellowship is comprised of Catholic men and women, age 20-35, who wish to engage in a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life experience in Christ through association with the Knights and Dames of the Order.At the time of coming into the Squires, one makes a commitment to Christian formation of the interior life, and to charitable activity for the Christians of the Holy Land. This life is centered around the knightly virtues of the Order, which are represented by the five crosses on the Jerusalem Cross that symbolizes the Five Wounds of Christ.

The Investiture is the first in history for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in the United States of America. Their ceremonial vesture (or capes) are identical to those used by Squires in France and Canada, and consist of a flowing black, knee-length fabric, a black velvet collar with red piping, and the signature red Jerusalem Cross of the Order on the left shoulder.

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____________2023 Squire Investiture

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Photos © 2023 The Messenger and Thomas More University.

The Fellowship of Squires is the auxiliary of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem within the North Central Lieutenancy and Covington-Lexington Section in the Diocese of Covington. Squires are not members of the Order in the formal sense, but are an association of Catholic men and women wishing to engage in a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life experience through association with the Knights and Dames, so that one may grow and deepen their faith in the virtues that lead to a true following of the Lord.

Deepening ones faith requires a commitment to oneself and to the Lord. It is a process of learning and growth. As Squires, young Catholic men and women commit themselves to share in the life and spirituality of the Order through participation in the community of the local Section. Squires seek, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, a“school at the service of the Lord”, and a school in service to the Christians of the Holy Land.

At the time of coming into the Squires, one makes a commitment to Christian formation of the interior life, and to charitable activity for the Christians of the Holy Land. This life is centered around the knightly virtues of the Order, which are represented by the five crosses on the Jerusalem Cross that symbolizes the Five Wounds of Christ.

An interested individual starts out as Inquirer and attends one or more of the Order's events or liturgical functions, and fills out an application. Once approved, he or she becomes a Candidate. Candidates participate in a discernment and formation period of from a minimum of six months up to a year. During this period, Candidates are guided by mentors, one clergy who is available to mentor an individual's spiritual path, as well as one lay Knight or Dame, so that they may help the individual in matters of professional life, if desired.
     At the conclusion of formation, Candidates make promises and make a commitment to remain a Squire for at least one year. During that time, a Squire is privileged to share in the life and spirituality of the Order through participation in the community of the local Section. According to Rev. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell, DPhil, KCHS, Section Prior and Vice-Chancellor of Squires for the North Central Lieutenancy, this commitment Squires seek is founded on three pillars: formation in Catholic doctrine, a deepening of the spiritual life, and the practice of works of charity and prayer in favor of the Christians of the Holy Land. There are no dues or are financial obligations asked of a Squire.
     A Squire’s participation in the Section can include assisting at the Order’s liturgies and Masses as an usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, or altar server. They may also attend the Lieutenancy’s Investitures, participate in the Section’s retreats or organize pilgrimage. In addition, Squires have access to mentors, who are knights, dames and clergy, from whom they can find guidance in their spirituality as well as in their pursuit of life experience.

History

    Squires of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were originally established in 1923 by Baron de Lormais, chancellor of the Lieutenancy of France, who wanted to interest young people in works of charity and prayer in favor of the Christians of Palestine. Its statutes were adopted and approved by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who encouraged their adoption by other countries. The Squires disappeared during the Second World War, but after the war, France re-established the Squire movement which continues to grow today.
    Since then, the Squires movement has spread to Toronto and Montreal in Canada, and most recently to the United States, where the Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni, KGCHS, gave his approval for its formation in the North Central Lieutenancy, with the first Squires attached to the Covington-Lexington Section in the Dioceses of Covington and Lexington.
    Young Catholic men and women should find being a Squire exhilarating and having the potential to give a deeper meaning to their lives. We hope this is what our future Squires will discover who will join us.