Knights and Dames of the Order in procession at the Investiture Mass

Southwestern USA Lieutenancy

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Deus lo Vult — God wills it

A pontifical order of knighthood charged with supporting the Latin Patriarchate and the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Arkansas · New Mexico · Oklahoma · Texas

About Us

Serving the Christian presence in the Holy Land

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a pontifical order of knighthood charged with supporting the Latin Patriarchate and the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The Southwestern USA Lieutenancy serves members in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Joining the Order means taking on a commitment for life. The commitment to be a Witness to the Faith, to lead an exemplary Christian life of continuing charity in support of the Christian communities in the Holy Land.

Read a brief history of the Order

Investiture

Annual Meeting

2027 Austin, Texas
October 15–18

Liturgies, investiture, presentations, and fellowship in support of the mission in the Holy Land.

Upcoming
September 14–18, 2028 — Santa Fe
September 14–17, 2029 — Fort Worth
September 6–9, 2030 — Houston

Support the Mission

Give

A donation of a Bequest from your will is a beautiful way to help our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land.

A registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible as provided by law.

2027 Departures

Upcoming Pilgrimages

The Holy Land Pilgrimages include visits to all of the holy sites that are required to earn the Pilgrim Shell. Non-members are welcome to join any of the Order-sponsored pilgrimages. Pilgrimages in other lands do not include the Holy Land so cannot earn the Pilgrim Shell.

  1. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
    Departs24Jan 2027
    Returns06Feb 2027

    14 Day Pilgrimage RetreatTo the Holy Land

    Departs from Houston

    Eligible for the Pilgrim Shell
  2. The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris
    Departs08Mar 2027
    Returns20Mar 2027

    13 Day PilgrimageParis, and the Holy Land

    Departs from Houston

    Eligible for the Pilgrim Shell
  3. The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi
    Departs07Jun 2027
    Returns22Jun 2027

    16 Day Family PilgrimageItaly, the Holy Land and Jordan

    Departs from Houston

    Eligible for the Pilgrim Shell
  4. The Church of All Nations at Gethsemane
    Departs15Jul 2027
    Returns28Jul 2027

    14 Day Seminarians’Holy Land Retreat

    Departs from Houston

    Eligible for the Pilgrim Shell
  5. The city of Toledo above the Tagus River
    Departs30Sep 2027
    Returns10Oct 2027

    11 Day Pilgrimage of SpainLed by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley

    Departs from Houston

    Holy Land not included

To receive a Pilgrim Shell, the most treasured decoration of the Order, submit a letter to the Lieutenant. Please address your questions to Dame Michele Malloy, DGCHS. Protocol to Receive Shell

Photos: Notre-Dame by Gargarapalvin; St. Peter’s by Livioandronico2013 (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped).

Leadership

Southwestern USA Lieutenancy

Grand Prior
Archbishop Paul Coakley, KC*HS
Lieutenant
Lois K. Folger, DGCHS
Office Manager
Cindy Rogan

Membership

New Member Nomination

We encourage nominations of Catholics in good standing who actively participate in their diocese and parish.

Please do NOT invite candidates to join directly! Each candidate must be approved by their local pastor, bishop, and ultimately the Vatican.

Arkansas · New Mexico · Oklahoma · Texas

States We Serve

Section newsletters and information for each area of the Lieutenancy.