Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were urged at their annual Toronto gala to dig deep and keep moving forward in helping the afflicted of the Holy Land.

“We are called to go the extra mile now more than ever before,” Lieutenant Colin Saldanha said in his address to the Order’s membership at the Oct. 27 event. “More can be done. More will be done with your contributions.”

Saldanha reminded those present that the call of the ancient order is to foster hope among the Middle East’s Christians through a variety of initiatives, including a recently launched Widows and Orphans fund that has raised $600,000 since 2023 toward its million-dollar target.

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“You will be pleased to know that this year the Toronto Lieutenancy will be sending $50,000 from the proceeds of (the Order’s) investments to the Holy Land in addition to our regular contributions,” Saldanha added in his annual report to the members.

The black-tie dinner for the Canada-Toronto Lieutenancy followed the Order’s Investiture Vigil Service on Oct. 25 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, and a Promotions and Investiture Mass presided over by Cardinal-elect Francis Leo.

Leo, who will gain the red hat of a Cardinal at a ceremony in Rome on Dec. 7, reminded members in his brief talk at the end of the gala dinner that their true mission goes beyond the good done by their charitable work.

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“The Order does charitable work, but it’s true purpose is to lead us on the path of sanctification,” Toronto’s Archbishop said.

As an institution placed under the protection of the Holy See, the EOHSJ traces its roots to the First Crusade and continues to improve all aspects of quality of life for Christians in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus. It comprises about 30,000 members organized among more than 60 Lieutenancies and Magistral Delegations in almost 40 countries worldwide. Canada supports Lieutenancies in Montreal, Quebec City, Atlantic Canada, Vancouver and Toronto.

“Our purpose has always been to support parishes, churches, community centres, convents, seminaries and seminarians, clinics, hospitals, parish schools, high schools, Bethlehem University, and even now through humanitarian assistance, provide food and medical supplies,” Saldanha told The Catholic Register. 

“Catholics around the world need to know that right now the Holy Land is in a humanitarian crisis. All Christians and all Catholics should rise to the occasion to support this very vulnerable and diminishing population of Christians in the birthplace of our Lord,” he said. “We are supporting our fellow Christians who are in the presence of adversity and despair yet proud to live their faith.” 

Saldanha said the Widows and Orphans fund is particularly close to his heart for deeply personal reasons.

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“I lost my father when I was 12 and quickly realized the challenges of being a widow. I want to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that no orphan is ever deprived of an education, or of the best quality of life, because a parent isn’t there,” he said.

The North American Lieutenancy of Canada and the U.S. has assured the Grand Magisterium and the Latin Patriarch that it will raise $12 million for the restoration of schools through an additional capital campaign.