The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Northeastern Lieutenancy of the United States celebrated their annual Investiture Weekend Oct. 15 to 17. Events were held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Boston Marriott Newton, and attended by over 300 members and guests.

The weekend began on Oct. 15 with a Vigil Service and Promotion Ceremony at the cathedral. Bishop Timothy McDonnell, of Springfield, was the main celebrant.

During the day on Oct. 16, the order held their annual meeting. Guest speakers were Father Milton Jordan, of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and Father Peter Vasko, O.F.M., president of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land.

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley was the main celebrant for the Investiture Mass, held Oct. 16 at the cathedral. Over 50 new knights and ladies were invested during the ceremony.

The crowd returned to the Marriott for a dinner to honor the newly-invested knights and ladies.

Irish tenor Ronan Tynan provided musical entertainment for the attendees.

The origins of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem date back to the First Crusade in 1099, when its leader, Godfrey de Bouillon, freed Jerusalem from Muslim control.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre supports the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Its purpose is to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.