VATICAN CITY, FEB 27 (ZENIT).- The Jubilee of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem will take place from March 1-4. The event will bring together in Rome some 3,500 Knights, Dames and ecclesiastics from all over the world, who are members of this institution.

    The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher was established to defend pilgrims threatened by many dangers when journeying to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in 1099, shortly after the conquest of the Holy City by Crusaders. Among pilgrims the custom began to request membership in the Order upon arrival in Jerusalem. The investiture was carried out by the Latin Patriarch and, in time, by the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land. In 1496 Pope Alexander VI restricted membership in the Order of the Holy Sepulcher to important personages going on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

    In 1847, after the Latin Patriarchy of Jerusalem was re-established, Pope Pius IX gave new life to the Order with the Bull "Nulla Celebrior," entrusting it with the task of helping the Patriarchy in its activities and needs. The last time these statutes were updated was in 1996, when John Paul II established that the charitable objectives of the institution, to insure material and spiritual support to Christian communities in the Holy Land, remain unaltered. Thus, the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher have concentrated their efforts in assisting Christian families, the majority of whom are Palestinian, who are pressed to emigrate given the difficult social, economic and political situation of the country.

    The 20,000 Knights and Dames of the Order give decisive support to the Latin Patriarchy's needs, especially priests, the patriarchal seminary, and parish schools with over 15,000 pupils. They have also undertaken initiatives of a social nature, including the construction of homes, assistance to professional schools, and facilitation of loans for agricultural activities and craftsmanship. ZE00022702