At Washington’s St. Matthew Cathedral on Oct. 28, Camden diocesan priest, Father Jim Betz, receives the mozzetta and Jerusalem cross from fellow Army chaplain Father Jim O’Neal.
Father Jim Betz, priest of the Diocese of Camden and Army chaplain, recently became a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The order includes clergy as well as laymen and women. It is dedicated to supporting the work of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land.
The order goes back to the First Crusade led by Godfrey of Bouillon in 1095. Today it is worldwide with 29,000 members. Its Grand Master is Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, formerly Archbishop of Baltimore and of Military Services.
The order has impressive ceremonial attire. Women wear a mantilla and a full length black robe. Laymen wear a full length white robe and black beret. Both robes have a red cross on the left arm.
More information about the order is available at www.holysepulchre.org and www.eohsjnortheast.org