A pontifical Order in the service of the Holy Land

In the service of the living stones
of the Holy Land.

Spiritual support and concrete solidarity for the Christians of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Gaza and the wider Latin Patriarchate — schools, parishes, families and seminaries.

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Our Order

A spiritual and charitable force in the service of the Holy Land.

The mission of the Order unfolds through several essential commitments: support for the Christians of the Holy Land, service to the local Church, deepening of spiritual life, concrete charity, a calling to peace and witness of faith.

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Support for the Christians of the Holy Land

Support for the schools of the Latin Patriarchate, parishes, seminaries and Christian families so as to preserve a living Christian presence in the Holy Land.

— II

Service to the local Church

Taking part in the life of the Church in Luxembourg through works of charity, liturgical celebrations, conferences and support for diocesan initiatives.

— III

Deepening of spiritual life

A life of faith, prayer, spiritual formation and pilgrimages to the Holy Land, rooted in a deep attachment to the mystery of the Holy Sepulchre and the Resurrection of Christ.

— IV

Concrete charity

Material and humanitarian support for the most vulnerable communities, in a spirit of Christian solidarity and service.

— V

A calling to peace

Commitment to dialogue, fraternity and hope among the peoples and communities of the Holy Land.

— VI

Witness of faith

A Christian witness lived with humility, fidelity to the Gospel and a spirit of service in daily, family and professional life.

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News

Pilgrims of hope — recent highlights.

From Rome to Luxembourg, the life of the Lieutenancy in recent months, drawn from the Christmas 2025 newsletter.

Audience of Pope Leo XIV with the EOHSJ in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican — 23 October 2025 Vatican · 23 Oct. 2025
Featured Jubilee Pilgrimage

Pope Leo XIV renews the mission of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

More than 3,600 Knights and Dames from around the world, including the Luxembourg delegation led by Lieutenant Jacques Klein, were received in audience by the Holy Father at the close of the Order's Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome.

Read the article
Cardinal Hollerich receiving the deed of installation as Grand Prior Luxembourg · 9 July 2025
Lieutenancy

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich installed as Grand Prior

Thirty years after Archbishop Fernand Franck, the Archbishop of Luxembourg receives the Order's stole with the potent cross, in a ceremony presided over in Luxembourg.

Read the article
Portrait of Bartolo Longo, Knight Grand Cross of the Order, at prayer Rome · 19 Oct. 2025
Spirituality

Canonisation of Bartolo Longo, the first lay member of the Order to be canonised

A model of conversion and apostle of the Rosary, Bartolo Longo, Knight Grand Cross since 1925, was canonised in St Peter's Square by Pope Leo XIV.

Read the article
Procession of the Knights of the Order at the investiture in Notre-Dame de Paris Paris · 26-28 Sept. 2025
Investiture

Investiture at Notre-Dame de Paris: a new Knight from Luxembourg

Carlo Mulbach was invested by Cardinal Grand Master Fernando Filoni in the magnificently restored cathedral, surrounded by a fifteen-member Luxembourg delegation.

Read the article
Saint-Yves Conference on the Status Quo in Jerusalem — Luxembourg, 4 December 2025 Luxembourg · 4 Dec. 2025
Lecture

“The vicissitudes of the Status Quo in Jerusalem” by Ambassador Gilles Bonnaud

Ambassador Gilles Bonnaud retraces the history of the Status Quo at the Holy Sepulchre — a fragile yet essential symbol of the coexistence of the Christian Churches in the Holy Land.

Read the article (FR)
Christmas meditation — Bethlehem at dusk, dove of peace and family at prayer Bethlehem · Meditation
Christmas Meditation

“To be peacemakers” — Meditation for Christmas 2025

Canon Claude Bache, Coadjutor Grand Prior, meditates on a wounded Bethlehem and the calling of Knights and Dames to be presence, support and bridge.

Read the meditation
« Christian hope is not naïvety, but obstinate fidelity to the promise of the risen Christ. It is our mission. »
Canon Claude Bache · Meditation for Christmas 2025
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Our Works

Concrete support for the Church in the Holy Land.

Each year, the Lieutenancy for Luxembourg co-finances a specific project, selected from among those submitted by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to the Grand Magisterium.

2026 Projects

At its 2026 General Assembly, the Lieutenancy for Luxembourg has decided to support two current projects in the Holy Land.

Beit Afram retirement home in Taybeh — stone building with balconies, overall view Beit Afram · Taybeh
Taybeh, Palestine

Renovation of the sanitary facilities of the “Beit Afram” retirement home.

Taybeh, north-east of Ramallah, is the last entirely Christian village in the Holy Land. Founded in 2005, the retirement home welcomes elderly people who are often isolated and vulnerable. Three rooms currently have bathrooms that have become unusable, forcing residents to share facilities.

The project covers the complete demolition and reconstruction of the sanitary facilities, the replacement of water and drainage networks, the installation of new electrical and sanitary equipment, and finishing and compliance works — to restore dignified and safe living conditions.

House of the Sisters of the Rosary in Beit Jala — pale stone exterior with red door Sisters of the Rosary · Beit Jala
Beit Jala, near Bethlehem

Installation of a heating system in the house of the Sisters of the Rosary.

In Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, the Sisters of the Rosary — present since 1856 — play a vital role in local education and social life. The recent extension of their residence now requires a suitable heating installation.

The project includes a high-efficiency condensing boiler, a complete heat production and distribution system, radiators and thermal equipment, plus a regulation system and the associated electrical installations — to ensure adequate living conditions and lasting support for the Sisters' mission.

2025 Project
Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem — main entrance Caritas Baby Hospital · Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Palestine

A mobile digital X-ray unit for the only paediatric hospital in the West Bank.

Founded in 1953, the Caritas Baby Hospital cares each year for 47,000 young patients suffering from hereditary, neurological or metabolic conditions. The co-financed unit will allow rapid bedside diagnostics and support the development of paediatric surgery and neonatal intensive care.

A project carried out in fraternity with the Lieutenancy for Ireland, united by the figure of Saint Willibrord, secondary patron of Luxembourg.

114 000 €
Total project cost
30 000 €
Luxembourg co-financing
400 000
Children in the catchment area
Donate

Your gift supports the living stones of the Holy Land.

Since 15 September 2025, the Sainte-Irmine Foundation has been collecting donations for the humanitarian works of the EOHSJ — Lieutenancy for Luxembourg, and guarantees their tax deductibility.

Donations are transferred, via the Grand Magisterium in Rome, to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which allocates them to parishes, schools and Christian families — and they directly support the projects we are carrying this year.

Sainte-Irmine page See our works
Signing of the agreement between the Lieutenancy and the Sainte-Irmine Foundation — Luxembourg, 5 August 2025
Signing of the agreement between the Lieutenancy and the Sainte-Irmine Foundation — Luxembourg, 15 September 2025.
Bank transfer

Sainte-Irmine Foundation

LU64 1111 7017 0305 0000
BIC : CCPLLULL
Required reference: « Aide humanitaire de l'OESSH »
Tax-deductible donation — a certificate is issued by the Sainte-Irmine Foundation and sent directly to the donor.
Mobile donation via Payconiq Scan the QR with your phone, or tap here from mobile.
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Publications

Lieutenancy newsletters.

Twice a year, at Easter and Christmas, discover the highlights of the Lieutenancy, spiritual meditations and projects in the Holy Land.

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2026 Calendar

Spiritual life and commitment of the Lieutenancy.

Monthly Masses, retreats, pilgrimages, the Octave and Te Deum. All the celebrations that mark the liturgical year.

NOV 20
Formation meeting · "By virtue of our commitments…"
Speaker: Isabelle Scart
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
DEC 17
Formation meeting · "Prudence and judgment"
Speaker: Carlo Mulbach
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
JAN 09
First Friday Mass · Epiphany cake
Franciscan Sisters' Chapel · Belair · 12:00 noon
JAN 28
Formation meeting · Renunciation, poverty and temperance
Speakers: Matthieu and Jeanne Ducorroy
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
FEB 06
First Friday Mass
Franciscan Sisters' Chapel · Belair · 12:00 noon
FEB 25
Formation meeting · Courage or fortitude
Speaker: Arthur Scart
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
MAR 16
Formation meeting · Justice and peace
Speaker: Jean-Baptiste Niedercorn
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
MAR 19
EOHSJ asbl General Assembly
Centre Jean XXIII · Luxembourg
APR 06
Easter Monday Mass + lunch
Manternach Church · 10:30 am
APR 22
Formation meeting · Solicitude, solidarity and generosity
Speaker: Joris Buyse
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
MAY 03→17
Octave · Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Luxembourg
Notre-Dame Cathedral
MAY 18
Formation meeting · Engagement and collaboration
Speaker: Olivier de Gassart
Coordination: Isabelle Scart
JUN 23
National Day Te Deum
Notre-Dame Cathedral · Luxembourg
SEP 14
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Franciscan Sisters' Chapel · Belair · 12:00 noon
OCT 23
Solemnity of Mary, Queen of Palestine
Franciscan Sisters' Chapel · Belair · 12:00 noon
NOV 06
Mass in memory of deceased members
Franciscan Sisters' Chapel · Belair · 12:00 noon
DEC 13
Advent Mass + lunch
Niederwiltz · 11:00 am
Prayer of the Knight and Dame

“Grant us the strength to love all the beings of the world, whom Thy Father has created, and, even more than the others, our enemies.”

Lord, by Thy five Wounds which we wear upon our insignia, we pray to Thee.

Grant us the strength to love all the beings of the world, whom Thy Father has created, and, even more than the others, our enemies.

Deliver our mind and heart from sin, partiality, selfishness and cowardice, that we may be worthy of Thy Sacrifice.

Send down upon us, Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre, Thy Spirit, that He may make us convinced and sincere ambassadors of Peace and Love among our brothers and sisters, and especially among those who think they do not believe in Thee.

Give us the Faith to face all the sufferings of daily life, and one day to come humbly, yet without fear, before Thee.

Amen.