Formation: A Privileged Moment

The moment of entry into the Order is always a unique experience for the Knights and Dames. Before the Investiture, formation requires at least a year, during which time the awareness of what it means to be a Member of the Order grows, accompanied by a dedicated life of faith, as well as knowledge of the Holy Land to which the future Knight and Dame are directed.

Jan Zahálka, who is a candidate from the Magistral Delegation for the Czech Republic, wrote the following after attending an Investiture ceremony about how this moment was particularly significant in his formation process. “The ceremonies are simply beautiful. If I had to choose some moments that particularly touched me, they would be: the words of Archbishop Graubner on duty, the reading from the Letter to the Ephesians (I especially like the concept of the ‘sword of the Spirit’), and the connection between the Order’s tradition and the Czech tradition of Saint Wenceslaus. Overall, I believe that having attended the Investiture greatly strengthened my motivation to continue my path of formation.”

Formation is a topic that the Grand Magisterium of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, together with all the Lieutenants, Magistral Delegates, and Grand Priors, has reflected upon extensively since the Consulta meeting held in November 2023. The final Document on Formation was recently shared over the summer with all local groups of the Order to support this important process of growth and awareness that prepares for entry into our Pontifical Institution.

When Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master, presides over the Vigil and Investiture ceremonies, he always schedules a moment to meet with the candidates to answer their questions. This is an extremely appreciated moment as it allows for the deepening of important themes and a chance to hear the opinion and advice of the Grand Master of the Order directly. Jan recounts, “We were asked to prepare a question for His Eminence the Grand Master. Mine was ‘How do you see the role of a Knight in the digital age?’ In the end, I did not ask my question because part of the answer had already been given regarding another question that had been posed to the Cardinal about the right approach to educating and motivating young people. His Eminence’s answer, as I paraphrase and understand it, was that the life of a Knight is itself a Catholic testimony, that a Knight is a bearer of light, ‘I am here and if you are attracted to what I have to say and support, follow me.’ This is a fully relevant answer to my question as well and shows me how the values of the Order are valid in any situation.”

(October 2024)