South Africa: from Magistral Delegation to Lieutenancy

On July 3, 2025, in response to a request from Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Grand Prior of the Order for South Africa and Metropolitan Archbishop of Johannesburg, the Cardinal Grand Master decreed the elevation of the Magistral Delegation of South Africa to the rank of Lieutenancy.

The Magistral Delegation, which has now been elevated to a Lieutenancy, currently comprises 60 members. This number is expected to increase by a further 20 in the near future with the establishment of a Section in Johannesburg, in addition to the one already present in Cape Town.

Contemporaneously, the Cardinal Grand Master signed the decree by which the serving Magistral Delegate since 2019, Juan Luis Cabral, assumed the title of Lieutenant.

This dynamic Lieutenancy held its most recent Investiture Ceremony on May 23 and 24 in Cape Town, during which ten new Knights and Dames were welcomed into the ranks of the Order.

Among those present were Nancy Moses and Ricardo Moses.

Nancy here shares her thoughts and feelings from the Vigil that took place at St. of St Mary of the Flight into Egypt Cathedral in Cape Town in the evening of the 23rd. “As I stood before the altar, lifting the vase of oils, a wave of emotion washed over me. I felt an immense sense of privilege to be a part of such a sacred ceremony, a prelude to the honour that awaited. It was a moment where the spiritual felt tangible, and I was acutely aware of the generations of devotion and faith that have upheld this Order. The air itself seemed to hum with grace, and I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the path that had led me to this very point.”

Ricardo echoes Nancy in recounting his experience of the Investiture Ceremony, describing it as “a moment of profound emotion that will forever be etched in my memory. Standing there, surrounded by fellow Knights and Dames, while making my solemn vows, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and purpose. It wasn't merely a ceremony; it was a spiritual embrace, a tangible affirmation of a calling that has long been close to my heart.”

For all Knights and Dames it is valuable to remember how this call to join the Order came about. Penelope Irvine has no difficulty in identifying the clear moment in her story when this vocation became apparent to her: “In 2018 I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Father Robert Bissell, which changed my life. It was a deeply spiritual and uplifting experience, and I felt a real connection with the peoples and sacred sites. On returning I was moved to join the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre to help serve and care for the Holy land and its people.”

We extend our best wishes to the new lieutenancy, which we are sure will continue to be a sign of hope within the local Church and a symbol of closeness to the distant yet so close Holy Land.

(July 9, 2025)