Honors

     On the 15th of September, it was announced in our Diocesan newspaper, The CATHOLIC ACCENT, that Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt will honor 31 laypersons and two priests on October 9th by conferring diplomas for Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a historic lay institution that dates back to 1099 and the First Crusade and was approved by Pope Callistus II in 1122, entrusting members with the guardianship of the Holy Sepulchre and the city of Jerusalem.  Today, the members are charged with providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and all of the activities and initiatives that support the Christian presence in the Holy Land, especially through charitable works.  The list of names can be found on the diocesan web page.  Bishop Brandt is a member of the Order, and has promoted its presence since being installed as our bishop.  We congratulate the new Knights and Ladies.

     I have included two photos of Archbishops O'Brien (on the left) and Joseph De Andrea (on the right and in the middle).  I borrowed the pictures from Joan Lewis's blog.  See below.

    Yesterday in viewing Joan Lewis' blog on EWTN, she has an article regarding the arrival of the newly appointed Grand Master of the Order, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore to the offices in Rome.  He takes over for retired Grand Master John Cardinal Foley (of Philadelphia).  In Rome, Archbishop O'Brien received the Order's highest honor, the Collar (a chain of office).  I mention it because presenting the Chain to Archbishop O'Brien is his friend and one of our priests, Archbishop Joseph De Andrea, retired now from the diplomatic corps of the Vatican.  "Father" Joe De Andrea served in a number of parishes in our diocese after arrival from Italy and incardination into the priesthood of the Greensburg Diocese.  Subsequently he entered the Vatican Diplomatic Service and was stationed in a number of difficult assignments before retiring.  His brother, Archbishop John De Andrea, also served in the diplomatic corps.  It was good to see a picture of Archbishop De Andrea.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am overwhelmed and honored at the thought of over 6,006 page views for Journey Thoughts.  Thanks to all who return to read and thanks to those who have stumbled upon the blog.