About the Order
Our History
Nine centuries of papal protection and service to the Church in the Holy Land.
From the pilgrim knights to a Central Entity of the Church
The historical origins of the Order are somewhat obscure. According to an undocumented tradition they are traced back to the First Crusade, but the first documentary evidence of an investiture of Knights referred to as “of the Holy Sepulchre” dates to 1336. From the fourteenth century onward the popes gradually and regularly expressed their desire to annex the organisation juridically to the Holy See.
A timeline of papal protection
1342
Clement VI entrusts custody of the Holy Sepulchre to the Franciscan friars, in an era when Knights alone had the right to create other members of the Order.
1496
Alexander VI declares himself supreme moderator of the Order and delegates to the Franciscans the power to bestow knighthood on nobles and gentlemen on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The privilege is renewed by Leo X in 1516 and Benedict XIV in 1746.
1847 to 1868
Pius IX restores the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1847 and transfers the pontifical delegation to the Patriarch. In 1868 his Apostolic Letters announce the restoration of the Order.
1888 and 1907
Leo XIII opens the Order to Dames of the Holy Sepulchre in 1888. In 1907 Pius X reserves the title of Grand Master to the Pope himself.
1932 to 1962
Pius XI approves a new Constitution in 1932 and permits investitures in members’ own countries. In 1940 Pius XII names a Cardinal Protector and centralises the Order in Rome as the Grand Magisterium, transferring the title of Grand Master to Cardinal Canali. John XXIII approves Cardinal Tisserant’s Constitution in 1962.
1977 to today
After the Second Vatican Council, Paul VI approves a new Constitution in 1977. John Paul II makes the Order a canonical and public juridical person constituted by the Holy See. The Constitution was revised again at the “Consulta” of 2013, so that the Order may seek the commitment and sanctification of its members in their local churches.
Continue exploring
See how the Order is organised today, or read about the papal honours and chivalric Orders recognised by the Holy See.
Our Organization Papal Knighthood