Two Western Sydney locals were among 50 Australians who met Pope Leo XIV in Rome as the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem gathered to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Joining the Australian contingent on the 21–23 October 2025 pilgrimage were John Secker KGCHS, a retired banker, Diocesan member of the Investment Advisory Committee, and the Order’s Vice Governor General for Asia, Australia and the Pacific, and Royce Brennan KHS, General Manager of the Diocesan Development Fund.
John, a Knight Grand Cross who has served the Order for 30 years, and Royce, invested just 12 months ago, represented the Diocese of Parramatta among 3,800 pilgrims.
“It was wonderful, and undoubtedly one of the best moments of the pilgrimage was I got to meet and shake hands with Pope Leo XIV,” John shared.
“It was the most moving occasion,” Royce reflected. His wife Jennifer, a non-member, also joined the pilgrimage and found it to be a deeply spiritual and moving experience.
The pilgrimage also coincided with the 40-year anniversary of the Order’s presence in Australia, celebrated in Perth in May 2025.
“The other special thing was we had the opportunity to pray, albeit briefly, at Pope Francis’s tomb,” John said.
About the Order
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, is a Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See and Pope Leo XIV is the sovereign of the Order. It is an internationally recognised order of chivalry with the mission to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land through prayer, charity, and cultural projects.
It is the only lay group officially tasked with supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, funded primarily through its members’ contributions.
According to tradition, the Order traces its origins to the First Crusade (1096–1099), with the first documented evidence from 1336. In 1888, women were admitted as Dames of the Holy Sepulchre by Pope Leo XIII.
Today, the Order is led by the Cardinal Grand Master, advised by the Grand Magisterium, and supported by the Presidency, which includes the Governor General, Vice Governors General, and Chancellor. John serves as one of four Vice Governors General. The Order’s structure includes both religious and lay members, with around 30,000 active members worldwide.
Grandmaster Cardinal Fernando Filoni (centre) during Mass for the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in St Peter’s Basilica as part of the Jubilee Year. Image: Supplied
Pilgrimage and Pope’s message
During the pilgrimage, Pope Leo XIV told members, “Today the Church once again entrusts you with the mission of being guardians of the Sepulchre of Christ… you continue this mission with the humility, dedication, and spirit of sacrifice that characterise chivalric Orders.”
He also urged members to embody hope during the Jubilee Year.
“Be so, in the trust of expectation, in the zeal of charity, and in the joyful momentum of hope.”
Pope Leo XIV speaks with members of the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem during an audience in the Paul VI Hall in October 2025. Image: Vatican Media
Quoting St Augustine, the Pope added, “Advance in goodness. Do not stray from the path, do not turn back, do not stop.”
Royce said he was humbled by the pilgrimage and by the sense of shared connection among members worldwide. Pilgrims visited Rome’s four Papal basilicas and celebrated Mass with the Order’s Cardinal Grand Master before attending a special Audience with the Holy Father.
“I talked to people from Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Austria, Germany, America… all over the world. We all had this common purpose,” Royce said.
A personal milestone
For John, the pilgrimage marked 30 years of Knighthood, coinciding with the Order’s establishment in NSW in 1995.
“There were probably about four, maybe five of us from the Diocese of Parramatta whose names were put forward by a member to join,” he recalled.
John’s long service reflects how deeply he values the Order’s charisms of prayer and Catholic chivalry, expressed through generosity and financial giving.
“You don’t join to gain a reward… You become a Knight or a Dame because you want to help with the mission of supporting the living stones in the Holy Land, both with your prayers and with your money.”
John also enjoys the Order’s distinctive ceremonial garments, which are worn during the Order’s significant religious occasions, noting that their differing features and symbols signify the varying degrees of service to the peoples of the Holy Land that a member has undertaken.
Royce added, “I had to order my robes and other regalia from Rome.” He explained that the badges on members’ berets and garments indicate rank.
“I became good at reading berets,” he said, smiling.
Joining the Order
Royce described joining as a lifelong commitment to living a faithful, charitable Christian life and supporting communities in the Holy Land. Candidates undergo an interview and at least 12 months of formation before admission.
“I found out about the Order through John, who invited me to one of their dinners.” After applying, Royce said, “I didn’t hear anything until I got an email from the Secretary saying, ‘Rome has approved your appointment.’ I thought, ‘Oh, my goodness, wow.’”
Royce Brennan, General Manager of the Diocesan Development Fund, during Mass for the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in St Peter’s Basilica as part of the Jubilee Year. Image: Supplied
Members gather throughout the year for ‘Chapter Dinners’ as well as liturgical celebrations such as Corpus Christi processions, Masses for deceased members, and special feast days like the Feast of the Queen of Palestine. John has visited the Holy Land many times and led pilgrimages, while Royce hopes to travel there to witness the Order’s impact firsthand.
United in mission
Royce was quick to challenge any misconceptions about the intent and mission of the Order.
“I was sceptical initially… but it’s just a group of Catholics with strong spirituality and a commitment to helping others.
“It’s also very much supported, protected, and well known within the Catholic Church. There are no secret handshakes.”
He added there was a strong social justice element as well.
“Many people don’t realise there are Catholics in the Holy Land, and they are the lubricant to foster social cohesion between people of Jewish and Muslim faiths.
“Through the work of the Order and significant funding contributions which are audited regularly, we can help support hospitals and schools for all people in the Holy Land – not just Catholics.
“There is also a pooling of resources from all over the world, which is quite amazing.”
John encourages anyone who feels deeply spiritual and connected to Christians in the Holy Land to enquire to learn more.
“Membership is usually through the recommendation of existing members, but we accept cold callers as well.”
The ministry and mission of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem reflect the Diocesan Pastoral Plan’s priorities of community, mission, and prayer, and objectives to be a welcoming Church, renewed in spirit and prayer. View Synodality to learn more.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Order, or about becoming a Dame or Knight, and feel you have the spirituality, prayer life and financial capacity to contribute to the largest single financier of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, please contact the Lieutenancy in NSW.
