Cathedral Administrator Father Lawrence Mduduzi Ndlovu Becomes Equestrian Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

In a moment of great honour and humility, our Cathedral Administrator has been officially invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, joining a centuries-old tradition rooted in faith, service, and dedication to the Holy Land.

The Investiture ceremony, steeped in rich history, dates back to the 12th century when knights journeyed to the Holy Land to protect pilgrims and sacred sites. In 1496, Pope Alexander VI granted the Franciscan Custodian of Mount Sion the authority to confer knighthood in the name of the Pope at the very Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem. Later, in 1847, Pope Pius IX re-established the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, allowing new members to be invested outside Jerusalem, extending the Order’s reach across the world.

Today, the Investiture combines an ecclesiastical profession of faith with the ancient ritual, symbolising commitment to living out the Christian life with integrity, justice, and compassion. The ceremony’s most striking element, the sword, carries deep spiritual meaning. No longer a symbol of battle, it now represents the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, as St Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:13–17. It is a call to defend the weak, stand for justice, and promote peace, particularly in the Holy Land.

During his remarks at the ceremony, the Cathedral Administrator expressed profound gratitude and humility for this sacred honour. Reflecting on the significance of the Holy Land, he shared:

“The Holy Land has given us so much, it is where our Lord Jesus walked, died, and rose again. We all carry something from this sacred place, for we carry the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of where we come from, in Him we live, we move, and have our being. Father Bruce and I take this responsibility and this honour with deep humility. Never in a million years did we think we would find ourselves in this position, but it is an invitation we accept with great gratitude. We will continue to work hard for the people of the Holy Land, remembering the message proclaimed by the angels, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace to people of goodwill.’ May that peace be realised in our lifetime.”

The ceremony was graced by several notable guests, including the Papal Nuncio to South Africa, His Excellency Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, among others.

This moment stands as a proud chapter in the history of our Cathedral — a testament to faith in action, to service rooted in love, and to the ongoing mission of bringing peace and hope to the people of the Holy Land.

Watch the invesiture at https://web.facebook.com/reel/699802286471790

Read the Southern Cross article at https://www.scross.co.za/2025/10/equestrian-order-of-the-holy-sepulchre-expands-to-johannesburg-with-investiture-of-two-priests/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNuwm5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOVEhvUFg5MTVvZFZ2N1ExAR5Dk5pnjnfy1YIhKCEwiaZBtWwjBGBONZpxLpX5Ame28xews7qbe_9rsx6ZGQ_aem_VuhORWyTAkG_vdyAoh1hGQ