On Thursday, January 20, 2026, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, welcomed a delegation of Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, led by Msgr. William Kubacki, KCHS. Among the group were pilgrims from the Diocese of Toledo, including two visitors who received the Pilgrim Shell during their journey: Fr. Albert Beltz, KHS and Deacon Brian Whitta, KCHS.
The Pilgrim Shell, a prestigious decoration worn outside of the knight and dame's cape centered on the red Jerusalem Cross of the Order, symbolizes the pilgrim's personal journey to the Holy Land. It's presented by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to individuals who have completed a pilgrimage to the land of Christ for their first time and have prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Receiving the scalloped shell is a moment of deep significance, representing both a commitment to faith and a connection to the centuries-long mission of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to support the "Living Stones" in the Holy Land today.
Fr. Albert Beltz, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Bellevue, explained that while this was his second visit to the Holy Land—his first coming as a seminarian in 2019—this pilgrimage carried special meaning. “This was my first visit as a priest and as a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre,” he said. Fr. Albert and Deacon Brian Whitta of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Findlay were honored to meet Cardinal Pizzaballa during their visit.
For Deacon Whitta, the pilgrimage offered a profound and lasting spiritual impact. “This entire trip gave me a faith perspective I never had experienced,” he shared. “Assisting at Mass within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—both at Calvary and within the Edicule where our Lord was entombed—are Masses I will always remember. It is hard to put those experiences into words. It was emotional, and an edification of my Catholic faith.”
Deacon Whitta also reflected on the broader mission of the Order and the opportunity to meet with the Latin Patriarch. “The privilege of meeting His Eminence at the Latin Patriarchate was so meaningful as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre,” he said, noting especially the group’s encounters with children at Hogar Niño Dios, students from Bethlehem University, and representatives of Caritas Baby Hospital. “Knowing these are organizations that the Order of the Holy Sepulchre supports through the Latin Patriarchate made all of these experiences extremely meaningful.”
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the oldest chivalric orders in the world, traces its origins to the First Crusade. Today, members dedicate themselves to prayer, service, and financial support for the Church in the Holy Land, helping sustain hospitals, schools, orphanages, holy sites, and other Catholic institutions. Membership also includes a lifelong commitment to the Order’s spiritual mission and a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The Toledo Section of the North Central Lieutenancy, which covers Ohio and several nearby states, has been growing in recent years. In addition to supporting the Holy Land, the Order provides a meaningful way for Catholics in the Diocese of Toledo to live out their faith through prayer, service, and connection to the global Church.
For more information about the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, contact Maggie McDaniel, DCHS, Section President, at maggie@catholicfaithjourneys.com.
Posted January 22, 2026 at 1:44 pm