Prince François d'Orléans, Count of Dreux is the 51st Grand Master of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. The new Grand Master of the Order, after his election to the Extraordinary Grand Chapter General, took the oath in the Maredsous Abbey Church during a solemn and formal ceremony attended by many members of the Order.
We ask God's blessing on our new Grandmaster.
Atavis et Armis!

We all have reason to rejoice this Easter because Jesus has risen!


We hope that this Easter brings you new hope.


May the Risen Lord bless you and yours in this Eastertide.


Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem

A Chapter General took place in Orleans. The Order has a new Order Government, H. E. Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic was unanimously confirmed as Grand Master by the Chapter General, and in round tables, the individual world Grand Priories discussed the future of the Order in the areas of tradition, spirituality and hospital activities.

Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem was saddened to receive the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who, with her bravery, diligence and devotion to service, was an inspiration to members of our ancient Order.


His Excellency the Grand Master, Count Jan Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic, expresses his deepest condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and to all the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem was saddened to receive the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who, with her bravery, diligence and devotion to service, was an inspiration to members of our ancient Order.

His Excellency Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic appointed the new Spiritual Protector and Chaplain General of the Military and Hospital Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, His Eminence Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda.
Cardinal Kambanda was born on November 10, 1958. After his studies, he was ordained a priest on September 8, 1990 by Pope John Paul II. He then continued his studies in Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in theology. In 1994, his entire family was murdered as part of the Rwandan genocide.
In 2013, he was appointed resident bishop in Kibungu, and five years later, archbishop in Kigali. On October 25, 2020, Pope Francis named him a cardinal. At the same time, he also works in the Congregation for the Evangelization of Nations and the Congregation for Catholic Education.
His appointment is a reinforcement primarily for the missionary and charitable part of our order operating in Africa.
We congratulate His Eminence and accompany him in prayer.
Atavis et Armis!

We all have reason to rejoice this Easter because Jesus has risen!
We hope that this Easter brings you new hope.
Have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

During Lent, as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery, we listen to God's Word far more closely, focusing more on prayer and inner sobriety. During their post, members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia traditionally take part in Retreats, which this time took place in Bílina. The Retreats, led by Fr. Marcin Saj, took place in a pleasant fraternal atmosphere, with the participation of H. E. Grand Master and Grand Prior, Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic. The main reflection was on HOPE, which is a topic more than current for each of us today and meant spiritual reinforcement for all involved.
Despite all the evil that is happening in today's world, despite all our personal falls, Jesus Christ remains the hope of human history. It is a constant and faithful hope. This hope does not lie, because God is faithful. Let us live in this hope and pass it on!

Spiritual Prior of Grand Priory of Bohemia Mons. František Václav Lobkowicz, GCLJ, dies today at age 74.


Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,
et Tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam,
ad Te omnis caro veniet.
Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison.

11th November we remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
May they rest in peace. +++

The Czech Republic is a country blessed with a plethora of cultural heritage sites. The primary goal of the Association of Castle Owners is to preserve private castles, country houses, gardens and other privately-owned historic monuments in the Czech Republic. A member of this Association is also the Grand Master of the Order of Saint Lazarus, Czech nobleman Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic. He tells about his life story in the Association's newsletter.

With the participation of His Excellence Mauro Marsili, the new Ambassador of the Italian Republic in the Czech republic, representatives of the Czech and Italian armies and members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia of the Military and the Hospitaller Order of the St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, a traditionary commemorative act for the dead prisoners of war was held in Milovice (Czech republic). The act took place at the Italian Military Cemetery. It is located southwest of the town and was formed during the First World War, when a camp for Italian and Russian prisoners was held in Milovice. At that time, nearly 20 000 men were interned, many of whom died as a result of typhus epidemics and hunger. There are 5170 Italian, 521 Russian and 51 Serbian soldiers buried in the cemetery. These prisoners also took care of the prelate of the Order of St. Lazarus, Msgre. ThDr. Antonin Count Bořek-Dohalský from Dohalice.

With the direct participation of the Grand Master of the Order, H. E. Jan Count Dobrzenský of Dobrzenice, on July 31, 2021, the Chapter General of the Grand Priory of Poland was held in Gniezno, which also included the investiture of new members. The Chapter General was also attended by members of the order from the countries of the Visegrad Group, including the Hungary and Grand Priory of Bohemia. The famous Holy Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Gniezno, Wojciech Polak.

We all have reason to rejoice this Easter because Jesus has risen!


We hope that this Easter brings you new hope.


Have a blessed and meaningful Easter!


Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem

This Christmas may be like no other we have experienced. We come to the end of a year when so many have endured so much suffering in so many ways brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic. Let us pray for all those who have died. Let us stand with those who have been bereaved. Let us recall that we have all suffered emotional and mental distress through fear and through being kept apart from our loved ones and friends. Let us stand together with those who have found their incomes disappear or their businesses struggle.

Perhaps what we will remember most is the necessity of being apart. Not least, that for the most part we have not been able to gather together in the Order, either nationally or internationally.

Our Order is called after St Lazarus and it's founding charism that of caring for those suffering from leprosy. We know from the Scriptures and we know it remains true today, that those suffering from it are often excluded from society. The warmth of the embrace of family and friends, one of the most basic of human needs, denied to them. This year, we have all shared in that feeling. But our Order began precisely to combat that; to find ways to give them that comfort of care. So likewise, we must do so today with courage and dignity in the face of that which afflicts us.

The precautions we live under are a sacrifice for the greater good, so that more of us may live to see another day. Let us be inspired to find new ways to reach out and care for one another. When we cannot hold hands we can still hold one another in prayer as we gather in spirit with the Holy Family this Christmas.

The new life we celebrate each Christmas is the renewal of that which God has given each of us - His life that courses through our world, which re-invigorates our faith. The many tragedies of Covid 19 have also been the cause of so many acts of kindness and generosity that give us hope.

I pray that this Christmas will bring each of us new hope as we look to the future year with the strength of God's grace within us.

S.E. Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz
50th Grand Master

On Thursday morning at the Basilica of Our Lady at Nice in southern France, there was a terrible attack on those attending Mass. Three people, the sacristan, Vincent, who was 55 years old and a father of two daughters, who had served the basilica as sacristan for 10 years, and two women Mass goers, one 44, the other 60 years old. It appears to have been a terrorist attack and the murders targeted those going to Mass - a clear case of their deaths being “in odium fidei”, which is to say, carried out in hatred of the faith. This is one of the attributes of a death that carries with it the idea of martyrdom and is one of the conditions accepted in the beatification process.

On All Saints Day this Sunday we celebrate all those who are in the presence of God whose names we do not know. We only know for certain those in Heaven, when they are raised to the altar at canonization. But surely we can have a strong hope that these three people are among those we celebrate today and give praise to God for.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee.

This Monday 2nd November is the Feast of All Souls - the Commemoration of all the faithful departed. The soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The third option is purgatory, which is where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go.

Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. Made fir to see God face to face. There is scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out... Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."

We pray that like St Lazarus, Our Lord will raise them up to new life.

During the 2nd pilgrimage of the Grand Priory of Poland to the Our Lady of Częstochowa, a silver commemorative medal of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, was ceremoniously presented. It was stamped only in a small number of specimens. His Excellency Grand Prior Krzysztof Polasik-Lipiński GCLJ-J with the assistance of Chancellor Chev. Jerzy M. Korwin Małaczyński KCLJ-J, presented this medal to Father Waldemar Pastusiak as a votive thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Jasna Góra Monastery.

We are deeply saddened to announce Dr.ssa Claudia Corinna Benedetti has left to see our Lord. Dr.ssa Claudia Corinna Benedetti was a great support and active member of the Grand Priory of Italy. She was also the UN Peace Envoy and President of the ONPS. She organized hundreds of conferences and debates in support of civil rights and against women's violence. Rest in peace, Claudia!

In these times of trial, I would first like to let you know how close I am to each of you and to your loved ones.


Holy Week is a journey of prayer and suffering towards the Light of the Resurrection. Our world is suffering, and I know that many members of the Order, like their forebears, are devoted to the elderly, the vulnerable and the most disadvantaged. Since their beginning, the Knights of Saint Lazarus have always fought against illness through prayer and charity.


On Good Friday Christ took all these sufferings for Himself. Today, on this Easter day, we have the certainty of life victorious over evil through the Resurrection of Our Lord.


I would like to quote our late Spiritual Prior, Monsignor Pierre Boz, who reminded us of the great hope of the Resurrection a few days before his death: "The Resurrection appears as the supreme and masterful miracle which will complete all the miracles of healing, relief, reparation and consolation accomplished by Christ during his public life, and by all his Saints until the end of time. "


It is this message of hope that I want to convey to you on the occasion of this Easter celebration.


We pray today for those who have lost their lives due to the virus, including a Dame of the Order of Saint Lazarus, and for the health workers who have given their lives caring for the sick.


"Blessed are those who do the work of peace: they will be called sons of God" (Mt 5,9)


We should not forget the thousands of people who suffer daily from injustice and violence in the Holy Land and around the world. May they be in our prayers. Let us ask the Lord to help us break down the walls of hostility and division. Together let us build a world of justice and solidarity. May He give us the strength to know how to always respond to hatred with love, and to misery with sharing. And may the love of others accompany us every day in order to be peacemakers without respite.


With the hope of seeing you all as soon as possible and in good health, I ask Our Lady and Saint Lazarus to protect you and your families.

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are well and in good health.

In the midst of the extraordinary situation caused by Coronavirus around the world, the Grand Master and I wanted to speak personally to you, members of our dear Order of Saint Lazarus.

We are going through an unprecedented period with considerable consequences, from both a health and an economic point of view.

Our Grand Priories around the world have temporarily suspended all planned events in accordance with the containment measures and restrictions. Today more than ever, it is essential to maintain contact with one another so as to ensure that no one is alone during this pandemic. We are counting on you to receive regular updates, to response to calls, messages or emails and to take any necessary action.

We must also untie our strength and prayers for those who are suffering around us. We encourage every action which will SERVE those who need it. There is a lot to do on the battlefield: this is our vocation.

On this eve of Holy Week, during which we prepare to live the mystery of the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that He will succeed through the Resurrection on Easter morning. We pray that the light of this morning of hope will illuminate us and bring us both the joy of meeting Christ and harmony in our lives.

Take care of yourself, your families, your loved ones, and stay healthy.

In prayer,


Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou
President of the Governing Council
Grand Prior of France

The Grand Priory of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Duchy of Luxemburg recently celebrated five years of its official re-establishment. Mass and an Investiture was celebrated in the Church of the Carmelite Fathers in Brussels.
Pictured here HE Damien van Bellinghen, Grand Prior of Belgium, Dom Cyrile, one of the French Chaplains, the Abbot of Maredsous, Rev Fr Simon Henry, Chaplain to the Grand Magistry and Chev. Pierre Piccinin da Prata.

Soldiers of Peace International Association AISP awarded the Commander's Degree Commemorative Medal of Peace to the Grand Master of the Order H.E. Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenic. The award was decided by the AISP Steering Committee as an award for many years of work in favor of peace and solidarity. The medal was also awarded to His Royal Highness Prince Charles-Philipp d´Orléans, Duke of Anjou. In the lower class medal were awarded to H.E. Damien van Bellinghen and chev. Patrick Claeys from the Grand Priory of Belgium and Luxembourg.

At our recent Chapter General in Warsaw we were directed by the inspiring words of the Grand Master to continue, with renewed vigour, to work for the spiritual and temporal goals of the Order.
Below is the full transcript of a speech delivered at the end of the weekend.

Soldiers of Peace International Association AISP has decided to award the Commander's Degree Commemorative Medal of Peace to the Grand Master of the Order H. E. Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenic. The award was decided by the AISP Steering Committee as an award for many years of work in favor of peace and solidarity.
Soldiers of Peace International Association AISP - is an international non-governmental organization founded on November 19, 1988. Since 1995 it has been a first-class consulting institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Association associates UN peacekeeping forces (blue berets), which are committed to maintaining peace within the UN. Headquartered in Lyon, France, it has more than 50,000 members in 24 countries.

With the participation of His Excellence Francesco Saverio Nisio, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic in the Czech republic, representatives of the Czech and Italian armies and members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia of the Military and the Hospitaller Order of the St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, a traditionary commemorative act for the dead prisoners of war was held in Milovice (Czech republic). The act took place at the Italian Military Cemetery. It is located southwest of the town and was formed during the First World War, when a camp for Italian and Russian prisoners was held in Milovice. At that time, nearly 20 000 men were interned, many of whom died as a result of typhus epidemics and hunger. There are 5170 Italian, 521 Russian and 51 Serbian soldiers buried in the cemetery. These prisoners also took care of the prelate of the Order of St. Lazarus, Msgre. ThDr. Antonin Count Bořek-Dohalský from Dohalice.

In September members of the Order gathered in Warsaw for the international Chapter General Meeting.
It was a wonderful few days packed with administrative meetings and cultural celebrations, culminating with the Solemn Celebration of Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral.
On the penultimate day H.E. the Grand Master gave the following address to reaffirm our mission as a Catholic Order of Chivalry.

The Grand Priory of Poland successfully continues in the reconstruction of the former military hospital in Przemysl. The facade was reconstructed and the "Knights' Hall" was opened and will serve as a conference room. The main aim of the reconstruction is to establish the Hospice and Care Center "Betania".

On 12 - 14 September 2019 took place the Grand Chapter General of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. This international meeting, which usually takes place every three years, was attended by the 50th Grandmaster - H. Exc. Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenic, members of the Government of the Order and other members of individual national jurisdictions.

The subject of the Grand General Chapter's meeting was to evaluate the functioning of the whole order so far in the world and in individual countries and to present visions of the future direction of the Order's work and the main charitable activities. These visions were emphasized especially during the Grand Master's speech to the present members: The Lazarus is a Catholic order, acting in a full accordance with the doctrines and doctrines of the Holy See. Ordinary spirituality then leads the whole order and its individual members in the charity work, in the care of the sick, suffering and persons in need. An unquestionable secular protector of the entire order remains the Royal House of France, which is represented by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles-Philipp d´Orleans, Duke d´Anjou.

The program of the Grand Chapter General also included a reading of the message of H. Em. Dominic Cardinal Duka, Archbishop of Prague and Primate of Bohemia, who is the General Chaplain of the Order and his spiritual protector.

The culmination of the Grand Chapter General took place in the famous Holy Mass, which was served in the Archcathedral of John the Baptist in Warsaw. Traditionally, this service was associated with investment, during which new members were admitted and current members promoted, or honored by those of the confreres and fellow sisters who through their long-term activity and service significantly contributed to the fulfillment of the Order's work.

Members gathered for the Vigil Service to welcome new members into the Order recently. Chaplains of the Grand Priory of Great Britain were joined by Rev Mgr Stephen Alker, MBE KCHS, retired Chaplain to the Forces and Fr Leo Daley, who is a member of the Constantinian Order of St George and St Stephen, as well as Parish Priest and their host at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Burscough, Lancashire. A rare guest was Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Charles Hadcock and his wife Camilla. The Lieutenancy is Her Majesty the Queen's personal representative in each county in the United Kingdom.

On July 3, 2019, a planned meeting of the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic, J.E. Archbishop Charles Balva with Grand Master Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz.
The Grand Master and the Apostolic Nuncio discussed the Order of St. Lazarus as a Catholic institution, open to all Christians, about its history, current activity, problems and ambitions.

The Grand Priory of Bohemia received the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Cajetan. The symbolic key was taken over by the Grand Master and Bohemia Grand Prior, Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic, from the vicar of the Redemptorist Congregation. The Grand Priory of Bohemia will use the church as its seat. Since 1937 it is the first time that the Grand Priory of Bohemia has its own Order Church.
The Holy Mass was served by the Chaplain General of the Order, Cardinal Dominik Duka.

František Xaver Thuri (29 April 1939 Prague - 22 April 2019) was a Czech composer, harpsichordist, oboist, organist, musicologist, notable pedagogue and knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus.
He had worked as an oboist for the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and Prague Chamber Orchestra. He is known for his tenure as a professor of the Prague Conservatory where he had taught a number of notable Czech oboe players (for example his son Jan Thuri, soloist Vilém Veverka among others), who constitute the majority of current soloists in Czech orchestras and solo oboe performers.
In the Czech Republic he is often called 'the last baroque composer', having written an extensive number of works in baroque and early classicism style.
He became a member of the Order in 2014.

Our prayers for Sri Lanka victims and for Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith.

Prayers for the restoration of the Cathedral and for the restoration of the Faith to all the people of France.

The Grand Priory of the USA recently held its annual Investiture in New Orleans in the splendid church of St Mary, the Chapel of the Old Ursuline Convent built in 1845.
Cadetes formed an honour guard for the procession as new members were admitted and promotions awarded.

Sad news that Fr Milan Norbert Badal died yesterday aged just 62. A Chaplain to the Order, he was also personal secretary to our Chaplain General, the Cardinal Archbishop of Prague, Dominika Duka, assisting particularly with media related issues.
Between 2003 and 2009, Milan Badal served as vice-president of the Czech television Council. Between 2015 and 2016 he was deputy chairman Of the Czech Radio Council.
From 1996 to 2003 he served as editor-In-chief of the Catholic weekly newspaper.
He was Born in the town of Opočno in eastern Bohemia, 15. August 1956. He graduated from the philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague.
He was parish priest to a parish on the outskirts of Prague at Hostivice.
He was a writer, publishing mainly with Sursum Publishing and was a contributor to the Christian Internet magazine Christnet.cz. He also published a recipe book of traditional Czech dishes.

The Grand Prior of Great Britain, His Excellency Anthony Dickinson, cordially invites all members of the noble Order, Companions, their families and guests to meet in the County of Lancashire on 12th and 13th July 2019 for the Annual Investiture of new members and the granting of promotions.

Guests are most welcome to attend any and all events. Non-members are most welcome to attend. Please contact any member of the Grand Priory.

On this the twenty-first day of January, on the anniversary of the execution of King Louis XVI, His Royal Highness Prince Henri, Count of Paris, Duke of France, Head of the Royal House of France, surrendered his soul to God.
Exercising the prerogative of the Head of the Royal House of France, on 8 December 2004 the
Count of Paris solemnly resumed protection of the Military and Hospital Order of Saint-Lazare of Jerusalem. This protection has been ensured by all the Heads of the Royal House of France from King Philip IV le Bel to King Louis XVIII.
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that death on Earth is only a rebirth into a world of peace
where Divine mercy and benevolence reign.
The members of the Order of Saint Lazarus offertheir most sincere condolences to the French
Royal Family and pray to the Lord that the Soul of Monseigneur the Count of Paris finds its eternal repose in Paradise, remaining in our memories. We ask God to receive him to Himself along with all the Kings of France who preceded him.

Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was the one of whom the Jews said, “See how much he loved him.” In their sight Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.

Legends abound about the life of Lazarus after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, he, his sisters and others landed safely in Cyprus. There he died peacefully after serving as bishop for 30 years.

A church was built in his honor in Constantinople and some of his reputed relics were transferred there in 890. A Western legend has the oarless boat arriving in Gaul. There he was bishop of Marseilles, was martyred after making a number of converts and was buried in a cave. His relics were transferred to the new cathedral in Autumn in 1146.

It is certain there was early devotion to the saint. Around the year 390, the pilgrim lady Etheria talks of the procession that took place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead. In the West, Passion Sunday was called Dominica de Lazaro, and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday.

Chaplain General of the Grand Priory of Great Britain, Fr Simon Henry, paid a visit to the Catholic Chaplaincy at the University of Bristol, attending a lovely sung Mass in the Chaplaincy Chapel for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
The invitation came from University Chaplain Fr Rupert Allen.
Raising the Order's profile, particularly among young people is one of the aims of newly installed Grand Prior of Great Britain, HE Chev. Anthony Dickinson, to make sure that the Order will have a flourishing future in Great Britain.

A number of members of the Grand Priory of Great Britain took part in a pilgrimage to Rome recently, as part of a larger group from the parish of the Chaplain General for Great Britain. Fifty one of us altogether. One of the highlights was Mass in St Peter's Basilica, very early in the morning, as you can see from the photograph above. Fr Simon celebrated Mass for the pilgrims at the altar of St Margaret Mary, the great devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Members and friends of the Grand Priory of Great Britain
gathered recently in Lancashire in the historic setting of Samlesbury Hall
to prepare new members for reception into the Order. All were honoured once again with the presence of Grand Master of the Order, HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz and also, as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen in the County, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Col. Alan Jolley and his wife, Mary. After Vigil Service, the postulants hear the Marshal instruct them as soldiers of Christ, our unseen Captain.
OUR BATTLE is with the sword.
It is a battle not against flesh and blood, but against the evils of this world,
and against the temptations of the prince of darkness.
The Marshal inverts the sword, gripping its blade so that the Cross-shaped hilt is exposed and says :
This battle is under the sign of the Cross. May no other battle divide mankind.
Returning the sword to its up-right position, he says;
Postulants, behold the sword! Remember always its double significance of both Cross and Arms. Use it to defend what is right and good, and to fight what is wrong and evil, to the greater glory of God, the benefit of those in need, the honour of the Order, and the furthering of your own salvation!
ATAVIS ET ARMIS

An invitation to annual Requiem Mass open to all.

Saturday 10th November

12 noon

Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
and the English Martyrs

18 Garstang Rd, Preston PR1 1NA

Music: Fauré's Requiem

Tea & coffee served afterwards.


High Mass offered for deceased Members and Friends of the Order of St Lazarus

and this year, the day before the 100th Anniversary of the ending of the First World War, also for those who have fallen in war.

With thanks to the Canons of the
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest for their kind hospitality.

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, the annual meeting of the Governing Council Military Order of the Military and Hospitaller Order of the St. Lazarus of Jerusalem was held at the Adalbert Hotel in the premises of the Břevnov Monastery. The Grand Master of the Order Jan Count Dobrzenský from Dobrzenice and other top officials of the Order took part. The delegations of the national jurisdictions of the order from Belgium, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Hungary, Monaco, the United States of America, Switzerland and Great Britain participated in the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Martin Thacker, Baron of Fetternear, Vice-President of the Governing Council. At the beginning, the greeting of the Chaplain General of the Order, Cardinal Duka the Archbishop of Prague, was read. The most important part of the meeting was devoted to the evaluation of the charity projects of the Order and the search for ways to get more funds for their implementation. It also talked about the strategy of acquiring new quality members of the Order and volunteers for orderly and charitable work.
In the second part of the program, the individual national jurisdictions presented their activities. The Grand Priory of Poland informed about the preparation of the Grand General Chapter of the Order to be held in September 2019 in Warsaw. Approximately 250 representatives of each grand priory are expected to attend.
The Prague Session of the Governing Council was organized by the Grand Priory of Bohemia.

With the participation of His Excellence Aldo Amati, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic in the Czech republic, representatives of the Czech and Italian armies, the mayor of the town of Milovice and members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia of the Military and the Hospitaller Order of the St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, a commemorative act for the dead prisoners of war was held in Milovice (Czech republic). The act took place at the Italian Military Cemetery. It is located southwest of the town and was formed during the First World War, when a camp for Italian and Russian prisoners was held in Milovice. At that time, nearly 20 000 men were interned, many of whom died as a result of typhus epidemics and hunger. There are 5170 Italian, 521 Russian and 51 Serbian soldiers buried in the cemetery. These prisoners also took care of the prelate of the Order of St. Lazara, Msgre. ThDr. Antonin Count Bořek-Dohalský from Dohalice.

On the feast of St. Wenceslas in the medieval hall and chapel of Salmesbury Hall, Preston in Lancashire, a solemn vigil for postulants and a gala charity dinner was held by the Grand Priory of Great Britain, hosted by the Grand Prior Anthony Dickinson, KLJ, CMLJ.
The Grand Master, Jan count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz, was present and the Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Col Alan Jolley MBE OStJ, who is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 's deputy representative in the County, accepted a cheque for BLESMA the charity which helps limbless ex service personnel.

You can found new Linkedin company page of the Order of Saint Lazarus on this address: https://www.linkedin.com/company/order-of-saint-lazarus/

On the 1st July, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord, Fr Simon Henry, Chaplain General in Great Britain, celebrated Mass for those suffering from leprosy, at his church in Lancashire. many chaplains of the Order all over the world did likewise, offering a spiritual work of mercy. It was taken up here at the suggestion of our new Grand Prior designate, H.E. Anthony Dickinson.

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

Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ. I really believe that one of the symptoms of modern society (and I would even include, sadly, modern Catholic society) one of the symptoms of a growing, gnawing secularism is the lessening and the weakening of devotion to the Precious Blood. Devotion, as we know, is a composite of three elements: It is first- veneration, it is secondly- invocation, and it is thirdly- imitation. In other words, devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part, which is a composite of knowledge, love and adoration. We are to study to come to a deeper understanding of what those two casual words, Precious Blood, really mean.

I found this passage in the oldest document, outside of sacred scripture, from the first century of the Christian era – to be exact, from Pope St. Clement I, dated about 96 A.D. Says Pope Clement: "Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world."

To understand the meaning of the Precious Blood we must get some comprehension of the gravity of sin, of the awfulness of offending God, because it required the Blood of the Son of God to forgive that sin. We are living in an age in which to sin has become fashionable.

This veneration of the Precious Blood, which is the first element in our devotion to the Precious Blood means that we have a deep sensitivity to the awfulness of sin. Sin must be terrible. It must be awful. It must be the most dreadful thing in the universe. Why? Because it cost the living God in human form the shedding of His Blood.

Excerpted from The Precious Blood of Christ, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

***
Lord Jesus, You became Man in order by your Passion and Death and the draining of your Blood on the Cross, might prove to us how much You, our God, love us. Protect us, dear Jesus, from ever running away from the sight of blood. Strengthen our weak human wills so that we will not only not run away from the cross, but welcome every opportunity to shed our blood in spirit in union with your Precious Blood, so that, dying to ourselves in time we might live with You in Eternity. Amen

One of the oldest and historic cities in Poland - Przemyśl and the former seat of the Princes of Sapieha – Krasiczyn hosted the participants of the Chapter General of Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus from Jerusalem. The events on 8-9 June 2018 are the next important dates in the Orders latest history. Present were, among others, the Grand Master of the Order Jan Count Dobrzensky from Dobrzenicz, Bailli of the Grand Polish Priory - Krzysztof Polasik-Lipiński and
Chancellor of the Grand Priory of Poland Jan Szmyd as well as Bailli of the Grand Priory of Bohemia Ondrej Vanke.
In a beautiful Renaissance castle chapel in Krasiczyn on the eve, that is on Friday, June 8 a preparation for the Investiture was done. During the ceremony three people were admitted as postulants and three others took vows before the Investiture, while all the members of the order renewed their vows.
On the second day the Chapter General took place. The Auxiliary Bishop of Przemyśl Stanisław Jamrozek honored the meeting with his presence. During the Chapter the assembly listened to the reports on the activities of the Commanderies: Kujawsko - Pomorska and Podkarpacka and also talked about their plans, the directions of activities, religious regulations and the design of a
medal. The Chapter was an occasion for everyone to meet with one another, exchange
experiences, hold conversations and it also allowed to experience the sense of unity in the activities carried out by the members.
In the afternoon in front of the Carmelite church of St. Teresa appeared people in their characteristic mantles with green crosses and women with lace mantillas on their heads; and the religious greeting: "Atavis et Armis!" could be heard. A solemn Holy Mass of Investiture was held there. The musical setting was provided by the Archdiocesan Magnificat Choir. The concelebration was presided over by Archbishop Senior Jozef Michalik who also gave his homily. During the Eucharist three postulants - a sister and two brothers - received the mantles of the order, thus becoming members of the order. Promotions to higher ranks and decorations were given as well. Guests and representatives of both Commandories also visited the Arboretum and the Department of Physiography in Bolestraszyce and met with the volunteers associated with the Order. Meeting with the Archbishop Józef Michalik and President of Przemysl Robert Choma were significant moments of that event. The Chapter General and Ceremonies were attended by the representatives of the Kujawsko-Pomorska and Podkarpacka Commanderies as well as by the Delegation from Zamość.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool celebrated Pontifical High Mass for the Ordination of Deacon Seth Phipps to the sacred Priesthood at the Shrine of St Mary in Warrington, Lancashire last Saturday. The Shrine is run by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. It is the second year that the Archbishop has celebrated ordinations there and only the second time ordinations have been conducted in the Traditional Form of the Roman Rite in Great Britain in the last 50 years.
Present was Great Britain's Chaplain General, representing the Order of St Lazarus,
at this wonderful occasion, offering our prayers and congratulations to the new priest,
Fr Seth Phipps, FSSP.

The memorial service and cremation of the late Dame Elizabeth Douglas DStLJ was held in Clydebank Scotland this morning.
Libby had been ill for a while and she passed away on 23 May 2018.
Friends and relatives gathered for the simple service.
Present also, representing the order of St Lazarus, were,
The Grand Prior of Great Britain HE Anthony Dickinson KLJ CMLJ
The Grand Priory Chaplain Fr Simon Henry ECLJ GOMLJ
The Hospitaller Chev Liam Hackett OStJ KLJ CMLJ
Chev Daniel Lawler KLJ MMLJ and
Dame Margaret Lawler DStJ MMLJ
Elizabeth A Douglas 15th May 1937- 25th May 2018
Requiescat in Pace +++

Hungarian President János Áder awarded our Grand Chaplain General Dominic Cardinal Duka the State Medal of the Cross with a Star of the Order of Merit of Hungary.
This is an important award to the Archbishop of Prague .
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Hungarian Parliament László Kövér, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén and Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Ostrihom-Budapest.
Deputy Prime Minister Semjen in a speech praised Cardinal Duka as a devoted friend of Hungary.
The President of the Hungarian Parliament, László Kövér, then personally presented the medal in the Parliament building in Budapest on the 23 rd May.
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem congratulates our Grand Chaplain General on this prestigous bestowal of recognition.

On the 12th of May in the Old Town Square in Prague, there was a meeting of more than two hundred followers of the renewal of the Marian column, a cultural monument of European significance and the first Baroque statue in Bohemia. The Column was pulled by the street crowd as an alleged symbol of the monarchy on 3 November 1918 in a vandalistic manner. The Grand Priory of Bohemia has been supporting the rebuilding of the column for many years. On the Old Town Square, the pilgrims on the Old Town Square drew three and a half tons of block, one of the stones, which should be part of the architecture of the future Marian column. The restoration of the monument has a valid territorial decision, the architecture, the pillar and the statue of Virgin Mary have just been finished after 27 years of sculpture and stonework, and the implementers are ready to be installed. The beginning of the construction is prevented only by deliberate administrative delays by the opponents of the column.

In cooperation with the Grand Priory of Bohemia, the event "Audience at the Emperor Charles" took place traditionally in the town of Brandys nad Labem - Stara Boleslav (Czech republic), where this last monarch of the Habsburg monarchy lived. Emperor Charles was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Part of the program was a show of historical military units and the Holy Mass in the Basilica of St. Wenceslas. Honorary guests were Archduke Georg Habsburg-Lothringen and Archduchess Gabriela Habsburg-Lothringen, the grandchildren of Blessed Charles.

The annual Chapter meeting of the Grand Priory of Great Britain took place in Lancashire. Members of the Grand Priory were delighted to give our wholehearted assent to the Grand Master's appointment of H.E. Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ CMLJ as new Grand Prior. H.E. The Grand Master, Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz, writes:
"He will enjoy my full confidence, protection and respect. Success within the Order has been based upon unity, fraternal respect and Christian love. As members in Great Britain it is my wish that you embrace and support the leadership of your new Grand Prior and assist him in this challenging vocation. I commend this mission to you."
The Grand Prior outlined a strategic plan for Grand Priory of Great Britain to move forward with some bold new initiatives and some welcome encouragement for our existing and prospective new members - already petitioning to become our brothers and sisters at our Investiture later this year on 28th and 29th September.

On Thursday, April 26th, the Archbishop of Prague Dominik Cardinal Duka OP, celebrated his 75th birthday.
He is also the General Chaplain of the Military and Hospital Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
The 50th Grand Master of the Order Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz GCLJ-J, and some members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia had the opportunity to congratulate their General Chaplain for his jubilee on Saturday, April 21, in the garden of the Archbishop's Palace.
They thanked him for his help and cooperation to the order, and as a gift of the Grand Priory of Bohemia, they handed him a painting by the artist Zdirad Čech, EOSSP, KCLJ.
The painting is of the church of St. Marcelina and Peter in Rome, the titular church of the cardinal, together with his coat of arms and the arms of the cardinals who preceded him in this church.
Members of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem wish the General Chaplain of the Order a very happy birthday,God's blessings and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, necessary for the performance of his demanding pastoral profession.

Grand Master of the Order and members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia took part in the solemn return of the remains of Cardinal Josef Beran. Cardinal Josef Beran was imprisoned by the Nazi and Communist regimes. After his travel to Second Vatican Council, the Communist government in Czechoslovakia refused his return to homeland. During the festive Mass, served by His Eminence Dominik Cardinal Duka OP, GCLJ, the remains were exhibited at the The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert and then stored in the crypt. Beran's Beatitude process is ongoing.

Hæc dies quam fecit Dominus, Alleluia!
The recent atrocity in Paris focuses our mind on the call to embrace a sacrificial life of service, understanding that during this season “Christ became obedient for us, even to death, death on a cross.” It is a reminder that to fully understand the glory of the Resurrection, we must first experience the tribulations of Holy Week.
The Declaration of Legitimacy, promulgated in 2013, encompasses the essence of who we are as an ancient Order of Chivalry. During this most glorious of Solemnities I ask you to contemplate the importance of its opening exhortation: “The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is, since its origin in the Holy Land, a Catholic institution. Its spiritual vocation was solidified with the search for Christian unity during the nineteenth century.”
In a very real sense it re-enforces our identity through 3 clear facets: Tradition as we embrace our foundations in the very city where Our Lord walked the road to Calvary and Easter; Catholicity as a universal Order reaching out to all people of good will with the offer of God's mercy, so often spoken of by our Holy Father Pope Francis; and Spirituality through which we support the marginalised, the abandoned and the sick.
The Apostolic Exhortation Laudato Si speaks of a spirituality that embraces the whole of creation. It reminds us that the Earth, as our mother and common home, requires protection. In these simple words, our Holy Father is challenging us to cultivate a spiritual awareness that does not put man above all creation, rather placing ourselves at the service of God’s beautiful works.
In a subsequent address to the Polish Bishops, our Holy Father focused on two pillars of the Gospel which I see as fundamental tenets for us to follow in the Order. He acknowledged that Christ’s teaching, “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me” has to be underpinned by a genuine belief in the Beatitudes. It is, in fact, through these teachings that we promise serve God as brothers and sisters in the Order of Saint Lazarus.
The hardship of Holy Week reminds us of the broken world in which we live. The joy of Easter reminds us of the hope to which our Faith and our vocation calls us. Our Blessed Lord himself reminds us that those who are truly blessed are those who share the qualities that He values; these are what make us truly noble, not the qualities valued by the world.
I pray that you and your families will have a blessed Eastertide and go forth with new hope.
In the name of God, the Virgin Mary and Saint Lazarus,
Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz
50th Grand Master

On 16-18th March, members and postulants of the Grand Priory of Bohemia had the opportunity to participate in three-day Lenten Recollections at the International Center for Spiritual Restoration in Hejnice. The tradition of Lent Recollections in Hejnice was created thanks to the efforts of two members of the Order - Miloš Raban, SChLJ and the commander of the North Bohemian delegation chev. Antonín Schauer, KCLJ, who have organized the recollections of the North Bohemian delegation in 2008 (Miloš Raban died 2011, Antonín Schauer died 2017).
This year, the 10th recollections for members of the Grand Priory of Bohemia was held in Hejnice. The programme began on Friday afternoon with the dedication of the cross-way in the cloister of the Basilica. The main block of lectures was held on the second day by P. Milan Badal, ECLJ, secretary of the cardinal Dominik Duka.

Invitation to the upcoming investiture of the Grand Priory of the USA.
His Excellency Lord Thierry Pauquet of Villejust, KCLJ-J, M.M., Grand Prior of the USA and The Officers of the Grand Priory request the honor of your company at the official investiture ceremony of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, Saturday April 28th, 2018 at the Church St Mary & Ursuline Convent, along with the investiture gala & events that will be hosted at Arnaud´s Restaurant.
In the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Clotilde d´Orleans, DGCLJ-J.
Investiture at Saint Mary 3pm - Gala Dinner at Arnaud 6:30pm, New Orleans, Lousiana. USA - Dinner is 120 dollars per person. To place your reservation, please email: info@saintlazarususa.com.

In Rougemont, Switzerland, a ceremonial mass was held on the occasion of the reactivation of the Grand Priory of Switzerland. On that occasion, the Grand Master made an act of admission and promotion. Celebrations were honored by the presence of several royal and diplomatic figures. A charity dinner followed in favor of the Grand Priory of Switzerland.

The February meeting of the Commandery Prague of the Grand Priory of Bohemia took place at the beginning of the Lent. The meeting began with Holy Mass in the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and St. Charles the Great in Prague. Then they all remembered the third anniversary of the Apolinář Clinic. This clinic provides free legal advice to clients of the Addictology clinic of the General University Hospital in Prague. The counseling activity was reviewed by csr. Lenka Šalamoun, SBLJ and it outlined the plans for the future. The guest Mgr. Martin Vlček, therapist of the Addictology clinic, thanked for all the work of the Apolinář Clinic.

Mass, investiture and promotions of new members of the Swiss Commandery was celebrated by Mons. Waclaw Depo, Archbishop of the Czestochowa, and by Mons. Slawomir Kawecki, priest of the Collonge-Bellerive, in Geneva.

One of our former members, Cons Jean Yates, dies today (13th January 2018) after a short illness. She was a devoted servant of Holy Mother Church. May God grant her eternal rest and comfort her family at this time.

Grand Priory of Bohemia celebrated St. Basil the Great, Patron Saint of the Order, during the Holy Mass on 9th January 2018. Mass was celebrated by R. D. Pavel Porochnavec, ECLJ, at St. Wenceslas Cathedral in Prague. Homily from His Grace Mons. Jiří Hladík, ECLJ.

After the Christian forces were expelled from the Holy Land, Boigny was the first commandery given to the Order of St Lazarus in France by King Philip IV in 1308. The chateau, church and lands, though no longer in the possession of the Order, still bear those historical links. The Grand Priory of France celebrated here the feast of St. Lazarus, main Patron Saint of the Order, in December 2017.

The Order´s day of the Grand Priory of Bohemia was held in Prague (9th December 2017) with the participation of the Grandmaster of the Order, Jan Count Dobrzenský and Chaplain General, Dominik Cardinal Duka, Archbishop of Prague. Order´s day were also a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Grand Priory of Bohemia. Grand Priory of Bohemia was founded in 1937 by Charles VI. Prince Schwarzenberg. Also the most important charity activities (support for Children Mental Hospital in Opařany, counseling "Apolinář"...) were presented to guests during the Order's day.

Chev. Ing. Antonín Schauer, KCLJ, GCMLJ (12th December 1940 - 24th November 2017)
Message from the Grand Master:
My Dearest Antonin.
I will miss you tremendously.
You have been a wonderful friend, the most noblessny a gentleman could have been ,and an example to all as a Knight of Saint Lazarus.
Your Christian Qualities in the defense of our cause to the sick, the poor, and the needless has always been upheld by you, Antonin. as your personal Credo.
And that peaceful and smiling face. The sunshine of The Grand Priory of Bohemia.
We will all miss you but we will never forget you. Here on earth, we pray for your soul.
Without a doubt the place reserved for you alongside the Almighty is the best compensation for this accomplished life on this earth.
May you look down upon us and continue to guide your Friends and Brothers from The Grand Priory of Bohemia.
And to Radka and your family we shall care to honour your memory with our prayers.
Yes, my Dear Antonin, this is not an eternal goodbye but only a short goodday from all your friends who send you their brotherly love.
May you rest in peace from your friend and Brother Jenda.
Jan count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz, Grand Master et Grand Prior of Bohemia

Solemn High Mass of Requiem with the Fauré setting sung by the Octavius Singers today (18th November) at English Martyrs Church, Preston.
There were very happy to welcome Father Simon Henry for this Requiem for the deceased members of the Order.

Brussels was the setting for the annual meeting of the Chapter of the Governing Council this year, hosted by the Grand Priory of Belgium and Luxemburg. Following on from the business meetings, where we heard reports of the great charitable work being done by members of the Order throughout the world, members gathered in the beautiful church of St Nicholas in the heart of Brussels for Holy Mass and the investiture of new members, as well as promotions.

The Grand Priory of Great Britain
will celebrate it's annual Mass
offered for the souls of deceased members, benefactors and friends on

Saturday 18th November at 11.30am

in the

Church of St Thomas and the English Martyrs

Garstang Road, Preston.

Further details to follow.

There is a fine pipe organ at the church and we are very pleased that
Mr David Scott-Thomas will accompany the Octavius Choir in providing

Faurés Requiem

as the Mass setting.
It will be Solemn Mass in the Traditional Form.

Our thanks also to the Canons of the Institute of Christ the King
for allowing welcoming us to their church.

19th August 2017, the Grand Priory of Great Britain held the annual Solemn Mass of Investiture at the conventual church of St Catherine Labourè in Farington Lancashire.
After Holy Mass
The Grand Prior HE The Baron Fetternear assisted by the Grand Priory Chaplain General Fr Simon Henry and The Grand Priory Chancellor Fr Mark Lawler promoted members within the Order and the Order of Merit.
The special guest of honour was the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Colonel Alan Jolley .
Those promoted were....
Andrew McDermot from Brother to Serving Brother.
Brian Williamson from Brother to Chevalier(Knight).
Rev Fr William Charlton to Senior Chaplain.
The Order of Merit.
Senior Chaplain and the Grand Priory Chancellor, the Rev Fr.Mark Lawler and Chevalier William Hackett ,the Grand Priory Hospitaller , were both created Commanders in the Order of Merit for their service to the Order of St Lazarus both here and Internationally.

The annual Vigil Service for the Grand Priory of Great Britain was held last night (Friday 18th August) in the conventual church of St Catherine Labourè,Farington Lancashire.
Members of the Grand Priory renewed their vows and afterwards had supper in a local restaurant.

Please visit the New website of the Grand Priory of the USA !
www.saintlazarususa.com

The annual Chapter of the Grand Priory of Monaco took place on 10th June at Castelet in the presence of Monsignor Dominique Rey, Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon. Also present were HE Count Jan Dobrzenskÿ z Dobrzenicz, Grand Master of Order and HE Prince Charles-Philippe d' Orléans, Duke of Anjou and Grand Master Emeritus, now Grand Prior of France and President of the Governing Council of the Order.
On this occasion Archbishop Rey received the Grand Cross of the Order, becoming a Prelate Grand Cross. In addition, one new Consoeur and seven new Confreres entered the Order, whilst eight members were promoted. Thanks be to God.
Bishop Rey is renowned far beyond his own diocese in the south of France for his forward thinking and the number of ordinations he draws to his diocese, bucking the trend of most dioceses in the western world. Also, for his support of tradition in the Church. For the past several years he has been the inspiration behind an innovative Liturgical Conference - Sacra Liturgia - this year held in Milan (and previously in Rome and London). To say nothing of the annual festival of St Tropez (the Bravade), which draws thousands to take part in the three-day spectacle every year.

Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ was presented with a Benemerenti. The Benemerenti Medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award to soldiers in the Papal Army, the medal was later extended to the clergy and the laity for service to the Church. The Inscription reads:
The Supreme Pontiff Francis has deigned to decree and freely bestow on the well–deserving gentleman Anthony Dickinson, a gold medal, established to recognise exemplary Christian service, granting him the faculty of being decorated with this honour.

Pope Francis has recalled the 75th anniversary of the Lidice massacre at the hands of the Nazi regime during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday.
In a special Czech-language greeting to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father invited them to rely “with trust on the intercession of the Holy Virgin, whom you venerate in the icon of the Madonna of Lidice”. He prayed Our Lady help them “to be courageous witnesses of the Resurrection of Christ, especially in difficult or trying moments”.
The group is participating in a national pilgrimage being led by Cardinal Dominik Duka, Archbishop of Prague and Chaplain General of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, which brought the icon to Rome. Icon of the Madonna of Lidice was hand-painted by Chevalier Zdirad Čech and from 1th June 2017 is located in Church of Saint Marcellinus and Peter. This church is titular church of cardinal Duka.
*The village of Lidice (then in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and now in the Czech Republic) was completely destroyed by Nazi troops in 1942.

Cardinal Duka, Chaplain General of the Order, led the celebrations for the feast of St John Nepomuk, Patron Saint of Prague, last week. A splendid Mass in the packed Cathedral celebrated by the Cardinal, who was joined by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza with about forty priests in attendance, many seminarians, members of the Order and Chaplain General from Great Britain, Fr Simon Henry as well. In the morning before the Mass, Cardinal Duka received Fr Simon in his office in the Archbishops Palace for a short meeting.

From May 5th till May 6th, 2017 the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem made their first pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Jasna Góra. It was organized by the Grand Priory of Poland of OSLJ. In this place – so unique for all Poles – an Investiture was also held during which four postulants were admitted to the Order: two sisters and two brothers; and promotions were received by Rev. Prelate Józef Bar and Mariusz Bieńczak from Podkarpacka Commandery as well as by Rev. Prelate Józef Kubalewski and Andrzej Mamys from Kujawsko-Pomorska Commandery.

During the celebration we were honoured by the presence of the representatives of the Grand Priory of Czech Republic with the Grand Master of the Order - Jan Count Dobrzensky from Dobrzenicz, baili Ondrej Vanke and the Chancellor  Petr Rehor.

During the two – day pilgrimage there was also time to see the most precious collections of the history of the Polish nation gathered by the Puline Friars in Jasna Góra. The greatest treasure of the Marian Shrine is the Miraculous Icon of Black Madonna placed in the main altar in the Chapel of Our Lady, which already Jan Długosz himself described in Liber Beneficiorum. The Icon is surrounded by great love of all Poles and it has been receiving due veneration for ages.

There was also a moment for a personal reflection and prayer before the Icon of Our Lady of Jasna Góra – the Patroness of Poland.

Memorabilia of the Order by Grand Priory of Bohemia (design by Zdirad Čech) for sale. Prices valid for members of the Order only (plus postage and packing). For order send email to: linhartova@stavitelstvirehor.cz

On December 17, 2016, Bailli of the Grand Priory of Poland chevalier Krzysztof Polasik-Lipiński was appointed a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. The award was presented to him by HE. bishop Jan Tyrawa during the Holy Mass dedicated to the memory of St. Lazarus in Bydgoszcz. This Holy Mass was attended by church representatives and Bydgoszcz city authorities.

On December 10, 2016,
the 50th Grand Master of The Order of Saint Lazarus H. E. Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenic was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
The award was presented to him by HE. Dominik Cardinal Duka during the General Chapter of the OSLJ - Bohemia in Prague.
On the same occasion the Cardinal presented the Knight´s Cross of the Order of St. Sylvester to Chevalier Zdirad Čech, who is an expert and painter of European heraldry.