Organizations emulating the “Franciscan good works”
TORONTO – The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Canada-Toronto Lieutenancy) held its Investiture/Promotions event Saturday, October 5, 2025, at the prestigious Albany Club in Old Toronto. The Order is headed by Lieutenant Dr. Colin Sadanha, H.E. and operates under the auspices of the Archbishop of the [Catholic] Diocese of Toronto, His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo.
Cardinal Leo celebrated a Mass in the Cathedral, prior to the luncheon ceremony, as part of the dedication of the purpose and vision of the Equestrian Order and the induction of new members and promotion of existing ones. It will come as no surprise to devotees of St. Francis, whose feast day was in fact the 4th of October. That the Order’s main purpose is to fulfill the vision of embodiment of Christianity – perform good works that bear testimony to the message of Christianity.
In today’s world it is to help others who cannot help themselves. Dr. Saldanha announced the fulfillment of last year’s goal to raise $1,000,000 in in aid of the sick, injured, and homeless resulting from the conflict in Gaza. This year has already seen the launch of a similar project but at double the amount by a benefactor who immediately put up $300,000 as a challenge.
The Equestrians are long-standing organization dating to 1099 AD and the first crusade. Initially both military and clerical (spiritual) in scope, it is a purely lay society dedicated to good works and raising of funds for the underprivileged. This year, the Equestrians welcomed as guest speaker the Hon. Jason Kenny, former minister of immigration, as well as former Premier of Alberta. They wished to acknowledge his help in facilitating the safe existing of Christians from the war-torn Middle East.
Among ten [inductee] new members, five are of Italian background; and, of the eighteen promoted in rank four share our ethic heritage.
Congratulations.
Here are all the names. New Members: Sir Agene Francis Asakome, Rev. do Stephen Joseph Bruzzese, Dame Onorina Carabetta, Sir Mario Di Tommaso, Sir Andrei Dias, Sir Thomas Ingnatius Gang Wang, Dame Laura Ieraci, Sir Vincent Robert Pucci, Sir Thomasi Geoffrey Rawlinson, Rev. do Andrew Summerson. Promoted in Rank: Dame Margaret da Silva, Sir Lubomir Alexov, Dame Maria Alexov, Sir Paul Larocque, Dame Evelyn Manalo, Dame Maria Luz Manalo, Dame Teresa Angelia Morier, Sir Antonio Giuseppe Nigro, Dame Antonella Nardulli Nigro, Sir Arthur Peters, Sir Froilan S. Pulumbarit, Dame Felisa Malaya Pulumbarit, Sir Patrick Daniel Robertson, Sir John Patrick Savage, Dame Rosa Anna Savage, Sir Antonio Tolomei, Dame Maria Tolomei, Sir Stefan-Michael Wedenig.
Here below is a photo gallery with some moments from the evening (photo: Corriere Canadese and Maria Alzira Lima / Correio Canadiano)
