It is with deep sadness that we announce that the XLIX Grand Master of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, His Excellency, Don Carlos Gereda y de Borbón, Marqués de Almazán, passed away at 7.00am on Tuesday 29th August 2017 at his residence in Madrid, Spain.
He had been hospitalized a few weeks ago but after nearly...
moreThe International Pilgrimage of the Order in June was a great success, increased by the attendance of the Grand Master and the Grand Master Emeritus, and everyone attending was very appreciative of the work and effort that had gone into preparing for the event. The weather was perfect: not too hot, with glorious sunshine throughout. It would be difficult to choose better locations anywhere in Italy. Both Palermo and Monreale are filled with magnificent ancient monuments and churches steeped in history. The atmosphere among members attending was formal where required, but generally...
moreThe Grand Master Emeritus, the Duke of Seville, visited London on 16th May to attend the Annual Banquet of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights at the Mansion House. The purpose of the visit was to support the Grand Priory of England and Wales and, in particular, its Vice Chancellor Chev Alan Culverhouse KCLJ who is currently Master of this ancient livery Company.
The beautiful setting of St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London saw the National Investiture of the Grand Priory of England and Wales on Saturday 29th April 2017.
With over 150 members, visitors and guests in attendance, the Choir of St Paul’s sang the Introit ‘I was glad’ as the Investing Officer, the Bailiff H.E. The Chevalier Charles Holloway GCLJ, KMLJ,...
moreOver 70 members and guests gathered in the prestigious surroundings of the Cholmondeley Room of the House of Lords on the evening of 14 November for a charity dinner, hosted by our Grand Prior, the Marquis of Lothian. Every Commandery was represented, and we were pleased to be able to welcome guests from farther afield, including Chev. Lars Sahlin KCLJ, the Chair of the International Public Relations Committee, and his wife Irene, who had travelled from Sweden to join the festivities.
Inspired by a rallying pre-pilgrimage itinerary message from Fr Ian Evans QHC, SChLJ, the Chaplain-General, eighteen pilgrims, under the auspices of the Commandery of Wales, made the 250-mile journey on Friday 22nd July 2016 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Six of the group were first time Walsingham pilgrims.
After Vespers and supper, the pilgrim group gathered in The Orangery for an illustrated lecture on the history of Walsingham given by the Commander of Wales, Dr David Woolf KLJ, a Member of the Order of Our Lady of Walsingham.
A new water purification unit has been installed at the Leprosy Hospital of Believers’ Church of Purulia, India, sponsored by the Order of St Lazarus and organised by Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission, India. The money was raised by members of the Commandery of John of Gaunt. Samir from Purulia writes that it has been of enormous benefit for...
moreThe 2016 Spring National Vigil & Investiture of the Grand Priory took place at Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire, hosted by the Commandery of Wales whose Commander, Chevalier Dr David Woolf KLJ, is to be congratulated on his hard work and attention to detail, which contributed in no small part to a successful occasion.
Nearly 70 members and guests attended the Vigil at...
moreFor the past year, the St Lazarus Charitable Trust has been able to support the work of Canon Pat Atkinson and the Vidiyal Trust, working in one of the most deprived areas of India. Canon Pat wrote in January:
“Today has been a red letter day in that I have been able to gain entry to the government leprosy home and clinic. It has taken 2 years, but I am over the moon to have finally broken a big barrier down! I have spent the whole of this afternoon with the patients, most of whom are severely disfigured. Several from the colony we have been helping for the past couple of years...
moreOver 25 years ago, leading members of the Order concluded that corruption and inadequate governance were barriers to development and reducing the impact of foreign aid in many ‘third world’ countries; and also significantly reducing the benefits that local populations were receiving from the exploitation of natural resources. The Order's International Governance Initiative was established to address these and related issues such as reducing fraud and promoting responsible and ethical practices in business and Government. It has been headed since its formation by Prof. Colin Coulson-Thomas...
more