FAQs

Q. How old do I have to be to become a Squire?
The minimum age at the time of Investiture is 20, and the maximum age is 35.
Q. What are the requirements for admission to the Fellowship of Squires?
To qualify to become a Squire, one must
• Be a baptized, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, have a deep, living Faith, and be committed to being a witness to the Faith;
• Be of unblemished moral character, leading an exemplary Christian life with no irregularities in one's life;
• Receive the Sacraments regularly;
• Have served or contributed in some way to one's parish or to the wider Catholic community;
• Have attained the age of 20, but be no older than 35 at the time of Investiture.
Q. Is there a formation period?
There is a period of discernment and formation for Squire candidates, which is a minimum of six months and up to a year prior to Investiture. After Investiture, Squires continue with ongoing formation about the Order and its work in the Holy Land, attending Section Masses & liturgies, and attending the biannual Days of Reflection.
Q. Is there a cost to becoming or being a Squire?
There are no dues or financial obligations asked of Squires.
Q. Is there a commitment?
At Investiture, Squires make formal promises to remain a Squire for one year. Afterwards, ​one can remain a Squire as long as one ​wishes.
Q. What are the duties and obligations of being a Squire?
Squires are asked to -
• Assist at Liturgies/Masses (this may be as an Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister or altar server);
• Attend the Lenten and Advent Days of Reflection (the Section's one-day retreats);
• Participate in the liturgical life of the Section, as much as one is able.
• Participate with the Section in liturgical events at the invitation of the Bishop of Covington (i.e. pontifical masses, benedictions, Vespers, Prayer Services, etc.)
Q. What are the benefits from being associated with the Equestrian Order?
Association with the Knights and Dames benefit an individual in a number of positive ways:
• Spiritual growth as a participant in section and Diocesan liturgical events;
• Fraternity with fellow Catholics that may include social and professional connections as well as spirtitual guidance from clergy members;
• Association with an ancient eccleiastical Order and Papal Order of Chivalrd with a history and tradition nearly a thousand years old.
Q. Can I become a Knight or Dame after being a Squire?
Yes, as long as an individual has been a Squire a minimum of one year, has attained at least 25 years of age, and qualifies in all other respects for membership in the Order.

To apply to become a Squire, download an application by clicking HERE. Send the completed form to: squires@eohsjcovington.org.
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New Squire to be Invested Dec 6

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - It is with joy that the Covington-Lexington Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem announces the investiture of Mr. Zachary P. Trauth, to take place on Saturday afternoon, Dec 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel on the campus of Thomas More University. Mr. Trauth is the eighth member of the Squires to be invested by the Section into the North Central Lieutenancy's Fellowship of Squires.

Mr. Trauth is a junior at Thomas More University (TMU) and is involved in campus ministry and with the Bishop Roger J. Foys Scholars Program. He is also a violinist and is involved in Music Ministry at Covington Latin School, Thomas More University, and St. Therese Parish, Southgate.

The Fellowship of Squires is comprised of Catholic men and women, age 20-35, who wish to engage in a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life and experience in Christ through association with and guidance from the Knights and Dames of the Order. At the time of becoming a Squire, one makes a personal commitment to Christian formation of the interior life, and to prayer and charitable activity for the Christians of the Holy Land. This life is centered around the knightly virtues of the Order, which are represented by the five crosses on the Jerusalem Cross that symbolizes the Five Wounds of Christ.


The first Squires invested in the history of the United State on Sept 14, 2023 at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Thomas More University. Squires originated in France in 1923. Messenger Photo.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre is an ecclesiastical order of the Holy See and a Pontifical Order of Chivalry whose origins date to 1099 AD and the First Crusade. Together with the Sovereign Order of Malta, it is the oldest Order of Chivalry in the world.

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2025 Squires with Squire Master, Sir Nelson Rodriguez, KC*HS. (Messenger Photos)

Squires assist in the Mass as crucifers, servers, lectors and distributors.

The Fellowship of Squires is an association of young Catholics of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem within the North Central Lieutenancy and Covington-Lexington Section in the Diocese of Covington. Squires are associate members of the Equestrian Order and thus constitute a Fellowship of Catholic men and women wishing to engage in a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life experience through association with Knights and Dames of the Order, so that one may grow and deepen one's faith in the virtues that lead to a true following of the Lord.

This requires a commitment to oneself and to the Lord. It is a process of learning and growth. Squires seek, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, a “school at the service of the Lord”, and a school in service to the Christians of the Holy Land.

At the time of coming into the Squires, one makes a commitment to Christian formation of the interior life and to charitable activity directed toward the Christians of the Holy Land. This life is centered around the knightly virtues of the Order, which are represented by the Jerusalem Cross that symbolizes the Five Wounds of Christ.

An interested individual typically attends one or more of the Order's events or liturgical functions, or they may meet with another Squire, a Knight or Dame. Interested individuals ultimately download an application, fill it out and send it in. Applications are reviewed by the Section Council at which time the applicant becomes a Candidate. Candidates participate in a discernment and formation period of from a minimum of six months up to a year. During this period leading to Investiture, Candidates are guided by the Section Prior in their formation.
     At Investiture, Candidates make the promise to remain a Squire for at least one year. During that time, he or she is privileged to share in the life and spirituality of the Order through participation in the community of the local Section. According to Rev. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell, DPhil, KCHS, Section Prior and Vice-Chancellor of Squires for the North Central Lieutenancy, this commitment Squires seek is founded on three pillars: "formation in Catholic doctrine, a deepening of the spiritual life, and the practice of works of charity and prayer in favor of the Christians of the Holy Land. There are no dues or financial obligations asked of a Squire.
     A Squire’s participation in the Section and its liturgical life is the best way to deepen one's spirituality and grow in the Faith. Squires participate in pontifical masses and liturgical events at the invitation of the Bishop of Covington. They may also participate and assisting at the Section's own liturgies. One may also participate in the Section’s retreats or in an organized event.
     Squires have access to mentors among the Knights, Dames and clergy, from whom they can find guidance in their spirituality as well as in their pursuit of life experience as they enter the workforce.

History of Squires

    Squires of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were established in 1923 by Baron de Lormais, chancellor of the Lieutenancy of France, who wanted to interest young people in works of charity and prayer in favor of the Christians of Palestine. Its statutes were adopted and approved by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who encouraged their adoption by other countries. The Squires disappeared during the Second World War, but after the war, France re-established the Squire movement which continues to grow today.
    Since then, the Squires movement has spread to Toronto and Montreal in Canada, and most recently to the United States, where the Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni, KGCHS, gave his approval for its formation in the North Central Lieutenancy, with the first Squires attached to the Covington-Lexington Section in the Dioceses of Covington and Lexington.
    Young Catholic men and women should find being a Squire exhilarating and having the potential to give a deeper meaning to their lives. We hope this is what our future Squires will discover who will join us.