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The Order is not merely honorific and requires its members to actively practice the Gospel virtues. It is specifically tasked and entrusted by the Holy See to administer support of Christianity in the Holy Lands, including, but not limited to restoring and renovating Holy sites, building schools and maintain abbeys, monasteries and convents and to providing financial assistance to the poor in the Holy Lands. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a juridically recognized institution governed by the Grand Master, who is appointed by the Supreme Pontiff, aided by the Grand Magisterium. The specific mission assigned to the Order by the Holy Father is to have the ecclesial community at heart and to nourish zeal toward the Land of Christ in order to support the Catholic Church and the Christian presence there. At the same time, the principal aim of the Order lies in the spiritual growth of its members. This is achieved by appropriate religious formation retreats addressed to every Knight and every Dame of the Order, so that they may consolidate their own indispensable relationship with the Lord Jesus, especially in prayer, in meditation on the Sacred Scriptures and in furthering their knowledge of the doctrine of the Church. The result is a valid service of authority by exemplary orientation of an intense spiritual life and true following of the Lord.
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