Thursday, January 15, 2009 Bishop to preside knighthood investiture
BACOLOD Bishop Vicente M. Narvarra will preside over the solemn investiture of the knighthood of Pope St. Sylvester and the official conferment of the Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice on six lay persons of the Diocese of Bacolod at San Sebastian Cathedral on Monday.
To be raised to the noble rank of Knight Commander with the Badge of the Papal Order are Benjamin Lopue Jr., Nestor Gabalda and Modesto Sa-onoy.
To be awarded with the medal of the Holy Cross are Maria Theresa Causing, Amparo Ferraris, and Erlinda Ledesma.
The Knighthood of St. Sylvester is the oldest and most prized Papal Award but due to its antiquity, its actual date of establishment can no longer be traced, except for a series of Papal Briefs dating back several centuries which defines the criteria for the grant of this knighthood.
The knighthood is given to lay persons "actively involved in the life of the Church, particularly as exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties and mastery of different arts."
It was known prior to October 31, 1841 as the Order of the Golden Militia or Golden Spur. Also on this day, Pope Gregory XVI forbade its grant, use of the title and decorations by any knight except through a Papal Brief or written order of the Pope.
He also limited the number of commanders to 150 and knights to 300 for the Papal States and is to be given only by him as Sovereign of the Papal States or the Vatican and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.
The rank of commander is the highest class of the Order.
The medal, known as the Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, is given to lay men and women "in recognition of their outstanding services to the Church and the Papacy."
