The Dames and Knights of the Equestrian Order gathered to celebrate Our Lady Queen of Palestine Feast Day at Saint Agustine Cathedral on 26 October 2025. The Most Reverend Gerald Kicanas, Apostolic Administrator Diocese of Tucson was the celebrant. Our Lady Queen of Palestine Feast Day is one of four Feast Days that is celebrated by the Equestrian Order. As this Mass was a regularly scheduled Mass at the Cathedral, Bishop Kicanas shared the history and mission of the Order to the faithful in attendance. He spoke of the current situation in the Holy Land and asked for continued prayers for peace.
The Feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine is celebrated to honor Mary’s spiritual patronage over the Holy Land and her role as intercessor for peace among its diverse peoples. Established in 1920 by Patriarch Luigi Barlassina, who consecrated the Diocese of Jerusalem to Mary under the title Queen of Palestine. Officially recognized by Pope John Paul II in 1994 as the Patroness of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The feast is especially meaningful to Knights and Dames of the Order, who serve the Church in the Holy Land and promote peace and justice. Mary is invoked as Queen of Peace, interceding for Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Palestinians, Israelis, migrant workers, and refugees. The feast emphasizes dialogue, reconciliation, and hope amid the suffering and division in the Holy Land. Prayers ask Mary to teach the faithful to “speak and pray, act and obey” as Christ did, especially in the land called to be holy. Celebrated in all Lieutenancies of the Equestrian Order, often with Masses, reflections, and prayers for peace. The feast blends devotion with civic responsibility, urging believers to be witnesses of Christ and agents of peace in society.
In his homily Bishop Kicanas focused on the forgiveness of God and that we in turn should be forgivers. We must always trust in the Lord and turn to the Lord for compassion.
The honor of participating in a Mass that celebrates Our Lady Queen of Palestine adds solemnity to the Mass. We continue to ask for the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Palestine as we pray for peace in the Holy Land and for support of Christians in the Holy Land.
