LAPLACE — There are over 300 of them locally. Nationwide, their membership runs into the thousands.

Part of the second oldest chivalry order in the Roman Catholic Church, Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem work to keep religious sites safe overseas.

The St. John the Baptist Parish group falls under the Archdiocese of New Orleans section of the Southeastern Lieutenancy, according to Chancellor Mark Rodi. There are approximately 1,800 members in the Lieutenancy and 350 active local members.

“The order goes back to 1099, when the Christian Knights began the first crusade in the Holy Land to drive invaders out,” Rodi said. “There are three main purposes of the order. The first one is to make sure devoted Catholics enrich their spiritual life and spiritual activity. The second is to protect the Christians present in the Holy Land and protecting the Holy sites. The third purpose is to demonstrate in the contemporary world the benevolence of virtue.”

Rodi, a realtor, resides in Metairie where the local order’s office is located.

The Knights and Ladies don’t pay dues; they are asked to give donations that go toward protection in the Holy Land. The money provides help to universities, hospitals, protection and maintenance of holy sites and also the protection and welfare of pilgrims that come into the Holy Land.

With Christians, Jews and Muslims congregating in Jerusalem, protection is needed for religious icons.

“The order believes, and the Pope believes, there can be peace through cooperation and understanding between people of different faiths,” Rodi said. “Jerusalem, itself, is at the center of three major religions in the world. If we can have peace among those three, we could wind up with peace, at least, through the Middle East and maybe the world.”

Sir Ronald Troxler said members, normally recruited by priests, are asked to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

“You are asked to be committed for life,” he said. “Our donations do so much for education, medical and preservation of holy sites. That’s so important. Our motto is ‘Deus Lo Vult,’ which means ‘God wills it.’”

Troxler, a LaPlace resident, is, a member of the Knights of Columbus out of St. Joan of Arc Church. His family used to own Troxie Motel in LaPlace.

Devoted Catholics in St. John Parish interested in joining the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem can speak with any Catholic priest to express interest. The vetting process includes being approved by the priest, Archbishop Gregory Aymond and then the Pope. Troxler said he encourages local Catholics to join the order.

“Members of the order are very strong, true Catholics,” he said.

“They follow the Roman Catholic guidelines. We would like to see more people join, because there are more people who are worthy. One thing that I’m going to step up and do is get with Archbishop Aymond, and we’re going to try to approach the Parish priests to try to increase the recruiting.”

Troxler was knighted into the order two years ago. He and his wife, Lady Sheila Troxler, wanted to do help more and further their faith.

“Besides putting a check in an envelope for an organization just looking for money, we thought, ‘how else could we help?’” he said. “It was an honor to be asked to be a Knight and for my wife a Lady. During Mardi Gras, people always talk about royalty, but this order is true royalty. It comes from the Pope himself.”