Cornelius Begley, principal of St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, was among 120 Catholic men and women invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem’s Eastern Lieutenancy of the United States during the order’s annual investiture Mass held Nov. 23 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, grand prior of the order’s Eastern Lieutenancy, was principal celebrant of the Mass and homilist.

The Holy Sepulchre order is dedicated to supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and responding to the needs of Catholics in the Holy Land.

“It is a great honor to become a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre,” Begley said. “I Have always believed strongly that every person has a duty and obligation to help others. It is a privilege to help assist the charitable and social works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.

Born in Fayetteville, N.C., Begley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Upon is graduation he was commissioned as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army. His final duty assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, where he first served as a target acquisition platoon leader in charge of all radar and survey equipment and then as battalion adjutant responsible for all matters of personnel and general administrative procedures for the 411-person battalion. After sustaining a severe shoulder injury, he was honorably discharged and decided to pursue a career in Catholic education.

Following his military service, Begley joined the faculty of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, teaching mathematics and physics. He also served as the school’s student council advisor and scuba club moderator.

Begley, who holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University, South Orange, became vice principal of St. Leo the Great School in 2009 and was named principal in 2012.

Begley, who is married to his wife, Jayme, is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and member of the Father McGivney Council. He also volunteers as a handicapped scuba instructor; an emergency medical technician; a disaster assistance volunteer with the American Red Cross and a Basic Life Support instructor for the American Heart Association.

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre traces its origins back to 1099 and is among the oldest orders in the Church. Its name derives from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was built over the site of the Crucifixion and burial place of Jesus and where members of the order were knighted during its early years.

Admission to the order recognizes outstanding service to the Church. Candidates are invited to membership with the approval of their diocesan bishop and pastor, and, upon their investiture as knights and ladies, may use the titles of sir and lady.

Today, the mission of the order is religious and charitable. Members must commit to work to maintain a Christian presence in the Holy Land through prayer and financial support of its churches, schools and other Catholic institutions. In their daily lives, they must strive to exemplify Catholic ethical principals and offer daily prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

In addition to Begley, six priests of the diocese were also invested into the order by Cardinal Dolan: Father John T. Folchetti, pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, and chaplain in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Father Michael Lankford; Father Daniel Peirano, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Long Branch; Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, and director of the diocesan Office of Worship; Father Alberto Tamayo, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, and Father Ian Trammell, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and diocesan director of pilgrimages.