NASSAU, Bahamas, April 26, 2019 — The Archdiocese of Nassau has announced that His Holiness Pope Francis has bestowed the honor of Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester on Ms. Marjorie Davis, who has had “an outstanding career as an educator, rising to rank of Director of Education in the Ministry of Education before retiring in 1988.”
A long-standing parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nassau, Ms. Davis “has given of her time, talent and treasure, serving in both Catholic and civic organizations in our community,” the Archdiocese noted in its announcement.
Describing Ms. Davis as “an exemplary Catholic and outstanding Bahamian,” the announcement added, “The purpose of the Order of Saint Sylvester is to recognize Catholic men and women, who have been outstanding in the faith and in their professional duties. The date for the investiture is to be announced.”
The Order of Saint Sylvester originally united with the Order of the Golden Spur and “was formally constituted on 7 February 1905 by Pope Saint Pius X in his motu proprio, Multum ad excitandos,” according to the Vatican website.
The website adds: “From that time, the united order became two orders, the Order of Saint Sylvester and the Order of the Golden Spur. Since the 1905 reforms of Pope Saint Pius X, the grades are, from highest to lowest, Knight Grand Cross (1st class), Knight Commander with Star (2nd class)*, Knight Commander (3rd class), and Knight (4th class). Since 1994 women have been admitted to the Order as Dames in the same grades and divisions as men. It was also Saint Pius X who gave Papal knights a place of honor in Papal processions and ecclesiastical ceremonies.”
Continuing, the website states: “As with all Orders of the Holy See, there is no set method of nomination for this Order. The Holy See is free to nominate and award in any manner in which she sees fit. However, awards of the Order of Saint Sylvester are typically made on the recommendation of Diocesan Bishops or Archbishops or Nuncios for special merit or service.”
