Over one hundred members and their guests attended this year’s Autumn Reception, preceded by Holy Mass in Westminster Cathedral which was celebrated for the intention of the Society and its members, living and deceased.
His Eminence, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, welcomed the Society to Archbishop’s House, with the Throne Room filled to capacity. This year’s Guest Speaker was The Duke of Norfolk, President of the Society, who spoke to us about the great state occasions of the past two years in which he played a central role as Earl Marshal: the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
His Grace entertained us with recollections of the detailed planning and preparations for those events, commenced decades previously, emphasising the value of paying attention to detail and being able to call upon people who could assist in the task. In spite of The Duke’s humility, it was evident that the work involved was enormous and painstaking. His Grace stressed the role of beautiful ceremonial in uniting the nation at home and showcasing the UK on the world stage.
Cardinal Vincent thanked The Duke for his talk, and acknowledged the Society’s continuing support of Archbishop’s House as his residence and an important meeting place for the Roman Catholic Church. Alderman Vincent Keaveny, whose first Autumn Reception this was as Chairman, spoke warmly on behalf of the Society to announce Mary Goodwin as a Vice President, and he encouraged guests to complete their new membership subscriptions. The gathering then continued with a convivial reception until the close of the evening.
The Society of St Augustine of Canterbury 