More than one hundred members and their guests attended this year’s Autumn Reception, following Holy Mass in Westminster Cathedral which was celebrated for the intention of the Society and its members, living and deceased.
His Grace, Archbishop Richard Moth, welcomed the Society to Archbishop’s House and he joined Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE KStJ KCSG KGCHS, Chairman of the Society, in introducing this year’s Guest Speaker; Father Patrick van der Vorst, a priest of the Diocese of Westminster, Precentor at Westminster Cathedral and founder of Christian.Art.
Fr Patrick opened his talk by recounting the life of Saint Augustine of Canterbury and the role of the crucifix and icon in shaping the welcome given by, and subsequent conversion of, King Ethelbert of Kent. Fr Patrick went on to speak eloquently of the sweeping history of the embracing of art and imagery in Christianity, including the pivotal role of Saint John Damascene.
As the foundation of his own Christian art ministry today, Fr Patrick alluded to the Incarnation of Our Lord, with human artistic expression and creativity called to participate in making the divine visible. In echo to Hans Urs von Balthasar, beauty is often an inroad to the ultimate truth and goodness of Faith.
After Fr Patrick had answered several wide-ranging questions from the audience, Alderman Keaveny led the gathering in warmly thanking our Guest Speaker. The Chairman went on to acknowledge all members who had generously supported Appeal 2026 so far, and he encouraged the evening’s guests and families to sign up for membership of the Society.
In his closing words, Archbishop Richard underlined the service of Archbishop’s House in the mission of the Diocese of Westminster and beyond, as the very focus of Appeal 2026. The gathering then continued with a convivial reception in the presence of His Grace.
