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THE SEPTEMBER INVESTITURE, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 16:27
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 16:27
The Grand Priory of England, Wales, Isle of Man and Channel Islands of The Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
THE DECORATION, PROMOTION AND INVESTITURE OF KNIGHTS, DAMES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ORDER
September 26th 2009
The Investiture this September was another great occasion, with a record attendance over a third of the Order’s membership. As usual, members of the public were most welcome to attend, and come and go as they wished. The ceremonial team arrived at 8am to practice the various parts of the service, the order of procession, and the drill of flag bearing and dipping. The weather was dry, if not fine, coffee from “Be Be’s” by the Hospital purchased, and some of the more hungry members were told off for eating hot bacon rolls in the Church. The cloister is now a cafeteria, necessitating preparations to be made in the Lady Chapel of the Church. Today had a busier schedule than many before.
The service was conducted by The Reverend Father Paul Bagott ChLJ, Chaplain to the Commandery of Westminster. The Tenebrae Choir under the direction of Nigel Short provided sublime renditions of ‘Non nobis Domine’ - Trad. arr. Pearmain), ‘Gloria’, first movement – Vivaldi, and ‘Ave Verum’ –Mozart, with the organ and trumpeters of the Priory Church. In the setting of the Investiture, these possessed added warmth and spirituality over and above mere performances of music.
This service was special for several reasons. Firstly a new Knight of Grace was invested, and for the first time the Service Cross was awarded to those who had served the Order for ten years. In this year the Order has added ten new members.
After the service, a luncheon was held at Butcher’s Hall. During this, a cheque for £2,500 was presented to Mr Steve Hudd, the chief fundraiser for the Ellenor Lions Hospice at Gravesend, Kent for the purchase of hoist slings. In his thanks, Mr Hudd stressed the importance that Hospices place in close and long term relationships with fundraising organisations such as the Order and especially individuals within them. He kindly offered any member of the Order assistance wishing to know more, or work with the Hospice movement.
The Investiture
A trumpet fanfare and the glorious voices of the Tenebrae Choir accompanied the processions of the Deputy Chancellor, the Clergy, and the Investing Officers into the Church. Today was a busy schedule for the decoration, promotion and investiture of Knights, Dames, and other members of the Order.
The Master General:
Appointed Commanders of Commanderies: Consœur Bridget Whiting Commander of Richmond, Confrère Adrian Jones as Commander of Westminster Commandery, and Confrère Karl Debenham as Commander of the new Colchester Commandery.
Dedicated the Commandery Banner of Colchester.
Invested Past Commander colarettes to Chevalier Donald Maclean and Surgeon Commander Trevor Dutt.
Invested Postulants with the rank of member: Veronica Last, Frank Powell, Robert Gardner, David Reading.
Advanced and Installed a Knight. Captain Richard Sheridan, an Officer in the Companion of Merit, and dedicated the Knights Banner.
Promoted to the rank of Commander Consœur Bridget Whiting, Confrère Dankward Schckentanz, Confrère Adrian Jones and Confrère Karl Debenham.
Awarded and invested with the Service Cross of the Order: Chevalier Donald Maclean, Chevalier Richard Horton, Chevalier David Morris, Chevalier William Faragher, & Doctor Rosemary Waddy.
Awarded the Silver Oak leaf of Merit to Confrère Helmut Palz.
Bestowed the Officer in the Companionate of Merit (Civilian Division) on Confrère Benjamin Fisher in recognition of his service to the Order.
On the conclusion of the Ceremony of Investiture of Postulants, Advancements, Promotions and Awards, in a solemn moment of reflection, all members dedicated themselves afresh to the Order and its purpose, and voiced the prayer:
“O Almighty God, who hast chosen us to be an Order of Knights under the blessed protection of Saint Lazarus, give us Thy servants grace truly to perform the solemn vows and promises made by us at our Investiture, so that the work of our Hospitaller Order may go from strength to strength, in perfect obedience to Thy will, and grant that we, in full devotion to Thee and abounding in neighbourly charity may show ourselves invincible under Thy banner, remaining faithful unto death, through Jesus Christ, our Lord AMEN”
After the National Anthem, the service was concluded with the recession of the Officers of the Order and its banners.
The Knights in Council and Members of the Grand Priory of England, Wales, Isle of Man and Channel Islands express their sincere thanks to the Rector, the Churchwardens, the Choir and Trumpeters of the Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great for their generous hospitality and kindness.
A Celebration of 15 years.
The 31st Investiture will be held on Saturday September 25th 2010 in the Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew’s at Smithfield, London. The service will include the Tenebrae Choir directed by Nigel Short, with the organ and trumpeters of the Priory Church.
Members of the public are most welcome to join us in our celebration and prayers. Contact the Secretary General to ensure a place.
Saint Lazarus Ladies Adidas Women's 5km Challenge September 5th 2010
If you want to join us on a (we promise!) fun day with 15,000 women of ages, please email us asking for a form. £15 will cover entry and a £5 donation to the Saint Lazarus Hospice Association. The run finishes with a well earned lunch and glass of wine or two at a local restaurant.
Continuing the celebration of 15 years of charitable work, the Order is holding a Charity Ball, with reels and a stupendous auction of promises on the November 11th in aid of the Saint Lazarus Hospice Association. Email for details.