The service, attended by His Majesty King Charles III, brought together representatives from various Christian traditions, including the German Lutheran and Jesuit communities, reflecting the chapel's rich and diverse religious heritage.
Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, parish priest of the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, was honoured to deliver a Latin blessing during the ceremony. He remarked:
“For me, this was a moment of great significance for our parish of Farm Street and for our mission as Jesuits in London. Being invited so warmly to give the blessing in Latin alongside the Bishop of London, praying for the living and the dead and in particular for the King and Commonwealth, marked just how far the relationship between our two churches has now come.”
Reflecting on the historical context, Fr Dominic added:
“I couldn't help but think back to St Claude la Colombière, who as the resident chaplain at St James's Palace from 1675–78 did so much diplomatically at that time of religious war to pave the way for the unity and peace we now share as true friends journeying together in hope. It is clear to me also that this is not lost on His Majesty The King who in our short conversation afterwards confirmed the warmth of this welcome and support for our growing ecumenical friendship as churches together.”
The Queen’s Chapel, designed by Inigo Jones in 1623, was initially intended for the Roman Catholic Infanta Maria Anna of Spain. Although the proposed marriage to King Charles I did not take place, the chapel was later used by Queen Henrietta Maria of France, a Catholic, bringing Roman Catholic priests and a bishop to England. Over the centuries, the chapel served various denominations, including Dutch Reformed, French Huguenot, German Lutheran, and Danish congregations, before being absorbed into the Chapels Royal in 1938.
The Latin blessing delivered by Fr Dominic was as follows:
“Concede, Deus, vivis gratiam et requiem defunctis atque Ecclesiae et Regi pacem concordiamque Reipublicae et cunctis hominibus ac nobis vitam aeternam peccatoribus. Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, sit apud vos et maneat semper. Amen.”
Translated into English:
“God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, The King, the Commonwealth, and all mankind peace and concord; and to us sinners, life everlasting; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be among you and remain with you always. Amen.”
This event stands as a testament to the progress made in ecumenical relations and the Jesuits' ongoing commitment to fostering unity among Christian denominations.
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