Investiture ceremony during health crisis revealed “the value of a resilient community”

Cardinal Reinhard Marx – Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy for Germany – presided over the Investiture ceremony of twenty-three new Knights and Dames in the Order

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Investitura Speyer

Attracting new members for our Order is a particular challenge in times of pandemic. Lieutenant Michael Schnieders was pleased that on 29 May the German Lieutenancy was at least able to offer a shortened version of the celebrations, which otherwise last several days, while still adhering to the health regulations. This time, the emphasis was exclusively on the solemn Investiture of the new members during a beautiful mass.

The Lieutenant emphasizes: “The organizers had to demonstrate maximum flexibility, since the restrictions imposed by the state and the municipalities changed several times during the planning.” The organizing delegation Regina Coeli in Spire / Kaiserslautern took up the challenge with equal joy and success: instead of the 500 to 800 participants who usually gathered for the Investiture ceremonies before the Covid pandemic, this time only 100 people were able to attend. The celebration in the Spire Cathedral was held in a simple but dignified manner in a single day, in observance of the rules of spacing and wearing the obligatory mask.

The approximately 1,400 other members who make up the Order in Germany – as well as relatives of the candidates who were unable to enter the cathedral due to limited numbers – had the opportunity to watch the Investiture ceremony from their home screens. The Catholic television station EWTN televised and streamed the celebration live directly from the church. The Delegations and home sections of the candidates held parallel smaller scale events in order to spiritually accompany the new members of the Order through prayer.

The ten Dames and thirteen Knights who received the Investiture of our Order were deeply moved and happy. The Lieutenant commented, “This time, we had to limit ourselves to the essentials of the ceremony. Although we regretted not being able to hold a reception or communal meal due to the pandemic, this essential part of the Investiture proved to be brighter than ever for all involved and for demonstrating the value of a community that can stand strong, supporting others even in difficult times.”

 

Article taken from a report submitted by Susanne Schumacher
Press Officer of the Lieutenancy for Germany

 

(October 2021)