London, September 2013. On Friday 27 September, Archbishop Vincent Nichols blessed a newly installed commemorative stone at Westminster Cathedral. This plaque commemorates the visit of Benedict XVI to the Cathedral, which was made during his state visit to the UK in 2010. The plaque was placed at the Cathedral’s West Door where the Holy Father made his inspiring address to the hundreds of young people gathered in the piazza.
During the solemn blessing, the Archbishop recalled the 2010 Papal visit and reminded those present that the now Pope Emeritus often called the Church to dialogue with the world. He also reflected on his own installation as Archbishop of Westminster in 2009 — when he knelt in prayer where the commemorative stone now lies. Archbishop Nichols said that it is from thresholds that invitations are made, and that the Cathedral’s threshold is a boundary between the noise and distraction of the world outside and the peace and serenity found inside the church. Before ending, the Archbishop reminded the congregation that the stone is meant to be walked on.
Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Administrator of Westminster Cathedral and Constantinian chaplain expressed his thanks to the Constantinian Order and the contributions made to the appeal by knights and dames of the Order.