We were all grieving over the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but King Charles III's official pronouncement had a comforting undertone of formality and unwavering tradition. As I was participating in a long-planned "History Walk" with seminarians from the Westminster diocesan seminary at Allen Hall, I just so happened to witness it from a bridge across the Thames. In addition to seriousness, the sound of the cannons pounding, the smoke billowing over the sea, and the rebounding sound throughout the city created a sense of continuity: here was Britain, a new chapter beginning, and we were marking it to be remembered for years to come.
As a result, there was shock and understandable sorrow when it was revealed this year that the king was getting cancer treatment, and then there was more news when Princess Catherine was admitted to the hospital for surgery. Then, when the princess revealed that she, too, required cancer treatment with her customary humility and naturalness, it was as though all of our hearts broke open, and an extraordinary outpouring of love and devotion spread across the nation. Prayers in churches, many emails, letters, and cards sent to Kensington Palace, as well as a remarkable feeling of solidarity as people converse and show love and concern in stores, at bus stops, and in everyday interactions with neighbors, have all contributed to the coming together of people.
In addition to being incredibly well-liked, Princess Catherine and Prince William are regarded as standing for something essential, lovely, and moral: a contented family life combined with a sense of duty and a conviction in doing the right thing.
There will be an enormous volume of prayers said. The crowning of the king served as a reminder that the foundation of our nation's constitutional structure is a Christian monarchy. Not only is the princess a well-known figure, but she is also our future queen, nurturing the next generation. This offers us a sense of national cohesion that goes well beyond politics and the concerningly vitriolic and vicious "culture wars" of today. It connects us to our past and constantly guides us toward pursuing the welfare of all. The princess herself has grown in popularity as a result of her ability to play the part with grace, charm, and good humor over the years. She is adored greatly.
As churches do all throughout the world, we make a list of everyone who is ill and has requested for our prayers at the bustling London parish where I attend Mass. Along with all of our own sick parishioners, the king has been on the list since the day his illness was first revealed. Princess Catherine has now been added as well. Their story and ours as a parish and community are intertwined. The world's media will show the monarch attending a church service at Windsor on Easter morning. We will be happy to have that brought back to our homes, because in some way we feel that our relationship with him is sacrosanct, based on something priceless in a nation with deeply ingrained Christian values that require ongoing renewal.
We Brits pray for everyone who is ill, including King Charles and Princess Catherine, throughout this week of Holy Week.
"May the Mother of Jesus... hear the cry of this great suffering, dry the tears of those in pain, and be at the side of all the sick people in the world," prayed St. John Paul II. Dear sick friends, may the Holy Virgin give her Son an offering of your sufferings that reflects the face of Christ on the cross.