This was the very special day when Sr. Rose Devlin, who was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) received her shining insignia in person from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. She was accompanied by Sr. Catriona Gore of the Magherafelt community. They were warmly welcomed by the community of St. Gabriel’s road – Srs. Kathleen, Margaret and Marie – where they spent the nights before and after the event, and from where they were sent off to Buckingham Palace by taxi on the auspicious day.
The dress code for these ceremonies is quite strict but simple. Ladies are required to wear dresses/skirts that are knee length or below and a hat, or perhaps we should say headgear, because most seem to prefer fascinators nowadays. Comparisons with how recent, and not so recent, lady visitors – heads of states or spouses of same - to the Pope comply with Vatican protocol in this respect are interesting.
On her return to Ireland, accompanied by Kathleen, Rose stopped at Griffith Downs where an account of the ceremony was again related and the medal displayed and examined. In Newbridge, where Rose is currently staying, the whole community and staff were assembled to welcome and congratulate her.
As we rejoice with Rose on her reception of this honour, we also congratulate and thank all who worked with and supported her in achieving it from her earliest days in the Holy Family. We are what we are through others and, as we are becoming more aware nowadays, through all the interaction of life and matter in the cosmos.