This year sees the 25th anniversary of the first OMV pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1974 and consequently 1999 is the year of our silver jubilee. To celebrate this fact and all that has been achieved over the past quarter of a century, a birthday party was held at St Mary’s Shaftesbury, from where so many of our members have come, on 23rd October 1999.
The event was masterminded by Rob Carson, newly appointed to the role of Volunteers Liaison Officer, ably assisted by Paddy Lynch and Will Loden and various others too numerous to mention, but who all played a significant part in ensuring that the whole event ran smoothly.
The programme began with a Thanksgiving Mass (late, in true OMV style, but that didn’t matter) offered by Dom Luke Jolly, Prior of Worth and a Chaplain of the OMV. Dom Philip Jebb, Prior of Downside and a founder member of the OMV preached the sermon. In his sermon, Dom Philip praised the work of the OMV; in particular, the care it shows to the HPs and its willingness to take on new ideas and ventures. It was also a valedictory sermon in that Dom Philip announced that due to recent ill health and other commitments he was laying down his mantle as an OMV chaplain after twenty five years, but may return one day as an HP. The music was provided by the OMV choir under Graham Denny, who performed to their usual high standard, accompanied by Alastair Tighe on the organ. It was a beautiful occasion and the necrology read by Stephen Macklow-Smith, was particularly moving. It showed the OMV at its very best and summed up what is at the heart of our objective “Strength to lift up the part of the burden of our suffering fellow-man and a true realisation of the privilege that is ours”.
After Mass, there was a champagne reception together with a birthday cake, which was admired and consumed later. Both Sebastian Bailey, Chairman of the OMV and Charles Weld, Chancellor of the Order made speeches. In his speech, the Chancellor praised the work of the OMV, in particular the continuing success of the White Knights Ball. He stressed how proud the Order is to be associated with the OMV and raised a toast .
A dinner of good English cooking, coloured by an Italian twist, followed – Elizabeth David would have been appreciative – which was enjoyed by all. Seating was done by ages and allowed the assembled company to relax and enjoy themselves in a convivial atmosphere.
It was after the dinner that the main part of the evening apropos the lighter side of the OMV, began. There was dancing with a band and disco which many availed themselves of; whilst all around the bar and “chill-out” rooms could be spotted huddles of OMV.
The whole event passed off extremely smoothly and was great fun. Whilst it was organised at rather short notice (eight weeks) all those involved pulled together to ensure that the OMV 25th will go down in the annals as a wholehearted success.
John Tabor
4th November 1999