Investiture in Olomouc, Czech Republic

This past weekend I traveled with His Eminence, Edwin Cardinal O'Brien (Grand Master of the Order) to Olomouc, Czech Republic where he Invested the Archbishop of Olomouc as the Grand Prior (the cleric - usually a bishop/archbishop who is in charge of the spiritual good of the members in his territory), 4 men as Knights, one woman as a Dame, and one priest, into the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.

It was the very first one for this brand new Magistral Delegation - and my first Investiture as well.

We arrived Friday evening in Vienna and from there made the 3-hour car ride into the Czech Republic and the city of Olomouc.  We arrived at the Archbishop's Palace - certainly from former days - were shown to our rooms, and had a very nice, light supper with the Archbishop.

Grand Stairway leading up to our rooms

One of the doors into the Archbishop's Palace

After a nice night in a "small" bed - but a WONDERFUL feather comforter, we had a nice, typical European breakfast - bread and coffee, cheese and meat, radishes and other vegetables - and then (after Mass in the archbishop's chapel) went walking around the town with the Archbishop.  Here's a whole slew of photos from our walk.  I'll caption as I can to say what the photos are...

The Archbishop's Chapel

The inside of the Jesuit Church

St. Michael's Church

This is actually a UNESCO site: 

the largest monument to the Holy Trinity

Church of St. Maurice

The Organ casing in the Church of St. Maurice

Outside of the Church of St. Maurice

As we walked along, we met some members of the Order - also out for a morning stroll around the town

Then we caught first glimpse of the Cathedral of St. Wenceslaus. 

Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Cathedral of St. Wenceslaus

That afternoon we officially Invested Archbishop Jan Grubner as the Grand Prior for the Magistral Delegation here in Olomouc.  Some photos of the Investiture...

The following day was the Investiture at the Cathedral of St. Wenceslaus in Olomouc.  Much to my surprise, I ended up acting as the M.C. for the event and the Mass - certainly the local Cathedral rector directed much of the liturgical "traffic" - but I handled things with Cardinal O'Brien.  The Cathedral was COLD!  I kept thinking of the many people at home who think the church is too cols (or too hot) - well, they should have been here - you just come prepared...  The music was beautiful - orchestra and a beautiful choir.  The Investiture and Mass was televised on Czech Catholic TV for all to see.  Here are some photos following the event (since I, of course, was busy).

Then, walking back to the Archbishop's Palace for a wonderful reception and to pack up for the trip home, I couldn't help but snap this candid photo of the Cardinal and Archbishop walking along...

It was a long weekend, but a great first experience of an Investiture.